CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24677, 21 September 1945, Page 3

CITY THEATRES

AVON “MARRIAGE IS A PRIVATE AFFAIR” Lana Turner, John Hodiak, and James Craig have the leading roles in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s ‘Marriage Is a Private Affair,” which will continue its season to-day at the Avon Theatre. As Theodora West,‘the heroine of this screen version of Judith Kelly’s novel, Lana Turner is said to give her most versatile performance. She sings for the first time, and dances for the first time in five years, in musical interludes in the dramatic story. ‘Marriage Is a Private Affair” is the story of a frivolous society girl who finds herself suddenly forced to settle down and make a home for her husband released from service. Not until her marriage crumbles about her does she realise the true value of her home and try to rectify matters. STATE “SENSATIONS OF 1945” The highest proportion of musical numbers ever to be presented in a single feature is said to have been included in Andrew Stone’s extravaganza “Sensations of 1945,” which will be screened again this week at the State Theatre. Eleanor Powell has the leading role in this story of life in the show business. Other players include Dennis O’Keefe, W. C. Fields. Sophie Tucker, Eugene Pallette, C. Aubrey Smith, David Lichine, and Dorothy Donegan. The bands of Cab Calloway and Woody Herman are featured, and six original songs have been written for the film by Harry Tobias and A 1 Sherman. “Sensations of 1945” is based on a story by Frederick Jackson, and is released through United Artists. PLAZA “THE HARD WAY” A tense, moving drama of a woman’s ruthless ambition coupled with an intense love for her sister, and its effect upon the lives of others, is presented in “The Hard Way," which will be screened again this week at the Plaza Theatre. The film stars Ida Lupino, Dennis Morgan, and Joan Leslie, and the supporting cast includes Jack Carson and Gladys George. ‘‘The Hard Way” tells the story of a relentless and frustrated woman, Helen Chernen, played by Ida Lupino, who is so determined for a better way of life for her sister (Joan Leslie) that, to attain it. she breaks all the rules of human decency and wins the scorn and hatred of her sister. Of special interest to women fllmEoers are the dresses worn by Ida upino and Joan Leslie, which were designed by Orry-Kelly, chief studio wardrobe designer. MAYFAIR “PIN-UP GIRL” Twentieth Century-Fox’s technicolour production, “Pin-Up Girl," starring Betty Grable, will commence a season to-day at the Mayfair Theatre. Betty Grable appears in a dual role. She is a singing and dancing night club entertainer, and by day a prim and efficient stenographer. John Harvey plays the leading male role, and other featured players are Joe E. Brown, Martha Raye, and Eugene Pallette. Seven new tunes were written for the film by Mack Gordon and James Monaco. Included among the songs, which are played by Charlie Spivak’s orchestra, are “You’re My Little PinUp Girl,” “Time Alone Will Tell,” and “Once Too Often.” A collar skating sequence headed by Gloria Nord is featured in the film and the Condos brothers are also seen in their wellknown dance routines. CRYSTAL PALACE “ABROAD WITH TWO YANKS” The latest Edward Small comedy, “Abroad With Two Yanks,” is the current attraction at the Crystal Palace Theatre; The film stars William Bendix, Dennis O'Keefe, and Helen Walker, and deals with the lighter side of war, with Bendix and O’Keefe playing the roles of two American marines who land in Australia on furlough. Helen Walker plays the part of Joyce Stuart, the innocent cause of the trouble which ensues when a case of mistaken identity arises. The cast includes John Ijoder, George Cleveland, and Janet Lambert. “Abroad With Two Yanks,” which is a United Artists release, is based on an orginial story by Fred Gucol and was directed by Allan Dwan. LIBERTY “HAPPY LAND” The film version of MacKinlay Kantor’s “Happy Land,” the story of a typical small-town American merchant and his wife who found courage and faith only after they thought they had lost everything, will be the main feature at the Liberty Theatre this week. The leading players are Ann Rutherford, Don Ameche, and Frances Dee. Also in the cast are Cara Williams, Richard Crane, and Henry Morgan. “Happy Land” was directed by Irving Pichel and produced by Kenneth Macgowan. The second feature is "Music in Manhattan.” a romantic comedy starring Anne Shirley, Dennis Day. and Phillip Terry. The musical background is supplied by Charlie Barnet’s orchestra. The film was produced by John H. Auer.