PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 25470, 28 April 1945, Page 12

PICTURE THEATRES

REGENT. ' This is the Ariuy,' Irving Berlin's spectacular technicolour production which 1 ' has beeu attracting capacity houses to the Regent is showing for a second week. The cast includes 35 of the original members ui the stage production, plus the heavyweight boxing champion of the world, Joe Louis. The radio star, Kate Smith, sings the hymn, ' God Bless America,' Frances Langford sings the new Berlin number, ' What Does Ho Look Like?' and Gertrude Neisen presents some of the composer's Work War I. tunes. EMPIRE, The principal attraction in the new programme at the Empire is ' The Hitler Gang,' an unusual screen portrayal of the gangsterlike methods adopted by Hitlers satellites. These notorious Nazis are effectively portrayed by screen " doubles.", and some of the principal imitations are those of Julius Stre.ichcr. Gregor Strasser. Ludendorfl, Ernst Roehm. Pastor Martin Niemoller, and Alfred Rosenberg. STATE. " Bellbottom George,' which stars the popular English comedian, George Form by, is screening for its second week at the State. The setting for the film is a modem restaurant aptly named "The Sea Horse," a 6pot at an unnamed port much frequented by servicemen. Here George brings an attractive young Wren, played by Anne Firth, who has stolen his heart, but is yet to be won. A series of hilarious sequences follow, and slowly but surely the well-inten-tioned George comes to grief. OCTAGON. An American girl's war-time romance is the structure upon which R.K.O. ißadio has built the plot of ' Tender Comrade,' Ginger Rogers's latest starring picture, which forms the chief attraction . in the new programme at the Octagon. With Robert Ryan as her leading man, the Academy Awardwinning star is said to have her most sympathetic role to date as the resolute nnd vital Jo. heroine of the drama. The story opens with Chris sent away and with Jo working in a defence plant. Her recollections of their life together are adroitly interwoven with her current problem of finding a place | to live, a problem she solves by joining some service wife friends in renting an | old house nnd engaging a housekeeper. What happens to Jo and' her friends there, and how she relives her romance to its poignant climax form the absorbing action of the drama. STRAND. ' King of the Cowboys,' a fast-mov-ing adventure story of the West is the chief attraction on the programme at the Strand. Featured in the film is the popular Roy Utodgers. t The associate feature on the bill is ' Take It Big,' a bright, musical production. GRAND. ', Twentieth Century-Fox's ' Song of the Islands,' a spectacular technicolour film starring Betty Grable, is the chief attraction at the Grand this week. The film offers romance and music against' a picturesque South Sea background. Victor Mature and Jack Oakie are featured, and others in the cast include Thomas Mitchell, George Barbier, Billy Gilbert (in the hilarious role of an erstwhile cannibal), Hilo Hattie. and Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians, interpreters of island music The story is fraught with romantic possibilities, and moves at a fast pace. 'I Thank You,' the associate film, is adapted from an original story by Howard Irving Young and provides a riotous sequence of comedy situations for the stars —Arthur Askey, Richard Murdoch. Moore Marriott, and Graham Moffat. ST. JAMES. Taken from William L. White's bestselling book, ' Journey for' Margaret,' Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's story of life in. bomb-blasted London, is now screening at the St. J ahies. Robert Young and Laraine Day are featured in the film, which has Fay Bainter, Margaret O'Brien, Nigel Bruce, and Billy Se?ern in supporting roles.. The story concerns the adventures of a famous war correspondent in London during the bombing of 1940. How' he meets two little war orphans and eventually rehabilitates their warshattered nerves by taking them to the comparative peace and quiet of America is the theme of the story. The associate features are an 'Our Gang' comedy, "Crime Does Not Pay,' and an M.G.M. miniature. MAYFAIR. The, outstanding British film, 'ln Whiclv We Serve,' will commence a season at the May fair to-day. The story, which was written by Noel Coward, is about the British Navy. It commences with the launching of the warship Torrin, and follows the career of this vessel until its destruction by dive-bombers in the Battle of Crete. The affection in which the ship was held by the crew is graphically depicted, John Mills, as Ordinary Seaman " Shorty " Blake, gives a superb performance, and Kay Walsh as "Shorty's" wife is equally successful. Strong support is given by David Lean, Bernard Miles, Walter Hardy, Celia Johnson, Joyce Carey, and 300 bluejackets; The associate feature is ' Flying With Music,' a Hal Roach comedy. '