CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25269, 22 August 1947, Page 5

CITY THEATRES

STATE “SONG OF THE SOUTH” Using the immortal Uncle Remus tales, written by Joe Chandler, as the core of his new picture. “Song of the south,” Walt . Disney brings an unusual production to the screen at the state Theatre again this week. The film is a musical drama set in technicolour, with living players and interpolations of animation sequences lor which Disney is famous. Song ot the South” is Lased on the famous American stories of folk-lore which dealt with the adventures of Brer Rabbit and his friends —folk-lore which derives fiom the American negro and his forebears. The tales were first printed in 1870. and it was not long before they were translated into almost every language. It was thought at one time that the Brer Rabbit stories were the best sellers in thu world next to the Bible and Pilgrim’s Progress. In the animated sequences of the picture, Brei Rabbit outwits and circumvents two mischievous characters. Brer Fox and Brer Bear. Uncle Remus is played by a newcomer to films, James Baskett, who is famous in American radio programmes for his rich voice. Two juveniles, Bobby Driscoll and Luana Patten, also appear in the film. The film runs the .gamut of human emotions irom joy to pathos, and ther are some very appealing song sequences. One of the songs has had an unprecedented run in Australia since this film was shown there.

ST. JAMES’ “THE SECRET SERVICE” The main film now showing at the St. James’ Theatre, “The Secret Service,” stars Sidney Toler, in his nowlamous role as the Chinese detective, Charlie Chan. The film relates the story of an inventor and his death alter secret agents found that he had perfected a secret weapon The plans are removed from his person at the time of the murder, and as there are many persons present when he is killed, .ncluding several guests from countries, there is considerable difficulty in Apprehending the murderer; but Charlie Chan, living up to •ifi re P u t a tion, finds the one responsible. The. supporting feature is “Dangerous Partners,” a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, in which James Craig and Signe Hasso appear. Like the preceding film, it deals with war secrets. An aeroplane crashes, and the disaster leads to the discovery ,of a mysterious steel brief case, starting a series of adventures which culminate in the uncovering of a criminal plot which would strike at the heart of America. “Dangerous Partners” is a fast-moving screen play and Signe Hasso plays the part of an adventuress Craig as a rather shady lawyer. The film was directed by Edward Cahn and produced by Arthur Field. LIBERTY “PARDON MY GUN” One hundred thousand dollars, bandits, murder, and Charles Starrett, appear in the main film at the Libertv Theatre, “Pardon My Gun,” which opens its Christchurch season to-day The story, Which was directed by William Berke, is concerned with Starrett’s efforts to round up a murdering band of outlaws who are at work in a small fruitier town. His efforts to bring this about are made somewhat difficult at the start, since he himself is framed for a murder. The supporting cast includes Alma Carroll and Arthur “Arkansas” Hunnicutt, and there are a number of songs in the script. The second feature. “It’s Great To 3e Young," stars Leslie Brooks, and is a bright musical picture. Some of Colombia’s younger stars, Jimmy Lloyd, Jeff Donnell, and Robert Stanton, appear in this film, and there is a group of newcomers to the screen including a dancer. Jack Williams, a pianist. Jack Fins, a comedienne, Pat Yankee, and the musical ensemble of Milton De Lugg and his band. The film was directed by Del Ward.

MAYFAIR “GREAT EXPECTATIONS” The most unusual of the Charles Dickens’ novels, “Great Expectations,” is adapted to the screen in the film which will continue its season at the Mayfair Theatre this week. Set m England, with an all-British cast, “Great Expectations” stars John Mills as Pip, the poor boy of the blacksmith’s shop who comes into a fortune, which is left him by an unknown benefactor. The film is a J. Arthur Rank production. The main female lead is taken by Valerie Hobson. ,and others in the cast are Bernard Miles. Martita Hunt, and Frances Sullivan. The opening sequences of the film I re uncanny and suggestive, as Pip, in the fog of the fen country, runs across the marshes to deposit flowers on a grave in the tumbledown cemetery. Gallows erected on the tow-paths give more suggestion to the eeriness of the setting The story closely follows the novel and Miss Favisham. the eccentric hypochondriac who lives in the vast house, the main room of which is still set for her wedding breakfast which was nevei eaten is reproduced strikingly. The plot is handled powerfully and this film has been accepted as a masterpiece in both England and America. Humour and pathos are skilfully blended, little deviation being made from the original story (too long to permit of filming), and the social habits and manners of the early nineteenth century are shown to perfection, the meh with their monstrous cravats and hats, the women with their innumerable petticoats and wrappings. MAJESTIC “GALLANT BESS” The story of a youth who lost his parents and who lavishes his affections on an intelligent and devoted horse, appears in picture form this week at the Majestic Theatre in the film “Gallant Bess.” 'Marshall Thompson, who plays the main lead in the film as the owner of the horse, Bess, joins the Navy at the outbreak of war and learns while he is away that his horse •has died while foaling. He is inconsolable until he discovers on the Pacific island where he is stationed, another horse, which he calls Bess. too. The story gives adequate scope to the acting abilities of the trained horse, and the film is produced in the new cinecolour, a process which reproduces outdoor settings in colours as they are seen with the eye. The horse. Bess, is a thoroughbred Arabian, and has won prizes throughout America for its remarkable feats. The film is a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, and supporting actors are George Tobias. Clem Bevans, and Jim Davis.

EMPIRE

“THE SEVENTH VEIL” A psychological film which tells of a strange mental affliction which possessed a concert pianist. “The Seventh Veil,” starring James Mason and Ann Todd, will open at the Empire Theatre to-day. Mason plays the part of a lame guardian to A-nn Todd, who appears as the gifted young pianist, and his capacity for. acting as the bad man of the screen<fia well demonstrated

throughout this screening. Compositions oi Chopin, Beethoven, Mozart, and Rachmaninoff are played during the film. The supporting feature is “Janie Gets Married," and the principal stars are Joai. Leslie. Robert Hutton, Edward Arnold, and Ann Harding. The filrp is a comedy dealing with the first year of married life of a young couple. CENTURY “THIS LOVE OF OURS” Starring Merle Oberon, Claude Rains, and Charles Korvin, the Universal film, “This Love of Ours,’’ will open at the Century Theatre to-day. The theme for this picture centres on the complex feelings of a 12-year-old girl vzho is torn between love for her father and hatred for his new wife. Merle Oberon appears as the wife. Claude Rains plays the part of the “other man,” and is a charcoal artist who expresses himself by caricaturing. Korvin is the husband. The film was directed by William Dieterle. CRYSTAL PALACE “TARZAN AND THE LEOPARD WOMAN” The new R.K.O. film which will appear at the Crystal Palace Theatre today is an adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel of the same name. “Tarzan and the Leopard Woman.” Johnny Weissmuller appears in the title role as Tarzan, the lord of the jungle, and is he supported by Brenda Joyce, Johnny Sheffield, Acquanetta. and Cheta, the chimpanzee, all of whom have appeared in previous Tarzan films. Acquanetta plays the part of the high priestess of an obscure and dangerous leopard cult m Africa whose activities, which include murdering unsuspecting travellers with iron claws, it is the duty of Tarzan to quell. Ritual murders and sacrifices are part of the plot, which has the jungle of Central Africa as its setting. Johnny Sheffield plays the part of Tarzan’s adopted son in this film. .Other members of the cast are Edgar Barrier, Tommy Cook, Dennis Hoey, and Anthony Caruso. Kurt Newman directed the film. PLAZA • “THE PLAINSMAN” It is some years since the film, “The Plainsman,’’ which will open its Christchurch season at the Plaza Theatre to-day, was shown in Christchurch, .but during its earlier screening it attracted a wide following. “Hie Plainsman” is a Cecil B. DeMille romantic drama of the American West, as the name implies, featuring such legendary characters as “Wild Bill” Hickock. “Calamity” Jane. Buffalo Bill, and General Custer. The cast is headed by Gary Cooper, Jean Arthur, James Ellison, and Charles Bickford. Savage Indians who harry white settlers and lines of communication, swaggering villains, and plenty of action in the outdoors, are the main components of this film which tells the story of the rugged pioneering days and the opening up of the American hinterland in the face of constant danger from hostile Indians and unbroken country. Cooper takes the part of Hickock in the picturfe. and James Ellison is Buffalo Bill. The film is approved for universal exhibition.