PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 24138, 7 March 1942, Page 8

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON Boite Davis lias climbed to new heights of screen achievement in her powerful role as tlie grasping Regina Giddeus in Samuel Goldwyn’s screen production of Lillian Heilman’s noted stage hit, ‘ The Little Luxes,’ which is showing just now at the Octagon Theatre. The drama is an impressive one, being set in a small Southern town at the turn of the present century. The story in brief is that of one woman’s ruthless ambition and tile effect it Ims on those around her. Miss Davis’s portrayal of the Dixie vixen is characterised by all the assurance and conviction that has established her so high in the film firmament. Opposite her. as the unfortunate husband, is Herbert Marshall, who has previously played a similar role with Miss Davis with outstanding success. In this story ho is a long-suffering, treachery-victimised spouse, whose fortune is looted by his grasping, ruthless wife and her hand of iu-laws, and who in the long run is driven to his death by their devilry. Grim and forbidding, hut always masterful, the part of Regina gives Miss Davis exceptional opportunity for her special talents, while Marshall is at his best as the weary and disillusioned hanker. Miss Wright, making her film debut as Zan, and Carlson as her admirer, David, handle the romantic thread in notable fashion, while ' a quartet of distinguished stage players repeat for the camera the roles they _ enacted in the Herman Shumlin production on Broadway—Patricia Collinge as Oscar’s browbeaten wife, Charles Dingle as Ben, Carl Benton Reid as Oscar, and Dan Duryea as Leo. REGENT The film which opened at the Regent Theatre yesterday, ‘They Met in Bombay,’ has a topical interest in that the latter half of the story concerns a clash of arms between British and Japanese forces near Hongkong. It is a realistic piece of work, and the fact that the villain of the piece, a humorous, happy-go-lucky rogue, wins the V.C. and sets his feet back on ihe load to respectability, rounds off an interesting series of adventures in convincing style. ‘ They Met in Bombay ’ contains an abundance of action, and Rosalind Russell looks her most beautiful, and

gives a typically smooth performance. _ The plot concerns the adventures of a. pair of jewel thieves, portrayed by the principals, who meet ou Empire Day in Bombay and succeed in relieving the “ Duchess of Beltravers ” (Jessie Ralph) of a highly valuable trinket. After an exciting chase the two escape on a tramp steamer commanded by a rascally Asiatic (Peter Lorre) and proceeds by uneasy stages to Hongkong. After a series of adventures Gable is caught up in an international pother while impersonating a British Army officer. It is at this stage that the picture becomes exceptionally interesting, in view of tlio pre-sent-day events. A detachment of British troops is sent to evacuate a, village in the hill country, and it is here that complications arise with an ambitious motorised Japanese detachment. The unravelling of the tangle maintains the humour of the story and is a satisfactory fade-out. ‘ Ghost Treasure ’ is a particularly interesting item in a first, half which also includes a Fitzpatrick Travel Talk on Mexico and news reels. ST. JAMES The outstanding comedy ' Quiet Wedding,’ made in British studios, and produced by the man who made such a brilliant success of ‘ French Without Tears,’ has been transferred to the St. James Theatre, where evidence of its continued popularity is being provided in large audiences. This sparkling film is graced by witty dialogue, brilliantly-conceived situations, and excellent casting. True British humour is given full rein in ‘ Quiet Wedding,’ which has the talented Margaret Lockwood in the stellar role. In support are Derek Farr, a refreshing newcomer, as leading man, and others such as Marjorie Fielding, A. P. Matthews, and Margaretta Scott. The title to the film is blatantly ironical, for the wedding and the preparations for it are by no moans quiet and peaceful. The principals dislike fuss, so they decide to make their wedding a quiet one, with few guests. When the bride’s mother takes a hand, however, their plans are shattered, and large-scale preparations reduce the bride to a state of extreme irritation. She nearly decides to forgo the marriage, but in a whirlwind of comedy the bridegroom resorts to a plot to regain his fiancee’s affections. The supporting attractions include newsreels: a charming study of a dog, ‘His Tale a Popeye cartoon of some merit; and a circus-training feature. STATE A murder mystery that will keep the audience until the very last minute, * Hot Spot,’ the new film at the State Theatre, is adapted from the best-seller ‘I Wake,Up Screaming.’ a title which move aptly describes the production than tho one given it by Hollywood. 4 Hot Spot’ hardly indicates the merit of this thrilling and wellproduced picture, which contains enough action, suspense, and mystery to suit anyone. The cast does the film .full justice, and Ihe three principal players—Victor Mature, Carol Landis, and Betty Grable—give outstanding performances. Miss Landis is cast as a waitress who is taken from her job, “ glamourised ” in true Hollywood style,' and set on the -road to fame, only to be murdered. Mature, as her boy friend, suspected of tbo murder, eventually falls iu love with tho victim’s sister, a role taken by Miss Grable, who shows that she can act a straight part just as well as she can dance and sing. The finding of the real criminal by the two young people forms the basis of an exciting plot. The supporting programme includes a sports novelty on roller-skating, a film dealing with the Eskimos, a cartoon, and several newsreels. EMPIRE Written and directed by a former Dunedin man, Noel Monkman, and produced entirely in Australia under the banner of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, ' The PpWer and the Glory ’ opened a season at the Empire Theatre yesterday, and it should prove particularly interesting and entertaining to theatre-goers. The story of the film is an interesting one, with a strong cast of Australian players who fit perfectly into their various roles. It is the story of a famous scientist who is forced to leave Czechoslovakia when the Nazis invade the country. This patriotic scientist has invented a powerful new gas, and ho flees to Australia in order to keep his discovery away from the hated Nazis. His troubles are not over, for he is traced by the Gestapo, and excitement reigns supreme as Australians try to defeat the Nazi spy ring. Tho action moves along at a great pace as adventures occur ou land, sea, and in the air. Australian bombers and coastal patrol aircraft combine iu a thrilling attack on a Nazi U-boat and fighters, and tho film ends on a highly satisfactory note. The casting of the film has been carefully carried out. ‘ The Power and the Glory ’ introduces a new Australian star in Katriu Ilosselle, who, as tho professor’s daughter, supplies the romantic interest with Eric Bush as an Australian flight lieutenant. Lou Vernon is excellent as the Czech chemist, Eric Reiman gives a realistic portrayal of a brutal Nazi agent; Beatrice Wenban has a strong role, and Peter Finch, Charles Kilburn, and Joe Valli are well cast. The supporting programme includes latest news reels,, a Pathe Pictorial, a swing feature, 4 Varsity Vanities,’ and a further chapter of the serial, 4 Riders of Death Valley.’ STRAND The programme now screening at the Strand Theatre combines both exciting mystery-drama and bright comedy, and the entertainment is such as to cater for all tastes. The comedy 4 Henry Aldrich for President ’ is genuinely entertaining. It is the story of a youth whose honesty always gives the opposite impression, unfortunately for him. His misfortunes are further complicated when he is elected to the position of president of the college which he is attending, yet he still continues to tell the truth throughout. Nevertheless, he becomes involved in all manner of (roubles. This film moves at a fast pace, with Jimmy Lydon and June Preisser playing fine

parts. There are many very humorous episodes, and the film reaches an uproarious climax in a scene in an aeroplane. The other film, * Sealed Lips,’ has a brilliant cast in William Gargan, playing a suave role, June Clyde, John Litel, and Anne Nagel. This is a gripping drama, with mystery running strongly through the plot. Undoubtedly this is one of the strongest dramatic films of the year, and the story of the man who used the law to escape from the law will thrill audiences. Underworld thrills are a strong feature of the plot. GRAHD ‘ Parachute Battalion,’ a timely and interesting film, which graphically depicts the operations of the American army’s Parachute Corps, is the main film of the programme now showing at the Grand Theatre. Besides describing the experiences of young recruits, the film has an entertaining story woven through it. Robert Preston plays the part of a young recruit who has a successful career in the corps, and Edmund O’Brien is seen as a recruit who joins the corps unknown to his father, who is the coloaiel. The leading feminine role is taken by Nancy Kelly. The supporting film, * Six-gun Gold,’ is an exciting western which stars Tim Holt. HIS MAJESTY'S Some sequences that are thrilling to a degree, more than a spice of delightful comedy, a background which is singularly appropriate, and, above all, first-class acting, are the ingredients which make ‘ Night Train to Munich,’ the main feature on the programme, which commenced a season yesterday at His Majesty’s Theatre, one of the most entertaining films of its type. The production has all the tenseness of good old-fashioned melodrama, but this aspect is never obtrusive, for there are introduced smoothly-acted interludes which, just at the right moment, bring a welcome lightness to the more dramatic situations. The cast is headed by Margaret Lockwood and Rex Harrison, and includes Naunton Wayne and Basil Radford, whose whimsical foolery and smug comedy enable them to raise a laugh from situations apparently devoid of any humour whatever. * MAYFAIR The main feature on the programme which commenced a season at the Mayfair Theatre to-day is the delightfully refreshing film ‘ A Little Bit of Heaven.’ It is an outstanding picture. The brilliant young singer Gloria Jean has the leading role, and she sings some beautiful numbers. Robert Stack,, who plays opposite her, gives a fine performance. Others in the cast include Nan Grey and Billy Gilbert. The supporting film is an interesting mysterythriller, ’Scotland Yard.’ John Loder, Nancy Kelly, and Edmund Gw_enn are seen in the starring roles.