CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25091, 24 January 1947, Page 3

CITY THEATRES

PLAZA “THE OVERLANDERS” The film, “The Overlanders,” now showing at the Plaza Theatre, confirms overseas reports that Australia had produced a screen epic. The picture will continue its Christchurch season to-day. The story is a simple one, but it is unfolded enthrallingly. The threat of Japanese invasion meant the removal of great herds of cattle from the Northern Territories of Australia, and the only chance of doing this was to drive them overland into Queensland, a journey of 2000 miles. “The Overlanders” commemorates the start of this cattle migration. It follows the fortunes of one band of drovers, who start out from the north at the wrong time of the year and make their way slowly and with many setbacks across a vast and unsympathetic tract of. country. The problems that beset them are enormous; the fear of thirst and the constant danger of stampede are their unwelcome companions throughout the trek. The leading roles are played by “Chips” Rafferty and Daphne Campbell. CRYSTAL PALACE “SMOKY” “Smoky,” a grand story of the West, tells of one man’s love of danger and of one woman’s love of a man, and of the events that patterned their lives into a thrilling adventure. In ‘ Smoky, which is being continued at the Crystal Palace, Fred Mac Murray brings to 'vivid screen life the lead role of the story’s rugged and dangerloving cowpuncher. He plays the part of Clint Barkley with sincerity. Anne Baxter plays the part of the owner of the ranch on which Barkley keeps his rendezvous with fate. A feature of the. film is the introduction of the troubadour Burl Ives. Bruce Cabot, Esther Dale, Roy Roberts, and J. Farrell Macdonald head the supporting cast of more than 100 players. The film was directed by Louis King. Beautiful Technicolour enhances the scenes of outdoor life.

MAYFAIR “CARAVAN” “Caravan,” the new Gainsborough film which will be shown again this week at the Mayfair Theatre, is claimed by overseas critics as a worthy successor to ‘‘Madonna of the Seven Moons” and “The Wicked Lady.” Starring Stewart Granger, Jean Kent. Anne Crawford and Dennis Price, the film is set in England and Spain during the 1840’s and tells a’rousing story of adventure and romance. Granger plays the part of Richard Darrell, son of a poor country doctor and a Spanish mother. He grows up with Oriana (Anne Crawford). the daughter of the local squire. Richard and Oriana fall in love, but when Richard goes to Spain to seek his fortune he is robbed and left for dead in the mountains. Oriana eventually agrees to marry Francis (Dennis Price), the son of a rich man. In Spain Richard meets Rosal (Jean Kent), a lovely gipsy dancer who saves his life after the bandits have left him. The latter part of the film, which is full of action and drama, tells how Richard and Oriana eventually come together again. STATE “THE BELLS OF ST. MARY’S” ‘‘The Bells of St. Mary’s” will be shown at the State Theatre again this week. In this picture, Leo McCarey has developed a sprightly conflict of motives, such as often enters ordinary family life. Although the views of Bing Crosby, as Father O’Malley, and those of Ingrid Bergman as the Sister Superior in charge of the school, differ as to how their big family of children should be reared, the story is played in a genial and appealing, manner, delightfully pleasing to all who see it. Adding to the interest of the production are the several songs sung by Bing Crosby, comprising three popular numbers and two hymns. Ingrid Bergman sings a simple Swedish ballad. Those taking part in the supporting roles include Henry Travers, William Gargan, Ruth Donnelly, and Joan Carroll.

MAJESTIC “THREE WISE FOOLS” Margaret O’Brien appears on the screen in another captivating role as the heroine of “Three Wise Fools,” which commences a Christchurch season at the Majestic Theatre to-day. She plays the part of a little Irish girl with a firm belief in pixies and the enchantment they can bring into life. How she manages to convert three synical bachelors to her belief in the leprechauns makes for a fresh and constantly diverting comedy. Lionel Barrymore, Lewis Stone, and Edward Arnold play the respective roles of doctor, judge, and banker, whose bleak household is upset by the arrival from Ireland of Sheila O’Monahan, granddaughter of a girl whom all three loved. While the new arrival provides at first a shock to the smug trio, they are finally won around by the first bit of affection they have experienced in years. The director of the film, Edward Buzzell, deserves credit for first-class work.

CENTURY “THE CORSICAN BROTHERS” Edward Small, who previously made highly successful translations of Alexandre Dumas’s stories, “The Count of Monte Cristo” and “The Man in the Iron Mask,” has taken apoQier of Dumas’s famous novels and produced a further highly entertaining and lavish film. It is “The Corsican Brothers,” with Douglas Fairbanks, jun., playing the dual role of the celebrated twins. This fijm is showing for a short return season in Christchurch at the Century Theatre. Other players in the film are Ruth Warwick, Akim Tamiroff, Henry Wilcoxon, J. Carroll Naish, H. B. Warner, and Gloria Holden. EMPIRE “MOLLY AND ME” The barbed tongue behind the famous Woolley beard, the highspirited humour of Gracie Fields and “Roddy McDowall’s?comedy provide an exciting story of love and hilarity in “Molly and Me,” which opened a season at the Empire Theatre yesterday. Gracie Fields sings several new songs, in addition to some old favourites. Tommy Trinder makes a return to the screen in a gay musical in “Fiddlers Three,” the second feature. The setting is made in ancient Rome. The supporting roles are played by Frances Day and Sonnie Hale.

LIBERTY “CAPTAIN KIDD” A thrilling story of piracy on the high seas, ‘‘Captain Kidd,” starring Charles Laughton, will commence a season at the Liberty Theatre to-day. Captain Kidd’s career was one of the most spectacular of a picturesque era. Kidd is presented against the background of his times, a background of violent extremes. On the one hand is the bewigged aristocracy, and on the other a fierce man of action who hunted the seas in search of fabulous treasures, It is a lusty story, brilliantly paced and moving quickly from thrill to thrill in a mood of suspense to a thrilling climax. Supporting Laughton are Randolph Scott, as Adam Mercy. Nemesis of the pirate king, Barbara Britton. John Carradine. and Reginald Owen. The second feature, “About Face,” starring William Tracy and Joe Sawyer, is a hilarious Hal Roach comedy hit. ST. JAMES’ “THE DALTONS RIDE AGAIN” Four , famous brothers probably reach the height of their dangerous outlaw careers in the Universal picture, “The Daltons Ride Again,” which will commence a season at the St. James’ Theatre to-day. The- film is based on an incident in the life of Emmett Dalton, which preceded a raid on Cofferville, Kansas, in 1892 when the outlaws went to their destruction in attempting a bank robbery. Alan Curtis plays the role of Emmett Dalton, and the roles of the other brothers are filled by Lon Chaney. Noah Beery, jun., and Kent Taylor. Martha O'Driscoll is cast as the daughter of a Coffeyville editor and gives a tender performance as one who promises to wait when Emmett Dalton is sentenced to imprisonment, after the deaths of his brothers. The second feature, “Dancing in Manhattan,” is a bright murder mystery starring Fred Brady, Jeff Donnell, and William Wright