CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24226, 6 April 1944, Page 3

CITY THEATRES

AVON “JOURNEY FOR MARGARET” A dramatic, true-life human interest story of the war, “Journey for Margaret,” written by a war correspondent, W. L. White, has been filmed and will come on Saturday to the Avon Theatre. Robert Young and Laraine Day are the leading players. Appearing as a war correspondent in shell-

battered London, Robert Young has one of the most notable roles of his career, as the adopted father of two war orphans. Laraine Day plays the part of a wife, who, robbed of her own child by a Nazi shell, mothers the waifs with all the power of her love. Little Margaret O’Brien, not yet six. was chosen for the title role from more than 1000 possibilities.

STATE "STAGE DOOR CANTEEN" The Stage Door Canteen, just off New York's dimmed-out Broadway, where many of the great celebrities of the stage, radio, and screen entertain members of the armed forces, provides a background for a simple story of romance in the film "Stage Door Canteen," which is booked for Saturday at the State Theatre. "Stage Door Canteen" has an impressive cast of 48 celebrities, who appear as themselves in the picture. These include Katharine Hepburn, Merle Oberon, Gracie Fields, and Yehudi Menuhin, who plays "Ave Maria" and "Flight ,of the Bumble Bee." Cheryl Walker as Eileen is taking her first main role in this film. The part of "her soldier lover, Private Ed Smith, is played by William Terry, another young actor. Both show good promise of being leading stars in the future. MAYFAIR "MUCH TOO SHY" Bohemian life at its craziest is seen in "Much Too Shy," the latest George Formby comedy, which will commence a season at the Mayfair on Saturday. In the cast are included Kathleen Harrison, Hilda Bayley. and Joss Ambler. In this picture George attends an art school. Many strange people attend the studio as students and models. Into this atmosphere comes Formby, fresh from the country, and the picture deals with his reactions to the talk and "goings-on" of the students, A George Formby screen comedy would hardly seem complete unless the popular comedian sang, and in "Much. Too Shy" there are four new songs that are a feature in themselves. CRYSTAL PALACE "SPRINGTIME IN THE ROCKIES" In "Springtime in the Rockies," a technicolour film which is in its second week at the Crystal Palace, the leading parts are taken by Betty Grable and John Payne, two artists who need no introduction in the film world. Starred with them are Carmen Miranda and Cesar Romero, who, together with Harry James's popular orchestra, hslp the two leading actors to make the film a very bright and attractive entertainment. The plot manages cleverly to hold the interest through the many melodious and dancing interludes. Some fine dancing is provided by Betty Grable and Carmen Miranda, their contrasting styles in the art adding much to the variety of the film. J'Chatanodga Choo-Choo" and "Springtime in th<j Rockies" are two of the song bite sung by Carmen Miranda. The bright humour, which is one of the main features, is left mainly to the parts played by Charlotte Greenwood and Fiward riorton. . •• .- . *■'

LIBERTY ; “GOOD LUCK, MR YATES” AND: “THE PINTO KID” A magnificent tribute to the lighter* on the United States home front will open at the Liberty Theatre on Saturday. It is ‘‘Good Luck. Mr Yates” a Columbia picture featuring Claire Trevor, Jess Barker, and that fine character actor. Edgar Buchanan, in roles that all three handle with warmth and understanding. The shipbuilders are the heroes in this film, and from their fine but unspectacular work, a story of exciter ment and strong dramatic interest haf •been evolved. * The second feature at this theatre is “The Pinto Kid,’’ a thrilling Western film starring Charles Starett and Louise Currie, a promising newcomer to the screen.

PLAZA “AERIAL GUNNER” A thrilling action story of the sharpshooting Army Air Corps gunners who blast the enemy aeroplanes out of the sky forms the basis of Paramount’s exciting picture “Aerial Gunner,” coming shortly to the Plaza. Richard Arlen. Chester Morris, and Jimmy Lydott play the leading roles with Dick Purcell and Lita Ward in support • Pitted against each other in a contest over enchanting Lita Ward, Chester Morris and Richard Arlen put their romantic problems into the background when they come face to face with enemy action. The film is crammed with action, romance, and excitement. Dick Purcell portrays a gunner member of Richard Arlen’s bomber crew.

“Jungle Siren,” with Ann Corio and Buster Crabbe taking leading will also be shown.

CENTURY "THE NAVY COMES THROUGH" AND "THE UNDER PUP" • Anyone who wonders what the Navy is doing these days need only visit the Century Theatre . where "The Navy Comes Through''will be the "next attraction. Pat O'Brien and George Murphy have top roles in this exciting film. Jane Wyatt is the heroine, while Max. Baer, Jackie Cooper, and other well-known players are fea« tured. ■■■.'.

Murphy is seen as a disgraced former naval officer who has, patriotically enlisted as a seaman when the nation is attacked. Presented with realism and vivid action, the story is splendidly handled start to finish. , Another film presented on this programme is “TheiDnder Pup,” featuring famous Gloria; Joan, Nan Grey, and Robert Gummingsr. . ; I