CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23004, 26 April 1940, Page 6

CITY THEATRES

* LIBERTY “HOTEL FOR WOMEN” AND “CITY IN DARKNESS” “Hotel for Women,” which opens today at the Liberty Theatre, is another of those smooth, vivid comedies at which American studios are pre-emin-ent. It moves from opening to close with a speed that is breathless, but there is not a false note in the whole production. , . The story tells of the country girl who comes to town and makes good,

and at the top of her fame suspects the sweetheart of village days of being interested in her position and not in herself. ... What happens when a great city goes into darkness at the sound of an airraid warning? The thieves and criminals have their chance while the police have to do double or treble their ordinary work. In such circumstances the Charlie Chan film, “City In Darkness,** which is the second attraction at the Liberty, opens very dramatically. MAYFAIR « OVER THE MOON ” “Over the Moon,” starring Merle Oberon and Rex Harrison, will begin to-day at the Mayfair Rex Harrison already has a host of admirers for his part as the likeable, crusading, young reporter m the recent success, “Storm in a Teacup. Effervescing with brilliant dialogue, snappy situations, and happy entertainment, “Over the Moon ’ is excellent light comedy. This masterpiece of Alexander Korda’s, which was delayed for six months owing to the outbreak of the war, carries Merle Oberon, one of the loveliest of Britain s stars across a kaleidoscope of action in Venice. St. Moritz, and Monte Carlo. It deals with the adventures of a young woman who finds herself a multimillionaires.? and is surrounded by a bevy of fortune-hunters and parasites Her own choice is a young doctor, who objects to being one of the han-gers-on, but is prepared to be caught on his own terms. AVON « ON BORROWED TIME ” COMING Celebrating his thirtieth anniversary in motion pictures with one of the outstanding characterisations of his career, Lionel Barrymore will be seen at the Avon in the film from last season’s great Broadway stage success, •‘On Borrowed Time." As the lovable, old, outspoken Gramp, Barrymore marks a new milestone in his amazing record. It is Gramp who desperately fights death in order to prevent the young grandson he loves from falling into the hands of a scheming and unscrupulous aunt. That is the simple outline of the story, which is full of warm humour. An exceptional cast surrounds Barrymore. In the role of the mysterious stranger, Mr Brink, personification Of Death, is Sir Cedric Hardwicke, noted British stage and screen personality. The role of Pud falls to eight-year-old Bobs Watson, most talked-of youngster of the year. Beulah Bondi is the devoted granny, Eily Malyon the hypocritical Aunt Demetria. Una Merkel the warmly human maid, Marcia, CRYSTAL PALACE DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME Dealing in exciting fashion with the daring exploits of a young peace officer’s efforts to bring law and order to a frontier town under the dominant rule of an outlaw sheriff, “The Marshal of Mesa City," which will begin at the Crystal Palace 'to-day, presents George O’Brien in a dramatic and action-packed film. The story is laid .in Arizona of the eighties, and is a saga of the courageous federal marshals who ended the riotous and bloody rule of frontier desperadoes whose sneering disregard for law was told with roaring six-shooters. “Meet Doctor Christian,” the first In a projected new series of films starring Jean Hersholt, will also be on the programme. It has an outstanding cast featuring Dorothy Lovett, Robert Baldwin, Enid Bennett, and Paul Harvey. PLAZA DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME COMING John Howard, as the noted amateur sleuth, Bulldog Drummond: Heather Angel, as the lovely Phyllis Clavering, who is making a. final desperate attempt to marry him; H. B. Warner, Reginald Denny, E. E. Clive, Elizabeth Patterson in familiar supporting roles, ahd Eduardo Ciannelli are the top members of the cast of the new Paramount thriller, “Bulldog Drummond’s ‘Bride,” which will open to-day at the Plaza. . A picture which combines the elements of comedy and mystery as they are seldom found together in a motion picture will be presented with this programme. It : s Paramount’s “Death of a Champion.” CHRISTCHURCH CINEMAS. LIMITED “Fast and Furious.” starring Franchot Tone and Ann So them, ie at the e james Cagney in “The Oklahoma Kid," is at the Majestic. . “Artists a. ' ModeL.” starring Jack Benny and “Law of the Underworld” starring Chester Morris, are at tie Grand. . . _ . “Keep Fit,” starring George Formby. and “The Hunted Man," starring Lloyd Nolan, are at the St. James’. “Good-bye, Mr Chips," starring Robert Donat, is continuing at the Tivoli.

STATE « U-BOAT 29 ” Modern sea warfare has been a background for many exciting dramas, but none more thrilling or with a more absorbing story than “U-Boat 29," which is now showing at the State Theatre. All the drama of the espionage behind great naval actions, and the breathtaking excitement of encounters between powerful ships and submarines have been brought to the screen in this excellent film. Superb acting photographed with great skill, and a fastmoving story of the Great War make this picture one that will be remembered. Conrad Veidt as the star gives a magnificent performance. Sebastian Shaw has the role of the British naval officer allegedly in the pay of an enemy government, and with Miss Hobson makes a new romantic team of exceptional promise. Most of the action of the film takes place in and .around the Orkney Islands, and the renowned beauty ot their rugged coasts is faithfully translated to the screen. Another delightful characterisation is given by the everreliable Hay Petrie, whose portrayal of the Scottish engineer on the captured coastal steamer is outstanding. Others in the supporting cast are Marius Goring, June Duprez, Angus Laughlan, and Henel Haye. CENTURY “THE GOLDWYN FOLLIES” “The Goldwyn Follies.” a brilliant extravaganza, which brings to the screen the famous Charles McCarthy, and has a Ritz Brothers and the Goldwyn ballet in the cast, is at the Century.