TO-MORROW'S PROGRAMMES

Evening Star, Issue 26043, 6 March 1947, Page 12

TO-MORROW'S PROGRAMMES

REGENT. A striking novelty in screen entertainment will bo shown to-morrow at the Regent. It is ‘ The Dark Mirror,’ which co-stars Oliva de Havilland and Lew Ayres. The picture remarkably works out a premise that supposedly identical twins can be diametric opposites, and builds exciting suspense in the process. Miss de Havilland plays the dual role of twin sisters, one_of whom committed a murder. Her rich delineations of divergent characters should clinch her claim to Academy Award honours. Ayres, returning to the screen after four years’ absence, looks more mature, and perhaps more romantic than in his previous starring roles. He does an excellent job. in the role of a psychiatrist who, by scientific deduction based upon graphic tests which are depicted interestingly, determines which of the two young ladies is capable of having committed the murder.' STATE. One of the year’s most intriguing murder-mystery films, ‘ Deadline at Dawn,’ has pride of place in to-mor-row’s new programme at the State. Susan Hayward, Paul Lucas, and Bill Williams are co-starred, and others with prominent parts are Joseph Calleia, Osa Massen, Lola Lane, and Jerome Cowan. The story revolves around Alex, a dazed young sailor on his last few hours’ leave in New York, who wanders into a Broadway dance hall and meets June, a disullusioned young dancer. He has a big wad of money on him, for- which he cannot account. June, struck by his honest simplicity, gets him to tell her all he can remember of the preceding few hours. He remembers having been fleeced in a crooked card game at a cafe, and having escorted tlje owner’s sister, Edna, to her apartment, where he had some drinks. From that stage mystery follows mystery until a thrilling climax is reached. EMPIRE. . Patrons of the Empire are afforded plenty of thrills and excitement in the new bill, ‘ 0.5.5.,’ which commences a season to-morrow. As mysterious as the title itself, the plot is intriguing, and will hold the audience in suspense until the final scenes. The story, which is one of the most powerful to come from the pens of Hollywood writers, combines just the right ingredients pf action, romance, and adventure. The popular star, Alan Ladd, provides plenty of action, and Geraldine Fitzgerald is cast with him to present the romantic side of the plot. Their performances are outstanding, for the film suits their particular brand of acting. An interesting supporting programme, which will include one of the amusing “Speaking of Animals ” films, entitled ‘ln the Wilds,’ will also be shown. ‘Testing the Experts,’ a Grantland Rice sportlight, completes the entertainment. < OCTAGON. ‘ Anna and the King of Siam,’ which will commence a second week’s screening at the Octagon to-morrow, represents an outstanding triumph of motion picture entertainment. With Irene Dunne, Rex Harrison, and Linda Darnell in the starring roles, drama and romantic excitement are supplied in full measure. The picture unfolds the adventures of an English woman who was called by the fabulous King Mongkut to strange and exotic Siam in the 1860’s to serve as a teacher to his hundreds of harem wives and their children. The shocking, almost medieval barbarism that ran parallel to the ageold culture and beauty of the land had a profound impact on the frail and sensitive Anna. How, with the wonder of her Western beauty and the flame of her courage, she braved this strange w;orld makes for an unforgettable picture. ST. JAMES. The spectacular pursuit of a group of hunted people by a Nazi ski patrol over the snow-covered and precipitous Alps is brought to a thrilling climax in ‘ The Last Chance,’ which will commence a second week’s screening to-morrow at the St. James. The action centres on Sergeant Braddock, U.S.A. (Ray Reagan), and Lieutenant Halliday (John Hoy), of the British Army, two of the men who escape from a train. They are aided in their escape when a sympathetic Italian hides them in a loft, and subsequently ‘persuades a friend to transport them by cart to a lake town on the border. Here they find refuge with a priest who is harbouring another escaped Allied prisoner, Major Telford (E. G. Morrison). When retreating Germans attack the village, the priest is arrested, and the trio make a dash for the Swiss border in company with a group of civilians. Then begins a grim march across the Alps, a flight punctuated by acts of heroism, courage, and suspense. STRAND. Jack London’s big thriller of the sea, ‘ The Sea Wolf,’ with Edward G. Robinson, Ida Lupino, and John Garfield in the starring roles, will be shown at the Strand to-morrow. The story begins, and ends, aboard the mystery ship, ' The Ghost,’ and tells of the captain, Wolf Larsen, played by Edward G. Robinson. Larsen is a man in whose heart there is neither softness nor mercy. His hand is against etery

man and he expects every man’s to be against him. Once aboard his ship there is no escape. The associate picture is ' Janie,’ a Warner Bros.’ comedy, with Joyce Reynolds (Janie). Robert Hutton, and Edward Arnold starred.