CURRENT FILMS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 107, 16 February 1948, Page 5

CURRENT FILMS

ST. JAMES THEATRE Warner Bros.’ film adaptation of James Cain’s gripping tale of troubled life, “Mildred Pierce,” will be shown finally to-night at the St. James Theatre with Joan Crawford, Zachary Scott and Jack Carson in the leading roles. When Mildred Pierce separates from her husband after many unsettled years of marriage, her intense ambition for her children results in a feverish campaign to provide them with the luxuries to which she is cerlaiu they are entitled. Blind to the ingratitude of her older daughter, the spoiled and snobbish Veda (played hv Ann Blyfli), Mildred lights iier way from a bottom-rung spot as a waitress in a Hollywood cafe to the position ol proprietress of a chain of eating places, with the business aid of Wally Faye, and the initial assistance of Monty Beragon, who provides her with the land site for her first restaurant. Veda, Monty and Wally become increasingly demanding. When Mildred marries Monty, it is to provide the grasping Veda, with an impressive home and name. Expertly capturing the mood and locale of middle-class Southern California and acciiralely describing the double-dialling proclivities of the varied and colourful characters with whom James Cain has peopled his story “Mildred Pierce” on the screen is an exciting, deeply moving experience.