CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23414, 22 August 1941, Page 4

CITY THEATRES

AVON

“ NO TIME FOR COMEDY ”

With James Stewart as a comedy playwright persuaded by a blonde “menace” to write serious plays, Charlie Ruggles as the millionaire husband of the "menace,” and Rosalind Russell as the playwright’s wife, the coming attraction for the Avon should be a great success. "No Time for Comedy” is comedy from start to finish. The gaily sophisticated story concerns a young newspaperman from the sticks who writes a comedy about Manhattan’s penthouse set, scores a smash hit on Broadway, and marries the star of the play. Sophisticated comedies flow from his facile pen. His wife stars in each of them,, and hit follows hit in swift succession. . But the young playwright begins to find more amusement in hob-nobbing with the smart set than in,, writing about it. At one of the parties he attends he meets the lovely blonde wife of a millionaire. Her specialty is inspiring successful young artists, and she soon convinces him that he is throwing away his genius on writing such frivolous plays. Under her influence, he begins writing a play with a “message.” There are troubles and a tea party that ends in tears and a separation that ends in laughter in this merry story of smart people.

MAYFAIR

« GASBAGS ”

After two most successful weeks the comedy "Gasbags,” starring the Crazy Gang, will begin a third week at the Mayfair to-day. A demonstration for an . important official of - the raising and lowering of the balloon barrage over London is ruined by one balloon which refuses to move. Investigation reveals it to be the one entrusted to the “Crazy Gang,” who-have secured it to the top of a fish and chip stall and are doing a 'roaring trade in their spare time. They are ordered to disengage the balloon, but a gale of wind which springs up carries off the balloon, the top of. the stall, and the Crazy Gang with it Their precarious journey ends when they land on the Western Front. When they see a line of French troops .marching towards them, they joyfully fall in at the head, not knowing that the French are followed by German troops who have captured them. They are thrown into a concentration camp where they meet Jerry, an ancient prisoner who has the plans of secret weapon drawn upon his back by the inventor. The gang decide to locate the place where the weapon is hidden, and end the war. Further absurd adventures lead the gang back to England at last.

STATE

" DOWN ARGENTINE WAY”

A technicolour film that is a romance, a comedy, an adventure ,fllm, and a musical all jn one is "Down Argentine Way,” the next attraction for the State. Don Ameche and Betty Grable are starred with a new Brazilian star, Carmen Miranda, who created a stir in New York dramatic circles last year. Carmen Miranda has puzzled many critics who have been unable to say what makes her such a brilliant actress. She is famous in South America and has become extremely popular in New York. Her first film is expected to be a great success. With emphasis on the spectacular throughout, "Down Argentine Way” has an excellent story featuring an Ameche-Grable, 6000 mile romance (from New York to glamorous Buenos Aires). Carmen Miranda, who makes a sensational screen debut, sings four songs. Four other catchy numbers were written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren. / Other bright names in the cast include Charlotte Greenwood. J. Carrol Naish, Henry Stephenson, Katharine Aldridge, Leonid Kinskey nad ChrisPin Martin. The film was directed by Irving Cummings from a screen play by Darrell Ware and Karl Tunberg. Rhythmic, lavish, and gay. "Down Argentine, Way” is irresistible entertainment

CRYSTAL PALACE

ts COLORADO SUNSET”

In the new Autry film at the Crystal Palace, “Colorado Sunset,” weary of barnstorming, Gene Autry and his Texas Troubadours, western singers, commission Frog to purchase a Colorado cattle ranch. Arriving at their new home, they are disgusted to learn that the “cattle” are not steers, but cows. Gene discovers that he and the boys also won a contract calling for daily : delivery of milk to the local milk depot, and they grimly determine to become dairymen. But their dull life turns out to be anything but dull as there is a milk war on. There is plenty of excitement in this film, in which campaigns are conducted with guns or songs or both. In "The Great Swindle" Jack Holt is cast as a fighting insurance company adjuster who uncovers evidence of arson in a spectacular warehouse fire. Holt is at his fighting best as he slowly but inevitably closes in on the' master mind behind the crime. Marjorie Reynolds is also in the cast.

LIBERTY

« WUTHERING HEIGHTS ”

A retuVn of the very successful film “Wuthering Heights” from Emily Bronte’s famous novel, will be eagerly welcomed by many who would like to see the film for a second time. With Merle Oberon and Laurence Olivier in the leading roles in this moving story, ‘‘Wuthering Heights” will be shown at the Liberty to-day. The story of Cathy’s love for the orphan boy is made into a remarkable film. The associate feature is “Ellery Queen’s Penthouse Mystery,” which traces a world-famed ventriloquist from China to New York, where he disappears. He is an agent for influential 1 Chinese, carrying a fortune in jewels, which will be sold in America to aid the Chinese cause, and his mysterious disappearance is unknown until his daughter becomes suspicious. She appeals for help to Nikki, who entices Ellery away from the novel on which he is working. Ralph Bellamy Is Ellery Queen and Margaret Lindsay Nikki Porter, Ellery’s queen of secretaries.

PLAZA

« COMIN» ROUND THE mountain »

Bob Burns and Una Merkel star in the hillbilly comedy-musical, “Cornin’ Round the Mountain," the next attraction for the Plaza. Bob has been to New York and returns to the bosom of his queer family with a great money-making idea—to make a onefamily touring band. This is done with many hilarious complications, including shotguns,, corn-cob pipes, and balloons.

The associate feature is "The Defence Rests," a gripping story starring Edward Ellis (the man who made ‘‘A Man to Remember”) and Anita Louise., The story is of Abraham Lincoln Boggs, a small town district attorney with outstanding ability. Boggs is content to serve his small clientele, eager to interpret the law with common sense and humaneness rather than by exact adherence to text-book statutes. His daughter;

Honey, is an adopted child, daughter of a woman sent to prison by Boggs. Boggs has raised the child as his own. Marco, a gangster indicted in the big city, dlsc6vers the truth about Honey, has his own lawyer secure a change of venue to Corinthia and blackmails Boggs. From here the story progresses dramatically.