CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23947, 14 May 1943, Page 3

CITY THEATRES

AVON “TAKE A LETTER, DARLING” Something new in movie plots is offered in Paramount’s hilarious romance, “Take a Letter, Darling,” costarring Rosalind Russell and Fred Mac Murray, which will begin a season soon at the Avon Theatre. Miss Russell, a successful advertising executive, hires Mac Murray as her secretary. Mac Murray knows nothing about shorthand or typing. He’s an artist, temporarily in the financial doldrums, but for the job he’s hired to do, he doesn’t have to know shorthand. He finds himself escorting Miss Russell round town, occasionally posing as her fiance, and always having to be nice to the jealous wives of prospective clients. Mac Murray and Miss Russell, of course, fall in love, but Rosalind won’t admit it. Riotous complications develop with the appearance of Macdonald Carey, a woman-hating tobacco magnate, and his man-hunting sister. Constance Moore. Robert Benchley adds to the high humour of the picture as Miss Russell’s business partner. Cecil Kellaway is also seen as a very genial drunk. MAYFAIR “THE FALCON TAKES OVER” Sparkling with a brilliance and qriginality that make it a notable addition to the season’s mystery offerings. “The Falcon Takes Over” will be seen at the Mayfair this week. George Sanders once more plays the title role of the suave amateur sleuth, but the story and its absorbing development strike off along exciting lines. The central menace in the plot is that of a giant convict, Moose Malloy, who breaks out of prison to avenge himself on his faithless girl friend, Velma, and who ruthlessly kills everyone m his way as he searches for her. When Police Inspector O'Hara is baffled bv the case, the Falcon takes a hand and sets out on the trail of Malloy, as well as that of Velma, a trail that leads to a number of mysterious characters, inclpding a haughty society girli two gamblers, a fortuneteller, and an underworld crone. Several of these become victims of Malloy’s deadly wrath before the Falcon, aided by a‘resolute young girl reporter, brings about the surprise conclusion of the affair. STATE “THE DAY WILL DAWN” Featuring Ralph Richardson, Deborah Kerr (a new star), and Hugh Williams, “The Day Will Dawn” is full of action, romance, and high adventure, and will be shown again this week at the State Theatre. It is spectacular war melodrama, de. scribing the breathtaking adventures of a young British war correspondent who saw the outbreak of the world war from Norway, playing his own part in it later. The film is a just and timely tribute to the indomitable spirit of Norway. It is, in short, one of the greatest of the recent war epics. The story, which is written by Frank Owen, opens in London’s press centre, an introduction which not only gives a shrewd hint of the things to come, but makes a showmanlike springboard for the leap to Norway. The subsequent action is history—the “tourist’ invasion of Norway. *he activities of Quislings the interception of U-boats, the raid on the U-boat lair, and tjie Commando climax—but it is no bald illustration of facts. It is authentic and purposeful, and that purpose is to acquaint the world through the medium of exciting screen entertainment with the heroism and resolution of the Norwegians. It is an indictment, a warning, and an inspiration for all free people. CRYSTAL PALACE “THE JUNGLE BOOK” .. After months of painstaking preparar tion and. research, Alexander . K&rda has transferred to the screen the thrilling adventure classic, Rudyard K‘pling’s “Jungle Book,” which was filmed in magnificent technicolour and stars Sabi" in the role of Mowgli, a creature that is half-boy and half-wolf Kipling’s “Jungle Book” was directed by Zoltan Korda and will be shown at the Crystal Palace again this week. The background of Kipling’s “Jungle Book” is picturesque Northern India during the last century and entailed scenes of authentic jungle beauty, filled with wild animals and tropic bird life, a., well as scenes of fantastic splendour completely out of this world. Consequently there were no props available in the vast storehouses of movieland and nearly aH had to be manufactured to conform with the designs created by art director Vincent Korda. Among the most unusual props that were n.anufactured were a heavily jewelled howdah for Sabu to ride into the lost city and 11 jewelled sceptres with delicate filigree designs.

LIBERTY “UNDER FIESTA STARS” What happens when a handsome young cowboy from the West and a beautiful city girl from the East jointly fall heir to a ranch and mine is answered in ‘‘Under Fiesta Stars,” the latest of Gene Autry’s musical Westerns which opens at the Liberty Theatre to-day. Gene, who clashes with the heiress (Carol Hughes), shares the sentiments of old Mr Erwin, who willed the property to them and who, throughout his lifetime, insisted on holding it intact so as to provide work for his numerous friends and neighbours. When Carol becomes inadvertently involved with gangsters who are seeking to exploit the property to the detriment of the workmen. Gene takes an active hand in changing her mind, aided and abetted by his rotund friend, “Frog” Millhouse. played by Smiley Burnette. “Up in the Air," starring Frankie Darro. Marjorie Reynolds, and Rantan Moreland, will also be shown. CENTURY “STRIKE UP THE BAND” ‘‘Strike Up The Band,” which will begin a season at the Century Theatre. St. Albans, to-night, is a musical film with the ever popular Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland as the stafs. It has new song hits and old favourites which all contribute to the comedy of this merry romance. Paul Whiteman and his orchestra are featured, and many of the clever youngsters who aopeared in “Babes In Arms” are in the cast There is an excellent selection of short films.

PLAZA “TOO MANY WOMEN” A hapless bachelor who tries to lie his way out of a difficult situation, and finds himself engaged to three girls as a result, is the story of "Too Many Women." to be shown at the Plaza soon. By mistaken identity a local gangster is convinced that Neil Hamilton, the bachelor concerned, is the man who should marry his sister, and insists that he does so at the point of a gun. The girls, glamorous and spirited June Lang. Joyce Compton, and Barbara Read, are the three fiancees, whip' Mario Dwver olay= the gangster’s sister Others in the cast are Fred Sherman. Harry Holman. Matt and Kate McKenna. “Mountain Moonlight,” a “hillbilly” hit, will also, be shown.