CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22345, 8 March 1938, Page 20

CITY THEATRES

MAYFAIR "LANCER SPY" "Lancer Spy," the Twentieth Century Fox picture, which will begin a season at the Mayfair Theatre next Friday, is characterised by realism that makes it one of the most interesting spy stories yet screened. Dolores Del Rio, George Sanders, and Peter Lorre are featured. The most extraordinary venture a courageous man ever faced, with one chance in a thousand that he would ever return, this untold spy story of the great war is brought to vivid life by the performance of George Sanders. Outstanding in the cast are Virginia Field, Sig Rumann, Joseph Schildkraut. Maurice Moscovitch, Lionel Atwill, and Luther Adler, in supporting roles typical of their talent. In a new romantic role, the tall, husky Sanders finds a traitorous woman in love with him. finds himself deDending upon this love of a woman whose business is betrayal. The scene is Berlin, during the darkest hours of the war. and Sanders is a British naval officer daringly impersonating a member of the German high command. So bold a front does he put on his exploit, that he deceives even the closest friends of the captured German officer, and is decorated by the Kaiser in a colourful ceremony following a Danube waltz festival. If he lived, this daring British secret agent sitting in tne uniform of a Prussian lancer, with the German high command, could strike a deadlier blow than 1.000.000 marching men. If he succeeded, it meant heartbreak; if he failed, the firing squad. "Breakfast for Two," which is showing at the Mayfair Theatre this week, is a brilliant comedy romance. The film is successful from every point of view. Barbara Stanwyck, Herbert Marshall. Eric Blore, and Glenda Farrell are the leading players, and all of them show that they appreciate their roles by the lively manner in which -they take them.

CRYSTAL PALACE DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME Burlesque, crisp wit, and romance are mixed in an entertaining manner in "Fit For ft Xing," which is showing this week at the Crystal Palace Theatre. Joe E. Brown, the largemouthed comedian, is shown at his merriest. I Plot development is a feature of "Dangerously Yours," a picture on the same programme, in which Cesar Romero, a suave actor, and Phyllis Brooks, a polished and charming actress, are the leading players The story is exceptionally well told, CIVIC «OH, MR PORTER" Will Hay has the leading role in "Oh, Mr Porter," which is now at the Civic Theatre. He has the part of stationmaster at the remote station of Buggleskelly, in Ireland. Hay is assisted by Albert and Old Harbottle, played by Graham Moffatt and Moore Marriott. Will Hay, as Mr Porter, is introduced as a wheel-tapper to an assembly of a railway company's directors and contrives to drench the whole dignified gathering. The associate feature, Non Stop New York," is a story of an Atlantic flight, during which the innocence of a condemned. man is established. AVON "THE PRISONER OF ZENDA" "The Prisoner of Zenda," which is in its third week at the Avon Theatre, shows realistic swordplay, fast action, a fine series of beautiful scenes, and contains one of the most romantic love stories ever screened. The story by Anthony Hope is well known, and should in itself mark the picture as good. The acting leaves nothing to be desired. The inclusion in the cast of such names as Ronald Colman, Douglas Fairbanks, jun., C. Aubrey Smith. Madeleine Carroll, Raymond Massey, David Niven, and Mary Astor should be a sufficient guarantee of talented performances.

PLAZA DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME A double-feature programme, "Murder in Greenwich Village," and "Fly Away Baby," is at the Plaza Theatre this week. Breath-taking action and side-split-ting comedy combine to make excellent entertainment out of "Murder in Greenwich Village" "Fly Away Baby" deals with a race round the world. A rich jeweller is found murdered in his office and Glenda Farrell gets into the building to get the news for her newspaper. The private life of a pair of gamblers provides the unusual and entertaining theme of "Don't Gamble With Love," the new Columbia comedydrama, which will open at the Plaza on Friday, with Ann Sothern and Bruce Cabot in the leading roles. On the same programme will be "The High Command," a stirring adaptation of Lewis Robinson's powerful dramatic romance, "The General Goes Too Far." It is the story of a small band of Britishers in a far-flung outpost of the Empire.

STATE "ACTION FOR SLANDER" Clive Brook gives a masterly performanie in "Action For Slander," the picture at the State Theatre this week in which the three essentials of a firstclass entertainment— suspense, action, and humour—are combined. The picture is chiefly notable for the return of Brook, who has been absent from films sufficiently long to be sorely missed. The story unfolds with an absorbing development of detail which mak»s it important not to miss one move in the plot. Everything revolves about an unfortunate game of poker at an English country house. Clive Brook, as Major Daviot, is accused of cheating. PREMIER, NEW BRIGHTON Two attractions comprise the new bill which will begin a three-night season at the Premier, New Brighton tonight. "Three Men -On a Horse" is an uproarious comedy of the race track, and stars Frank McHugh and Joan Blondell. The second attraction is a clever comedy, "As Good. As Married," and John Boles and Doris Nolan aye the featured players, with Alan .Mowbray and Sala Bircle in support,