PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 23743, 26 November 1940, Page 5

PICTURE THEATRES

GRAND

Gene Autry and Jane Withers are at the head of the cast in ‘ Shooting High,’ the main attraction at the Grand. The film is a fast-moving one, with plenty of action, a charming romance, and a group of new songs, put over in fine style by the two principals. ‘ What Would You Do, Churns? ’ the second film, is as unusual as its title. It is as colourful a slice of English Cockney life yet screened. A CONVINCING STORY. ‘My Son Is Guilty,’ which will be screened at the Grand to-morrow, is one of those all-too-rare films which combine convincing characterisations, believable and exciting incident and sound down-to-earth human values into a whirlwind'of exciting entertainment. 1 Cafe Hostess,’ Columbia’s absorbing drama, dealing with the girls who are forced, through unfortunate circumstances, to work as hostesses in modern city night clubs, will be in support.

STATE

Loretta Young and Ray Milland are responsible for delightful characterisations in ' The Doctor Takes a Wife,’ the hilarious comedy which heads the current programme at the State. Nothing could bo more infectious than the spontaneous and spirited fun with which this picture abounds. One finds Loretta Young in all her glamorous glory as a fanatic feminist swept by 9kcumstances into marriage with Ray Milland, who is trying to cloak his flaming youth with the cynical mask of the woman-hater. THE POPULAR SANDY POWELL. ‘ All at Sea,’ the next attraction for the State, is a G.B.D. picture directed by Herbert Smith, and introduces Sandy Powell in Ids funniest/screen role, that of A.B. Skipton. who wages a lone fight against a pair of enemy agents who are. trying to steal a secret new high explosive. Sandy takes the explosive away with him when he is discharged from a chemical factory where he is employed as a messenger, joins the navy, and is sent to the Mediterranean. The crooks chase after him, and then ensues a series of hilarious thrills, in which first Sandy and then the crooks obtain possession of the explosive.

OCTAGON

Hilarious, gay, and entertaining describes ‘ Turnabout,’ the feature attraction on the new programme at the Octagon. There is comedy in plenty from the opening scene to the last. The picture, in fact, is comedy supreme. The story material is handled well, and without resort to dream devices or other narrative provision for optional interpretation. The film opens m the luxurious bedroom of Tim and Sally Willows, athletic mainspring of a high-powered advertising agency, and his indolent spouse. After a day in which he carries on his business at high speed while his wife lies in bed, they quarrel and express a mutual wish that they might change places. Nextmorning Tim and Sally awaken to find their personalities, voices, and mannerisms transposed. Adolphe Monjou, Carole Landis, ami .fohn Hubbard, who take the principal roles, all give convincing performances.

STRAND

One of the most thrilling romantic action stories ever filmed is being shown at the Strand this week. It is ‘ Love Takes Plight,’ starring Bruce Cabot and Beatrice .Roberts. It is supported on the bill by a gripping new mystery drama entitled ‘ International Crime,’ which lias as its stars Rod La Rocquc and Astrid Ahvyn, accompanied by a big cast. This feature, replete with thrills, is the extraordinary tale of a man who is involved in a network of international intrigue through no wish of his own.

REGENT

The name of Bette Davis is now synonymous with first-class dramatic entertainment; therefore, it is not surprising that ‘ The Old Maid,’ which is attracting en thusiastic houses to the Regent, is outstanding. One reviewer has said of this film that if it is not given the- Academy Award the critics either do not know their jobs or they have not seen ‘ The Old Maid.’ ‘The Old Maid ’ is the tale of two girls, cousins of a proud old Philadelphia family, and its period ranges from the beginning of the American Civil War in 1861 up into the 1880’s. As Delia, Miriam Hopkins is so good in some scenes that she almost steals them from Bette Davis, a feat which only an actress of her ability could hope to achieve. FRED ASTAIR AND ELEANOR POWELL. Teaming for the first time, Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell, world’s greatest male and# feminine tap dancers, M.G.M.’s ‘ Broadway Melody of 1940,’ which will be presented at the Regent on Friday, provides spectacular settings, tuneful music, and terpsichorean artistry in every conceivable form. With the two stars is George Murphy, among Hollywood’s leading dance stars. Together the three execute nine dance numbers in trios, duets, and solos. The cast is given further colour by the comedy of Frank Morgan and the appearance in the leading roles of lan Hunter, Florence Rice, Lynne Carver, Ann Morriss, Trixie Firschke, and Douglas M’Phail.

EMPIRE

Not for years lias such a startlingly new idea come from Hollywood as is used m ■ The Boys from Syracuse,’ which heads the new bill at the Empire. This is burlesque of the highest degree, and a constant source of delight to patrons. It has comedy, ro- i mauce, music, and dancing, and a brilliant cast of comedians, including Joe Fenner. Alan Mowbray, Eric Blore, Charles Butterworth and the inimitable Martha Raye. Then there is an exceptionally strong trio of principals—Allan Jones, Rosemary Lane, and Irene Hervey. MORE NEW MELODIES. A sparkling pot-pourri of popular new melodies will bo presented by Bing Crosby, Dorothy Lamour, and Bob Hope in Paramount’s ‘ Road to Singapore,’ which will be shown on Friday at the Empire. The tunes include ‘Too Romantic,’ a number which has already been aired many times; ‘ Sweet Potato Piper,’ a novelty tune; and ‘ Gaigoon,’ the number to which Le Roy Prinz’a dancing girls perform. The other two numbers heard in the picture are the work of lyricist Johnny Burke and Victor Schortzinger. the versatile director of the picture. They are ‘ Captain Custard ’ and ‘ The Moon and the Willow Tree.’

ST. JAMES

A story blending the rugged life of Welsh mining with the Welshman’s and Welshwoman’s unfailing courage, warm-hearted-ness, and great love of music, is brought to the screen with one of the world’s most famous singers, Paul Robeson, in ‘The Proud Valley,’ which is now being shown at the St. Janies. The second picture is ‘ Blomlie Has Servant Trouble,’ in which the Bumstcad family has another series of amusing adventures. HOMELY DRAMA. The trend to simple, homespun, down-to-earth drama, which has been forging to tbe lead in publie favour, is definitely reflected in ‘Our Neighbours—the Carters,’ Paramount’s story of life in a small Ohio town, which will be presented on Friday at the St. James, with Frank Craven, Fay Bainter, Edmund Lowe, and Genevieve Tobin in the featured roles. The story of how a crooked boxing racket is smashed is told in Paramount’s ‘ Golden Gloves,’ which will bo the associate film. J. Carroll Naish appears in the role of a boxing promoter who exploits the talents of young, np-aml-coming fighlcrs to his own advantage and to the youngsters' detriment.

MAYFAIR

Tn the first view of it, the idea of Greta Garbo in comedy—brilliant, merry comedy—is an improbability, but, any who have any doubts on the subject need only spend a

night at the Mayfair to be convinced that in * Ninotcbka ’ the great actress, possibly one of the greatest the screen has produced, can shed her statuesque aloofness and romantic remoteness to excellent purpose. In ‘ Reno,' the supporting film, Richard Dix. Gail Patrick, Paul Cavanagb, and Anita Louise are stars in a story of a ghost (own which becomes a graveyard of broken hearts.