CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23248, 7 February 1941, Page 4

CITY THEATRES

LIBERTY "TOO MANY HUSBANDS" "Too Many Husbands" can prove somewhat troublesome, and Jean Arthur discovers that fact in the Liberty Theatre's Columbia comedy, which opens to-day with Fred Mac Murray and Meryyn Douglas also starred. Based upon a W. Somerset Maugham stage success, the new production has 'been hailed as a hilariously witty melee of men, marriage, and morals. Briefly, the story of "Too Many Husbands" is founded upon three logical items: Jean is married to reckless Fred, who is reported dead at sea. Jean marries the more stable Melvyn, Fred's best friend. Fred returns home. And from try'se original propositions producer-director Wesley Ruggles has developed one of the most original, one of the inost uproarious screen comedies of this or any other season. Fred's return home, after a year spent on a desert island, is the first oi a constant series of hectic incidents. Both Jean and Melvyn stammer through their explanations, while. Fred refuses to listen. He wants to be alone with his wife. The associate feature is a popular comedy, "Five Little Peppers at Home." CRYSTAL PALACE SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS A special attraction at the Crystal Palace to-night only will be the personal appearance of Madame Cara the famous astrologist. Joe E. Brown's long absence from the screen makes his new Columbia comedy, "So You Won't Talk?" especially desirable in anticipation. In it he is seen as a timid book reviewer whose beara hides not only his features but his inferiority complex When, finally, he is persuaded to shave it off by his girl friend, he discovers himself the double of a notorious gunman. Unfortunately for Brown, the gunman's friends discover the resemblance at pretty much the same time. And, not very long afterwards. so does the gunman. The efforts of a humane police officer, determined to segregate first offenders from the hardened criminal, is the thense .of "Fugitive From a Prison Camp," the new Columbia picture starring Jack Holt, which will be the supporting attraction. Holt arrests a gang of young criminals, headed by Jack Laßue. In the "hideout" te finds Phillip Terry, who has come to the gang's headquarters to persuade one of its members, George Oflerman. jun., brother of his sweetheart, Marian Marsh, to give up his law-breaking friends. AVON "THE OLD MAID" In a successful season at the Avon "The Old Maid" is now beginning its third week, Bette Davis, Academy Award winner, ylaying the star part. Her portrayal of a gay and pretty young girl who gradually becomes an embittered and frustrated old maid as fate deals her one cruel blow after another, is one of the most remarkable performances seen on the films. Sharing the lead with Miss Davis is Miriam Hopkins, who plays a less difficult psrt, but is no less brilliant. As an old maid and a rich widow these two actresses make a rare combination. Christchurch audiences have waited for a long time to see this most gripping and realistic drama, so much discussed in other towns, and they will not be disappointed. "The Old Maid" is showing at the Avon. George Brent. Jane Bryan, Donald Crisp, Louise Fazenda. James Stephenson, and Jerome Cowan are some of the well-known names supporting the co-stars. "The Fall of Bardia" will be a new special release in the news to-day. STATE "FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT" When Alfred Hitchcock made "The Lady Vanishes" two or three years ago most people agreed that he was the most ingenious of English directors, and the one who could most successfully manage the element of suspense in his films. Now he has surely added millions to his list of admirers by producing yet another excellent American film—"Foreign Correspondent," the startling story of the adventures of a young American newspaper man sent to Europe to get the news behind the news on the eve of war This film, which is having a most successful season at the State, must satisfy everyone who seeks for excitement, suspense, romance, and mystery in a plot, good acting from the players, and an intelligently written dialogue with a twist of humour. The players are Joel McCrea, Laraine Day, Herbert Marshall. George Sanders, and Harry Davenport. MAYFAIR NEW ATTRACTION The new attraction at the Mayfair is "The Great Profile," in which John Barrymore is starred. "The Great Profile" concerns the trials and tribulations of an unpredictable stage actor who goes berserk' on the stage—to the amusement of millions. Production Chief Darryl F. Zanuck exercised great care in selecting the supporting cast, among whom are found Mary Beth Hughes, Gregory Ratorf, John Payne, and many others. In "The Great Profile" blonde Mary Beth has an opportunity to display her. talents as a comedienne, a role in contrast to the ones she has had in her previous pictures. The reception accorded her work by critics vindicates her selection and points to a brilliant future for this versatile actress. In the film John Barrymore portrays a great actor who is given the lead in a play that is about to flop., Giving up, he extemporises his way through, and to everyone's surprise the play becomes a howling success. The film winds up in one of the funniest surprise endings of the year, CHRISTCHURCH CINEMAS, LIMITED Now showing at the Regent Is "Spring Parade." starring Deanna Durbin. "Untamed," starring Ray Milland, Patricia Morrison, and Akim Tamiroff, is at the Majestic. "Flonan," starring Robert Young, Helen Gilbert, and Reginald Owen, is at the Tivoli. The new programme at the Theatre Royal includes "Four's a Crowd," with Errol Flynn, and "Under the Red Robe," with Conrad Veidt and Annabels. • "Dangerous Number," with Robert Young and Ann Sothern, and "Valley o'f the Giants" are at the St. James. The new programme at the Grand includes "Little Miss Thoroughbred" an- the Jones Family in "Everybody's Baby." CENTURY The new programme at the Century. St. Albans, features "Lambeth Walk" and "Our Neighbours the Carters."

PLAZA TO-DAY’S PROGRAMME "Law and Disorder,” to-day’s attraction at the Plaza, is set in tbc fast moving tradition of the detective thriller, with a lawyer and Scotland Yard at loggerheads with each other. Barry K. Barnes is nis own debonair self and acts with the disarming charm that masks the real screen success. His partner. Samuel Blight, is presented on robust comedy lines by Alastair Sim. Diana Churchill is the whimsical nonchalant wife of the lawyer, Edward Chapman the disgrunted Detective Inspector Bray, and Austin Trevor the master mind. The associate feature is a comedy, “Earl of Puddleslone."