CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24581, 1 June 1945, Page 3

CITY THEATRES

AVON “THE THIN MAN GOES HOME” One of the most exciting and fast* moving screen mysteries of the year, “The Thin Man Goes Home,” will continue its season at the Avon Theatre to-day. In this latest film of the “Thin Man” series, the leading parts are played as usual by William Powell as Detective Nick Charles, and Myma Loy as his wife, Nora. Nick Charles plans a vacation in his home town, but, as usual, becomes involved in a highly baffling murder mystery. The film also boasts an outstanding supporting cast including such wellknown players as Gloria De Haven, Donald Meek, Hairy Davenport. Lucile Watson, Helen Vinson, Anne Revere, and Edward Brophy. Asta, the famous wire-haired terrier, is given a chance to perform some new tricks in the film. ‘The Thin Man Goes Home is a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer release. It was directed by Richard Thorpe, STATE “THIS HAPPY BREED” In “This Happy Breed/’ the current attraction at the State Theatre, Noel Coward sets out to portray the essential greatness of heart of all the “little people” of Britain. 'This Happy Breed” recites the tale of great events, of all those things which stirred or afflicted Britain in the 20 years of uneasy peace between the first world war and the present conflict. The greatness of the people is shown in the humdrum everyday occurrences in two houses of London’s suburbs. A critic has said of the film: “It is a true Invocation to greatness Throughout its passage it never loses hold of its--high purpose Noel Coward tvs fashioned a tapestry of Eng l and s pride He has made also one of e most entertaining pieces of motion picture entertainment which have ever graced the screen.” The leading roles are taken by Robert Newton and Celia Johnson. MAYFAIR “THE WAY AHEAD” “The Way Ahead,” which will commence a season to-day at the Mayfair Theatre, is a story of British soldiers. It is the plain tale of typical Britons of this generation who were called from the plough, the , bench, and the office. It is the tale of men full of • private ambitions, tribulations, human happiness, and plans for the future, who gave them up to Join the army. “The Way Ahead” lays no claim to a “message” or to “uplift. _ There is more laughter than tears in it, more excitement and suspense than argument. Its quality and character are derived from its” subject, the British soldier. . „ , The cast includes such well-known actors as David Niven, Raymond Huntley and Stanley Holloway. The film, which was produced by Norman Walker and John Sutro, is from an original story by Eric Ambler. CRYSTAL PALACE “CONEY ISLAND” “Coney Island,” the Technicolor musical film which opens to-day at the Crystal Palace, has been hailed as one of the best musical films of the season. . Betty Grable, George Montgomery, and Cesar Romero have the leading roles in this 20th Century-Fox produc-. tion. Coney Island, New York’s famous amusement resort, has provided the background for countless film sequences, but not until now has an enure production been devoted to this gay seashore resort. Among the new tunes in the film are “Take It From There,” “Beautiful Coney Island,” “Miss Lulu from Louisville/' and “There’s Danger in a 'Dance,” by 'Leo Robin and Ralph Rainger. Charles Winninger and Phil Silvers head the featured cast. The dances were directed by Hermes Pan, and the original screen play was written by George Seaton. LIBERTY “THE DANCING MASTERS” TwehUeth Century-Fox’s latest comedy, “The Dancing Masters,” starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, will be shown to-day at the Liberty Theatre. The efforts of the two comedians to keep their school of dancing open and at the same time earn enough money to pay for various expensive misadventures make this one of the most amusing of the Laurel and Hardy films. Trudy Marshall heads the featured cast of the film, which was directed by Mai. St. Clair and produced by Lee Marcus. “Stars on Parade,” a Columbia musical film, is the supporting feature. A talent search throughout America brought forth an array of new performers for this film. In addition to its two veteran featured players, Lynn Merrick and Larry Parks, the cast includes the King Cole Trio, the Chords, specialists in the imitation of musical instruments, and Frank and Jean Hubert, comedians.