CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24605, 29 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 Cory* non 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 sal the "little people” of Britain “This Happy Breed" recites the tale of great events, of all those things which stirred or sfr flicted 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 “GREENWICH VILLAGE” “Greenwich Village," which will commence a season at the Mayfair Theatre to-day, is a bright comedy and introduces three new songs. Filmed in Technicolour by 20th Century-Fox, the picture has a large cast, which includes Carmen Miranda, Don Ameche, William Bendix, and Vivian Blaine. Don Ameche plays the part of Kenneth Harvey, whose ambition is to have a concerto which he has composed played in the Carnegie Hall. He leaves his native Kansas for New York of the “roaring 20’s” and Greenwich Village. Carmen Miranda, who takes the role of a hostess, fortuneteller, and entertainer in a “speakeasy," meets Harvey, and there are many amusing conspiracies and hoaxes before the picture reaches an end. The dance sequences in the fllni are many and entertaining.

CRYSTAL PALACE “THE GENTLE SE&” “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 Lpndon 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

“THE MAN IN GREY” Lady Eleanor Smith’s novel "The Man in Grey" has for the first .time been made into a film by Gainsborough. The film, will continue Its season to-day at the Liberty Theatre. The dramatic story has been woven around a little trinket box, containing a number of odds and ends, a needle case, a snuff-box, and an ivory fan. The opening of the picture is in the year 1942 in Grosvenor square, at the home of the Rohan family, where an auction sale Is being held. One of the articles for auction is the trinket box. The camera then flashes back to the early nineteenth century and the story of tne trinket box. The leading roles are taken by James Mason as the Marquess of Rohan, the man in grey; Margaret Lockwood, and Phyllis Calvert. The supporting feature is “Thundering West," a Columbia picture.