CURRENT FILMS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 75, 8 January 1949, Page 3

CURRENT FILMS

ST. JAMES THEATRE

Tlie part two men play in a woman’s life motivates the screen drama “Tomorrow is Forever,” now playing at the St. James Theatre. Starring Claudette Colbert, Orson Welles and George Brent, the picture presents a surge of critical dilemmas trying the soul of the woman.

The heroine is played by Miss Colbert, who just before the birth of her son is supposedly widowed. She marries George Brent to make a home for her son. But her first husband, played by Welles, is still alive, having decided better to let her forget him than to rejoin her as a disfigured wreck. Under an assumed identity, twenty years after, he comes in contact with his family. Unrecognisable to his wife and son, he finds, that the boy has made his mother heartbroken by a desire to go to war. How the returned husband skilfully reconciles the lad to his mother and foster father, leads to a climax in which he is challenged by the mother’s aroused suspicion of his identity.

“THE RILEY SHOW” Fast-moving comedy, blended _ with instrumental, vocal and novelty items comprise “The Riley Show,” which will he staged at the St. James Theatre ncx t: Jack Riley, the leader of the company carries' a great deal of the work on his shoulders and he is undoubtedly the star of the show. His jokes, few of which are unsuitable for any drawing-room, draw many a laugh and confirm his billing as “King of Komics.”

A tap dancing routine by Betty Richards commences the programme and the playing of several popular classics by the violinist, Cyril Pascoe, is heard during the evening. Such popular overseas artists as Bonnie Baker, Deanna Durbin, Lena Horne and Jane Powell are impersonated by Kay Cargill, Mr Riley’s daughter. A further performer in the cast is Mervin Smith, a lad in his early teens, who presents several items in true Yorkshire fashion. The tenor, Pat Johns, renders several well-known tunes during the programme, while another vocalist in both serious and lighter items is Sylvia Pointer. Pauline Hastie gives performances in the more modern style. One of the highlights on the programme is undoubtedly the sleight of hand of an eiitertainer known as Medini, who does some amazingly clever work plucking lighted cigarettes from thin air and manipulating playing cards, all the while keeping up a novel type of patter which should keep the audience chuckling. Another clever number is the club swinging of Joan Bullen. Her clubs are electrically lit and on a darkened stage she produces some fascinating effects with them.