CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22936, 5 February 1940, Page 2

CITY THEATRES

STATE STANLEY AND LIVINGSTONE “The greatest adventure known to man,” the caption used to describe the 20th Century Fox film “Stanley and Livingstone,” is justified by the content of the film. This is a masterpiece of production - that no British citizen should miss, and there is no need to, as it is continuing its season at the State. “Dr, Livingstone, I presume?” This is how Henry M. Stanley quietly greeted Dr. David Livingstone in the depths of unknown Africa, and it is now one of the most famous greetings in history. The film has a wonderful cast, including Spencer Tracy, twice winner of the Academy award, Nancy Kelly, Richard Greene, Walter Brennan, Charles Coburn, and Sir Cedric Hardwicke.

CRYSTAL PALACE

NEW CHARLIE CHAN FILM Even the most hardened of filmgoers will not fail to be thrilled by “Charlie Chan at Treasure Island,” which is now at the Crystal Palace Theatre, with “Chicken Waggon Family.” With Sidney Toler in the main role the cast contains a number of talented actors and actresses. Quick-moving action throughout, with the San Francisco World Fair as a background, kept the audience in a constant state of tension which was relieved by many flashes of brilliant humour. “Chicken Waggon Family” is a light comedy with Jane Withers as the star. Part of the life of the family is spent in an old covered waggon drawn by a pair of mules.

AVON

“THE FOUR JUST MEN” A thoroughly satisfying story from Edgar Wallace is the basis of “The Four Just Men,” now showing at the Avon Theatre. This film stars four first-class actors and- two actresses without in any way disclosing their identities in the credit announcements or in the advertising of the film. The effect of this is to make the action of the film seem less like fiction and more like events in a good newsreel. The film deals with a spy plot.

MAYFAIR

“IN NAME ONLY” It is a long time since, Hollywood studios gave Kay Francis a sympathetic part to. play: it is the knd of compliment that most actresses would rather not receive. Once’ more, in the new RKO Radio film, “In Name Only,” now showing at the Mayfair, Kay Francis has to play the part of a woman for whom few members of the audience will feel sympathy—the woman who has married a man because of his money and who will not let him be free when he wishes to marry another. LIBERTY

DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME

The Liberty Theatric offers a marvellous programme now, consisting of “Here LAm a Stranger,” transferred direct from the Mayfair, and “Susannah of the Mounties,” Shirley Temple’s masterpiece of 1939, already seen by hundreds here, and likely to be seen again by many of those. Richard Greene plays his first great starring role in “Here I am a Stranger,” Well-remembered by his .triumph in “Kentucky,” this young British actor has again shown his capability in this daringly significant drama of modern life. Playing opposite him is Brenda Joyce, a new star, who made a successful entry to films recently in “The Rains Came.”

PLAZA

DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME

A new and different sort of musical comedy, “The Garden of the Moon,” is now showing at the Plaza Theatre, starring the ever-popular Pat O’Brien with Margaret Lindsay, and a new screen “find,” John Payne. The second feature. "She .Married a Cop,” is another amusing comedy starring Phil Regan, Jean Parker.and Dorothy. Kent.

CHRISTCHURCH CINEMAS, LIMITED

“First Love,” starring Deanna Durbin, is now at the Regent. “Gone to the Dogs”- (George Wallace) is now at the Majestic. “China Seas,” with Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, Wallace Beery, and Rosalind Russell, is now showing at the Tivoli. “Ready, Willing, and Able,” with Ruby Keeler, Lee Dixon, and Louise Fazenda, and “Fugitives in the Sky” (Jean Muir and Warren Hull) are now 1 at the Grand. Laurel and Hardy in “Our Relations” and Gene Autry in “Boots and Saddles” are now at St. James.