TO-MORROW'S PROGRAMMES

Evening Star, Issue 25422, 1 March 1945, Page 7

TO-MORROW'S PROGRAMMES

REGENT. Fun, fast and furious, will be provided for patrons of the Regent to-morrow, when ' The Man Who Came To Dinner,' will be screened, with Bette Davis, Ann Sheridan, and Monty Woolley at the head of a strong cast. Woolley appears in the role of Sheridan Whiteside, famous lecturer and vitriolic wit; Bette Davis plays his sophisticated secretary: and Ann Sheridan portrays the stage actress he imports to break up Bette's romance, when he believes she is about to leave her job for marriage. Included in the featured cast are Jimmy Durante, Billie Burke, Reginald Gardiner, George Barbier, Richard Travis, and Elisabeth Eraser. The supporting programme includes ' The Ballet (Russe de Monte Carlo), a whirl of dancing and music in technicolour, and ' V-l,' depicting in 10 minutes London's 80-day ordeal, ST. JAMES. ' Always in My Heart,' which will commence a season at the St. James to-mor-row, is a gay musical comedy which features Gloria Warren, the 15-year-old singing star. Two of Hollywood's most talented players, Kay Francis and Walter Huston, play the leading adult roles in the story, and the supporting cast is headed by Erankie Thomas, six-year-old Patty Hale, Una O'Connor, and Sidney Blackmer, with Borrah Minneyitch and his Rascals providing music. This picture was being screened in Dunedin recently, but the floods in South Canterbury necessitated a curtailment of the season to enable the film to be despatched hurriedly to Invorcargill to replace a programme that was flood-bound in Timaru. STATE. Drama and comedy of the finest brand are provjued in ' Rhythm Serenade,' a big Columbia feature which will be screened at ..the State to-nibrrow, with Vera Lynn in the leading role and Peter Murray-Hill and those two fine comedians, Jimmie Jewell and Ben Warriss, in the featured cast. Miss Lynn gives a line performance in the film-, and proves that, in addition to being the screen s incomparable vocalist, she is .also an actress of ability in both drama and comedy. During the course of the picture, Miss Lynn sings live new numbers, all of which have been specially written for the occasion. The five song 3 are 'I Love to Sing,' 'lt Doesn't Cost a Dime,' ■'So It Goes On,' 'With All My Heart,' and ' Bye-and-bye.' OCTAGON. Laurence Olivier, whose many screen successes include ' Rebecca ' and ' Forty-ninth Parallel.' scores another triumph in the delightful comedy, ' The Demi-Paradise,' which will continue its season at the Octagon, for another week. Olivier has the role of a young Russian engineer who is sent to England, where he arrives filled with all the prejudices of the average foreigner. He understands neither the customs of the country nor the people he meets, until a pretty English girl (played by Penelope Ward) helps him to realise that superficial mannerisms.are not everything. Though comedy is the predominant note in the film, there is no lack of drama and suspense, and Olivier's performance has been described as one of the most brilliant characterisations of recent memory. EMPIRE.

A big comedy film, ' The Body Disappears,' will head the new programme which will be presented to patrons of the Empire to-morrow. In the starring roles are Jane Wyman and Jeffrey Lynn, supported by Edward Everett Horton. Vera Lews, Herbert Anderson, Marguerite Chapman Craig Stevena, and many others. Peter De Haven, played by Jeffrey Lynn, dies suddenly at a party given for him the night before be is to be married. Professor Shotesbury (Edward Everett Horton). who is carrying out experiments in reviving the dead, restores life to De Haven, but soon everything but his clothing becomes invisible. Shotesbury's daughter (Jane Wyman) visits the laboratory and admires the cut of Peter's clothes. Astonishing and at times embarrassing situations bring the picture to an uproarious climax. The supporting programme includes ' Daughter of Rosy O'Grady,' co-starring the six-year-old Patty Hale, with Al Shean, of Gallagher and Shean fame; ' Here Comes the Cavalry,' filmed with the co-operation of the United States Cavalry; and ' Daffy's Southern Exposure.' cartoon.

STRAND. A Western thriller, with a nice blending of comedy, ' Song of Texas.' is the main attraction in the new programme scheduled for release at the Strand to-morrow. It depicts Boy Rogers, the popular screen cowboy, in one of his most spectacular adventures to date. The story is built around a modern rodeo and provides thrills in full measure. Sheila Ryan is co-starred with Rogers, and strong support •is given by Barton McLarie, William Haade, and Harry Shannon. The associate feature is a fastmoving drama, ' Smart Guy,' with Rick Vallin, Veda Ann Borg, Wanda McKay, and Jack La Rue in the leading roles, and including such favourites as Mary Gordon, Bobby Larson, . Addison Richards, Paul McVey, Roy Daniour, and Jon Dawson in the supporting cast.