CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24653, 24 August 1945, Page 3

CITY THEATRES

AVON

“TILL WE MEET AGAIN”

Paramount’s “Till We Meet Again, which will commence a season to-day at the Avon Theatre, is a testimonial to the courage and spirit ol those men and women of the French Underground Movement who have in recent years thrilled the world with their struggle for the liberation ol France. The action ol the film takes place m the heart of France. A French convent is suspected by the Gestapo ol being the hide-out of an American aviator (Ray JVUUand), who has been shot down in an air engagement. The Mother Superior (Lucile Watson) refuses admittance to the Nazis and is killed. One of the novices, Sister Clothilde, played by Barbara Britton, assumes the Mother Superior’s responsibilities as a member of the underground movement, and sacrifices her sheltered way of life to lead the American officer to safety. Others in the cast are Vladimir Sokoloff, Walter Slezak, and Mona Freeman.

CRYSTAL PALACE

“DEAR OCTOPUS”

The successful stage play, “Dear Octopus,” by Dodie Smith, has now been brought to the screen and will commence a season to-day at the Crystal Palace Theatre. The leading roles are played by Margaret Lockwood as Penny Felton, and Michael Wilding as Nicholas Randolph. The “Dear Octopus” of the film is the Randolph family, headed by Dora (Helen Haye), and Charles (Frederick Leister), whose golden wedding celebrations form the centre of the story. Michael Wilding as Nicholas, the eldest son. explains the title of the film in his speech at the family dinnerparty when he says “A toast to the family —that dear octopus from whose tentacles we never quite escape, nor, in our innermost hearts, ever quite wish to.”

“Dear Octopus” is a Gainsborough picture, produced by Papl Soskin and directed by Harold French.

MAYFAIR

“THUNDERHEAD”

“My Friend Flicka,” the film version of Mary O’Hara’s best-selling novel, which was screened in Christchurch some time ago. achieved great popularity, and it is expected that its sequel, “Thunderhead,” which will continue its season to-day at the Mayfair Theatre, will be equally popular. Roddy McDowall again has the leading role, and the story this time deals with his adventures with Thunderhead, the son of Flicka. Roddy McDowall now needs no introduction to theatregoers He is well known through his outstanding acting in “How Green Was My Valley” and “The Pied Piper.” The part of the ranch owner. Roddy’s father, is again taken by Preston Foster. and Rita Johnson appears as Foster’s wife.

STATE

“MOLLY • AND ME”

Monty Woolley and Grade Wields, the popular comedy team of “Holy, Matrimony,’’ appear together again in “Molly and Me,” which will be screened again this week at the State Theatre Roddy McDowall is also included in the cast . . Many ot Gracie Fields’s admirers were disappointed that she did not sing in her first Hollywood picture, “Holy Matrimony.” However, she makes up for this omission in her second film, and sings six songs of the type that has made her famous. They include, “Christopher Robin,” My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean,” "The Artfulness, the Sinfulness, the Wickedness of Men,” and “I Passed by Your Window ” The screening of this picture so soon after the appearance of Gracie Fields in Christchurch will be welcomed by many who were unable to see her during her brief visit.

PLAZA

“NOW, VOYAGER”

In her latest picture. Warner Brothers’ “Now. Voyager,’’ which will continue its season to-day at the Plaza Theatre, Bette Davis has a role which is said to surpass ■ anything she has done before. She plays the part of Charlotte Vale, a neurotic daughter of a strict New England mother (Gladys Cooper). Her hatred of her mother culminates in a nervous breakdown The part of the psychiatrist who is instrumental in her return to mental health is taken by Claude Rains. Paul Henreid, who will be remembered for his performance in "Casablanca,” has the male lead, as an unhappily married man with whom (marlotte falls in love.

“Miracle Makers,” a special feature explaining the theory of the atom, and the development of atomic energy as used in the atomic bomb, is also on the programme.