CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24599, 22 June 1945, Page 3

CITY THEATRES

AVON ‘‘THE STORY OF DR. WASSELL” Cecil B de Mille’s newest screen story, “The Story of Dr. Wassell,” starring Gary Cooper, will be shown again this week at the Avon Theatre. The recounting of Commander Corydon M. Wassell’s experiences in rescuing nine wounded sailors from Java makes for one-of the most exciting films to reach the screen. The radio tribute by President Roosevelt hailing Dr. Wassell’s exploits, and the Navy Cross awarded him for his heroic feats, are facts well known to the American people. Now. the history of his trek across Java with his wounded flock becomes a. lasting record on film through the production of “The Story of Dr. Wassell." The wounded, men, who were hospitalised -in Java under Dr. Wassell’s care, were the wounded from the cruisers Houston and Marblehead, which ships put into port at Tjilatjap. Java. The odyssey of the Marblehead’s voyage to the United States after the naval battle of the Java Sea was an astounding tale, and will be well remembered, as is also the exploit of Dr. Wassell, who cared for the Marblehead's wounded. 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 has; fashioned a tapestry of England's pride?:? He has made also one of the 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 RATS OF TOBRUK” Charles Chauvel has long been famous for his films, but his latest production, "The Rats of Tobruk,” which will commence a season to-day at the Mayfair, surpasses all his previous efforts, according to advance reports. The story deals with the gallant exploits of the men of the Sixth and Ninth Divisions in the Middle East, particularly Tobruk, and later their return to Australia and further service in New Guinea. The co-operation of the Army and the Department of Information is evident in the film, which makes unrestricted use of Army and Air Force personnel and equipment. The scenes and sets, all true to fact, could only have been made possible by the most liberal access to official records and photographs. The leading roles are taken by Grant Taylor, Pauline Garrick, a newcomer to the screen, and Mary Gay. CRYSTAL PALACE ‘‘THE GENTLE SEX” “The Gentle Sex," a Two .Cities film directed by Leslie Howard, will be screened again this week at the Crystal Palace. This is the first feature film of women at war, and is intended as an expression of gratitude to the thousands of women whose humanity and heroism have been a part of everyday life during the war. The story, which has an A.T.S. background. is unfolded as the spoken observations of an onlooker, a man who sceptically watches the absorption of women into the war. At a large London station he watches the, teeming mass of people, and' picks out seven girls who are about to go into camp;. What will the seven different types Make of their new life and unusual mode of living? The parts of the girls are taken by Rosamund John, Joyce Howard, Jean Gillie, Tilli Palmer. Joan Greenwood, Barbara Waring, and Joan Gates. LIBERTY ‘‘CALL OF THE CANYON” "Call of the Canyon,” which will be shown this week at the Liberty Theatre, is a Western film, with Gene Autry, the popular singing cowboy in the leading role, as spokesman for a group of cattlemen. There are six songs in the film. These include “Call of the Canyon,” "Boots and Saddle, “Montana Plains,” and "Coronation March.” Other players are Smiley Burnette. Ruth Terry, Joe Straunch, Thurston Hall, and Edmund Mac Donald. , The film is a Republic production, and was directed by Joseph Stantley. The supporting feature is “The Soul of a Monster,” a Columbia picture with Rose Hobart, George Macready. Jim Bannon, Jeanne Bates, and Erik Rolf as the. leading players. The film was directed by Will Jason and produced by Ted Richmond from a screen play by Edward Dein.

PLAZA “IN THIS OUR LIFE” One of the year’s most poignant dramas, “In This Our Life,” will continue its season to-day at the Plaza Theatre. The film has a brilliant cast with Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, Dennis Morgan, and George Brent in the leading roles. The supporting cast is headed by Charles Coburn, Frank Craven, and Billie Burke. The story concerns a once proud family, the Timberlakes, who have lost much of their prestige. Bette Davis plays the role of Stanley, a capricious, inconsiderate girl who believes her own happiness is the only thing that matters. The role of her sister Roy is taken by Olivia de Havilland; George Brent appears as Stanley’s fiance, and Dennis Morgan as Roy’s husband, Christchurch audiences who enjoyed the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, which appeared some time ago at the Plaza in “The Gay Parisian," will welcome “Spanish Fiesta,” featuring a cast almost identical with that in the previous ballet number. “Spanish Fiesta is included in the programme for this week. CENTURY “LADIES IN RETIREMENT” Louis Hayward and Ida Lupino have the leading roles in “Ladies in Retirement,” which will be shown today at the Century Theatre. The story is set in a picturesque house on the lonely fog-bound marshlands close to the English coast. The house is owned by a retired actress. Ida Lupino plays the part of her companion, whose efforts to obtain a sanctuary tor tor two unbalanced sisteis the basic motiyeeithe dßlto**