More new films

Press, 27 February 1986, Page 10

More new films

From the true story of a woman hanged for murder to comic romance, and horror, there are plenty of choices for the cinemagoer, as new films begin screening tomorrow. “White Nights,” the story of a defector whose aircraft is forced down in the Soviet Union, starts at the Westend. At the Regent One, “Fright Night” tells of a teenager’s efforts to flushout a vampire, with help from Roddy McDcwall as the host of a television scare programme. ,v Newcomer Miranda Richardson has won much acclaim for her portrait of a convicted murderess in “Dance with a Stranger,” which , will begin at the Savoy One. The Carlton will show “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” the story, of two Catholic schoolgirls, determined to become dancers on a top show. Competition is fierce, <and so too are the lengths that some people will go to stop them. There’s time, though, for fun and romance. “The Country Girls,” starring New Zealander, Sam Neill, continues at the Academy. “Amadeus,” in contention for British awards, is back: this time at the Midcity. “Comfort and Joy,” a Bill Forsyth cdmedy, featuring music by Dire Straits, will show at the Hollywood, Sumner.

Miranda Richardson, as Ruth' Ellis, the last woman to be hanged. in England, whose story is told in “Dance with a Stranger.” ' § . Ellis, a nightclub hostess and mother of two, shot her lover, David Blakely, in 1955. Soon after she went to the gallows. Her trial revealed a seamy tale of passion and violence which ran counter to the strict morals of the times. It fascinated millions of Britons, and led to a campaign to abolish the death penalty.

Ellis ' had not one but two regular lovers. Her confidant, Desmond Cussen (lan Holm), took her in when her tempestuous affair / with Blakely (Ruper Everett) began to wane)

The screenwriter for “Dance with a Stranger,” Shelagh Delaney, secured the assistance of Ellis’s sister, Muriel, to accurately reflect the character of a woman widely considered to be an alcoholic tart

The director, Mike Newell, has handled stories of murder before. He came to New Zealand to make “Bad Blood,” the story of Stanley Graham.