AMUSEMENTS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 132, 11 January 1939, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

“HAWAII CALLS” A great passenger liner steams past jutting Diamond Head and glides slowly into the harbour of Honolulu; the orchestra of the famous Royal Hawaiian Hotel plays a welcome* on the dock, ' and a native girl sings “Aloha. Oc,” classic Island song of greeting; two ten-year-old boys, one ■white iulcL one brown, poise on the lofty rail of the steamship and leap into the water among the* chattering Hawaiian youngsters who dive for coins thrown overboard! by passengers; colourful flower leis are placed about the necks of the incoming travellers; gaiety reigns under the sparkling tropical sun.

Thus opens the main portion of the story of “Haiwaii Calls,” Bobby Breen’s latest musical which screens at the Do Luxe Theatre to-night, Thursday and Friday. Bobby and Pua Lani, as. two- San Francisco street gamins, have arrived in Honolulu as stowaways, and escape by diving into the harbour as the ship approaches the dock. Discovered soon after the liner has. left San Francisco, the hoys have been befriended by Ned Sparks, tippling member of the ship’s orchestra, and at his suggestion have adopted the only available means of escaping to shore. Sought by thcf police, they are_ the centre of many laughable adventures, in which they are soon joined by the well-meaning Spflrk.s. Allien he dually misses his ship lie capitulates to the charm of the- island paradise, and becomes a temporary Hawaiian by adoption. Later the boys are principal figures in a tensely dramatic hunt for a band of criminals, and the climax of the story finds Bobby embarking on a new life.

Tlie singing of Bobby Breen, vocal sensation of screen and radio, is a feature of this colourful picture, dining the course of which lie is heard in six songs, including classic favourites of Hawaii, and also such new hits as ‘‘Haiwaii Calls,” ‘ Down Where the Trade Winds Blow,” and “That’s' the Hawaiian in Me,” all specially mitten for tho picture.’The music is unusually haunting, being supplied by Raymond Paige and his orchcstia, who are featured, in addition to numerous native musicians.