CURRENT FILMS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 141, 27 March 1948, Page 3

CURRENT FILMS

ST. JAMES THEATRE “Cloak and Dagger,” initial production of the newly formed United States Pictures, Inc., is the attraction at the St. James Theatre to-night. Starring Gary Cooper, featuring Robert Alda and the famous European actress, Lilli Palmer, the thriller tells the exciting story of what happens when a mildtempered man of knowledge is faced with the sudden need to become a man of action. Gary Cooper is cast -in the new drama as Alvah Jesper, professor in a small American university, happy m his scientific work and completely integrated into a. quiet life composed of work, occasional relaxation and the numerous, unimportant details that go to make up any normally placid, peaceloving existence. But, when it becomes suddenly necessary for Jespei to put this life behind him snd, almost overnight, to engage in the highly dangerous pursuit of unseen and powerful adversaries, the easy-going professor proves himself more than equal to the occasion and every bit the popular conception of a hero, a man of brawn, courage and deepest valour. All three attributes are needed in good measure, too, before Jesper manages to conclude his quest, an exciting saga which begins with the search for one Katerin Lodor (Helene Thirnig), continues through his betrayal by the beautiful Ann Dawson (Marjorie Hoshelle), through the ever-present threat of murder, to the discovery of an unexpected source of aid in the person of Pinkie (Robert Alda) and, last but not leaet, to the realisation of a stirring romance with Gina (Lilli Palmer).