CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23088, 2 August 1940, Page 6

CITY THEATRES

* CRYSTAL PALACE «MUSIC IN MY HEART ” COMING A handsome young tenor, temporarily a man without a country, and a lovely young woman, temporarily a bride-to-be without a groom, meet by chance to initiate one of the most sparkling romantic musical comedies of the motion picture season. It is "Music in My Heart,” with Tony Martin and Rita Hayworth in stellar roles. This carefree new comedy, which opens to-day at the Crystal Palace, has been hailed wherever it is shown. A happy wedding of romance, laughter, and music, the film’s cast also includes such well-known stars as Edith Fellows, Andre Kostelanetz and his famous orchestra, Alan Mowbray, Eric Blore, and George Tobias. Martin, who sings six grand new tunes in "Music in My Heart,” returns to the screen after an absence of more than a year. More popular than ever, due to his sensational radio and stage appearances, the talented tenor is said to be handsomer than ever, and in better .voice. The songs, written especially for him by Chet Forrest and Bob Wright, include “No Other Love,” “Punchinello,” “Prelude to Love,” “It's a Blue World,” “I’ve Got Mjrsic in My Heart,” and “Oh, What a Lovely Dream,” The songs range from swing ballad to novelty. "Convicted Woman,” Columbia’s thrilling drama of life in a woman’s prison, will be the second feature. The predominantly female cast is headed by Rochelle Hudson, Frieda Inescort, June Lang, and Lola Lane, while Glenn Ford plays the only important masculine role. Nick Grinde directed the film, which tells of the heartbreak and hate caused by corrupt prison administration. and the resulting revolt by the inmates. Others in the cast include Lorna Gray, Linda Winters, Iris Meredith, and Beatrice Blirm. STATE “ SWANEE RIVER ” COMING The singing romance, “Swanee River," coming to the State to-day, stars Don Ameche as Stephen C. Foster, , the handsome composer; Andrea Leeds and A 1 Jplson are in the leading roles. Filmed in technicolour, the lovely old settings of the story are endowed with striking realism and rare charm. The life .of Stephen C. Foster, the great American song writer, was composed of the very elements which make for thrilling motion picture ma-terial-struggle, success. love, : and happiness—then suffering, poverty, loneliness, and disillusion. The great love of his life was lovely Jane McDowell, who became his wife and the mother, of his daughter Marlon. Jane, who is played by An- . drea Leeds In the film, was the in(miration for the 1 famous "Jeanie. /With the Light Brown Hair." As the story Is retold in the screen play by John Taintor Foote and Philip Dunne, she never forgot Foster and he never ceased to love her, even in those last • unhappy years when he was forgotten by the world that would never stop singing his songs. _ ■ _ . For in his brief 38 years Foster 'tasted the heady wine of-success and ■ died a broken man who had found his lakt refuge in a shabby Bowery rooming house—with a pitiful handful of coins and a scribbled note for a new song, “Dear friends and gentle hearts, his soler worldly possessions. To-day memorials stand in his honour from Florida (which has made his “Swarfee River" its state song) to New York; and his "The . Old Folks at Home” is not only America’s No. 1 folk tune but the most widely sung song in the world. MAYFAIR " “DRUMS ALQNG THE MOHAWK” . COMING When Walter D. Edmonds, who was raised in the traditions of New York State’s beautiful Mohawk Valley, wrote his biggest of best-sellers, "Drums Along the Mohawk” (coming to-mor-row to the Mayfair), it was immediately recognised by Darryl F. Zanuck as' one of the finest screen possibilities he bad ever encountered. Accordingly the book was purchased by 20th Cen-tury-Fox who proceeded to. give it top importance on the schedule. This is evidenced by the names associated with Zanuck’s production of “Drums Along the .Mohawk.” John Ford was made director. Claudette .Colbert was starred with Henry Fonda, whose family: hails from the Mohawk - Valley. Other names in the cast guaranteeing excellent entertainment are Edna May/Oliver, Eddie • Collins, , John Carradine, and Dorris Bawdon.

LIBERTY “ REBECCA ” Now transferred to the Liberty, “Rebecca,” the film' from Daphne du , Maurier’s best-selling novel, will still attract large audiences. The stars in this highly successful film are Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine. These two excellent players are supported by a cast that includes many who would draw large film audiences themselves: Geprge Sanders, Nigel Bruce, C. Aubrey Smith, Judith Anderson, and Reginald Denny. Joan Fontaine succeeds in an extremely difficult role and immediately demands attention as one of the best actresses on the screen to-day. Laurence Olivier, who has become a screen favourite within the last year,, has the role of Mr de Winter, the man of wealth who is said to be completely shattered by the tragic death of his first wife. The story, known already to the thousands of readers of the book, “Rebecca.” concerns the struggle for life and love by Maxim de Winter and his second wife against the evil power of the memory of the very beautiful but unscrupulous first wife. Rebecca, whose tragic death by drowning is talked of in whispers throughout English society. ’ - AVON “STRONGER THAN DESIRE” ’ . COMING Virginia Bruce and Walter Pidgeon in their second appearance as a romantic team -score again in “Stronger Than Desire.” melodramatic romance of New York society, starting to-day .at the Avon. The story is a combination of happy’ married life, legal : intrigue, a blackmail plot growing out of a flirtation, and a murder mys- ; tery wRh a photographic clue that provides something new in the unravelling of crime puzzles. Pidgeon plays prosperous lawyer whose wife suspects him of a flirtation and retaliates with one of her own, to disc'over that she has been playing into the hands of a blackmailer who threatens to compromise her. In a struggle over her letters he strikes her. She instinctively picks up a revolver on his desk, shoots him, and flees. From then on the story moves on to a gripping climax. Dialogue, acting, and story are alike excellent in this film, which should have a universal appeal, PLAZA DOUBLE-FEATURE ’PROGRAMME Fine entertainment be provided in to-day’s new programme at the Plaza. There are two full-length pictures, “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Sabotage. “Hell’s Kitchen” is acted by a cast of young people, one of whom is paroled by the court for eight years. Determined to go straight, he. shows a personal interest in an institution, “Hell’s Kitchen,” where the inmates are unfortunate lads who have offended the laws in many ways.. However. the institution is-supervised by one "Krispan,” whose cruelty leadsto the death of one of the lads. The boys reyolt, and* try ■ “Krispan* for . murder. CHRISTCHURCH CINEMAS, LIMITED Deanna Durbin is starred in “It’s a ; Date,” beginning to-day the He- ! Se ian Hay’s “The Middle Watch,” starring Jack Buchanan, begins to-day at * h At M the eS Tfvoli, “The Outsider,” starring George Sanders and Mary Maguire, begins to-day. "Sally, Irene, and Mary," starring Alice Faye, and “Thrill of a Lifetime." starring Dorothy Lamour. begin at the Grand to-day, “Only Angels Have Wings, starring Cary Grant, and “Gateway," starring Don Ameche. begin to-day at the , St James’. CENTURY THEATRE ; “White Banners," starring Lloyd G. Douglas, and “Housemaster.” starring Otto Kruger, begin to-day at the Century. 1