CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24369, 22 September 1944, Page 8

CITY THEATRES

AVON

“SO PROUDLY WE HAIL”

In a dramatic film, “So Proudly We Hail," which is coming to the Avon shortly, Claudette Colbert, Paulette Goddard, and Veronica Lake appear in the uniforms of the American Army Nurse Corps. When the story begins, a group of army nurses are on board ship en route for the United States after having been evacuated from Corregidor. As one of them. Lieutenant Janet Davidson (Claudettfe Colbert), is in a coma with no desire to live, Dr. Harrison (John Litel) asks the others to tell them her complete story to help him to save her. He has a letter for Janet from a person who signs himself “John,” and wants to know whether it would be important enough to rouse her. The nurses then tell what happened to them late in November, 1941, when they left America for Hawaii, and from there on the story proceeds to a dramatic climax.

STATE

“CRASH DIVE”

With Tyrone Power in the leading role and Anne Baxter in a supporting part, ‘‘Crash Dive,” a Tefchnicolor. picture of life in American submarines in the Atlantic, is coming to the State Theatre to-day. Under the technical supervision of Commander M. K. Kirkpatrick, U.S.N., most. of the location scenes of the film were taken at a United States naval submarine base. Tyrone Power portrays a junior officer who finds a friend in his commander, Dana Andrews, a man hardened through his long service under the water.

This friendship of the two seamen is not destined to be a permanent one, however. Anne Baxter comes into the picture and immediately becomes the centre of attraction.

MAYFAIR

“HOLY MATRIMONY”

Laughter abounds in the film “Holy Matrimony,”.which will start a season to-day at the Mayfair. The stars are Gracie Fields and Monty Woolley, who live in a rose-covered cottage, their combination of a roguish tongue and a charming singing voice creating a happy atmosphere about their home. Based o-’ Arnold Bennett’s book, “Buried Alive;” the story casts Monty Woolley as a leading British artist, who adopts the name and life of his recently-deceased butler. To his amazement his butler has applied to a matrimonial agency for a bride, who is none other than effervescent Gracie Fields. It is then that Monty Woolley finds that in spite of his long years as a bachelor, married life is better than he has imagined. A humorous court scene brings the film to a climax.

CRYSTAL PALACE

“WE DIVE AT DAWN”

The homecoming of a British submarine after a long voyage, the release of the bearded crew, and the renewal of their spasmodic private lives are the scenes covered in “We Dive at Dawn,” which commences a season at the Crystal Palace to-day. As the crew spread swiftly away over Britain on seven days’ leave the camera follows them.

These scenes and many others are dramatically altered as by telegram, telephone, and police, messages come to call the crew back to the submarine within 24 hours to go on the most dangerous mission of their lives.

LIBERTY

“SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT” ‘

Popular music, romance and humour are the basic ingredients of ‘‘Something to Shout About” which has Don Ameche, Janet Blair, and Jack Oakie as its leading actors. Commencing at the Liberty to-day, this picture, also includes some of Cole Porter’s lyric tunes, including “You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To,”/ “I Always Knew,” “Hasta Luega,” “Lotus Bloom,” “Something to Shout About,” and “Through Thick and Thin.” Miss Blair appears as a music teacher who attempts to thrill Broadway as a song writer. The back-stage flavour of “Something to Shout About” enables her to dance, sing and act in a manner unusual to the screen. The second feature is “Dangerous Blondes.” a mystery-comedy, starring Allyn Joslyn and Evelyn Keyes. Edmund Lowe and Frank Craven are also featured.

SHORTS THIS WEEK

AVON.—Avon News Service, latest world events; “Memphis Belle,” technicolour special.

CRYSTAL PALACE.—British News, topical; “Guess What,’ novelty.

MAYFAIR. “Pandora’s Box.” Terry toon. “Coast of Strategy,” Magic Carpet series; "Leathernecks on Parade,” interest; Fox Australian News showing New Zealanders m Rome.

STATE—“Aladdin’s Lamp,’ cartoon; International News; Fox Australian News showing New Zealanders in Rome. PLAZA.—PIaza News Service; “Robinson Crusoe Junior,” colour cartoon; “Melodious Moments.” United States Navy Band; "Hunting Dogs At Work,” sports parade in colour.

PLAZA

“THE GAY SISTERS”

The film to follow “Casablanca,” now in its eighth week at the Plaza, will be “The Gay Sisters,” with Barbara Stanwyck in the leading role. She is the eldest of the Gaylord sisters, a brusque person, who deems sentiment a silly emotion. Her two sisters, the other members of the Gaylord family, are played by Geraldine Fitzgerald and Nancy Coleman. George Brent in his casual but forceful manner is a civil engineer who becomes a millionaire, and also is the cause of the gay sisters being held practically penniless. Through legal action. Brent manages to tie up the will left by Penn Gaylord when he was killed in the first World War. His motive was quite obvious. He wanted to get hold of theGaylord property and build a vast project of his own on it.

CENTURY

“CATHERINE THE GREAT”

In “Catherine the Great” which will be shown at the Century Theatre fronj to-day, Douglas Fairbanks, junior, gives one of the best performances of his career in the difficult part of. Tsar Peter 111. Known as the “Russian Hamlet,” Tsar Peter 111 is an equally difficult part to interpret as Shakespeare’s hero. The picture is also notable for the fact that it marks the screen debut of Elizabeth Bergner who portrays Catherine the Great.