CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22414, 30 May 1938, Page 15

CITY THEATRES

FINE PICTURE FOR REOPENING “SAILING ALONG” TO BEGIN TO-DAY JESSIE MATTHEWS IN DANCING SCENES AT CIVIC “Sailing Along” has been selected for the reopening of the Civic Theatre which has been fixed for to-day. No more fitting production could have been chosen to open a successful season, for the star is Jessie Matthews, who has won great favour among audiences throughout the Dominion. This talented actress has now many notable productions to her credit, including the now famous “Evergreen,” in which, with Sonnie Hale, she showed her talent as a dancer and also in vocal numbers. It may fairly be claimed, however, that she shows greater finish in “Sailing Along,” and that she has lost none of her simplicity of. manner. Never has Jessie Matthews, the British star, had better opportunities to display her famous and dancing talents and her well-known versatility than in “Sailing Along.” She is supported by Roland Young and Barry Mackay. Cast as the adopted daughter of a bargee who becomes a famous dancer, Jessie Matthews has as partner in the dancing sequences Jack Whiting, a newcomer to the British screen. He is well known in America, where he has had considerable stage and screen experience, and while in England, playing the lead in “Anything Goes” during the illness of Leslie Henson, was chosen by Jessie Matthews as her first dancing partner on the screen. Jessie Matthews, as well as performing some novel dances, has several news ongs to sing in this film, which is notable also for its exploitation of English scenery. Beautifui parts of the Thames Valley form the background of some of the scenes, others being filmed in the dockyard area, where Jessie Matthews will be seen at the hel mof a sailing barge. Altogether, “Sailing Along” is excellent entertainment, which will appeal to varied tastes.

MAYFAIR “IN OLD CHICAGO” COMING ‘.‘ln Old Chicago,” Darryl F. Zanuck’s 20th Century-Fox film production, coming to the Mayfair, is one of the finest films of the year. The story of the lives and loves of a mid-Weat pioneer family, which is depicted with the Chicago fire of 1871 as a dramatic background, co-stars Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, and Don Ameche. Critics have praised very highly the consummate skill of producer, cast, and director of this film. Henry King, one of the outstanding directors, wove the many vital factors if the Niven Busch story, “We, the O’Leary’," into the film. The screen play was prepared by Lamar Trotti and Sonva Levien. "The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel,” now in its second week at the Mayfair, captures to the full the atmosphere of the novels. Its popularity can be judged fronr the need to extend the season. Barry Barnes, new to the screen, but well known on the English stage, is admirably cast as Sir Percy. AVON « MARKED WOMAN ” Few more dramatic stories have been filmed for the screen than that of “Marked Woman," which began its Christchurch season at the Avon Theatre on Friday. Its dramatic quality does not depend on the piling of exciting happening on exciting happening. It deals with gangsters, and attains a startling intensity without the aid of sudden shootings and underworld upheavals. Mostly it is a study in character, and to the observant filmgoer it is also a study in excellent acting. Bette Davis, already known as one of the screen’s best character actresses, gives a superb performance. She is a night-club hostess, whose work comes under the control of a racketeer, a quiet-spoken and very businesslike villain far removed from the ordinary screen villain. CRYSTAL PALACE “WALKING DOWN BROADWAY” AND “CONDEMNED WOMEN” Two films are featured on the programme which opened a season on Friday at the Crystal Palace Theatre—- “ Walking Down Broadway” and “Condemned Women.” They offer wellvaried entertainment. “Walking Down Broadway” presents a year in the life of six chorus girls of Broadway, and this is a good mixture of comedy and drama. * PLAZA “SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT” AND “MIDNIGHT MARAUDER” Two outstanding films are being shown at the Plaza this week. They are “Midnight Marauder,” starring Louis Hayward, and “Something to Sing About,” starring James Cagney. “Midnight Marauder” is a film with an unusual story—a story, by the way, which at times is given a pleasant comic twist. It is particularly acceptable because it does not attempt to glorify anything. CHRISTCHURCH CINEMAS, LIMITED Luise Rainer and Spencer Tracy are the'stars of the gripping drama “Big City,” which is now showing, at the Regent Theatre. There is a very strong cast, headed by James Stewart, Robert Young, Billie Burke, and Lionel Barrymore, in the naval film, “Navy. Blue and Gold.” which, with the Laurel and Hardy comedy, “The County Hospital,” is at the Majestic Theatre. Transferred from the Regent, “Topper,” the Thorne Smith comedy, starring Constance Bennett, Cary Grant, and Roland- Young, is now at the Tivoli. The double-feature attraction at the Liberty is headed by “Seventh Heaven,” with Simone Simon and James Stewart. “Windbag the Sailor,” with Will Hay, will also be screened. A gangster film, “Don’t Turn ’Em Loose,” and “Two in Revolt” are showing at the Grand Theatre.