AMUSEMENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22819, 14 December 1948, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS

Regent.—“ The Paradine Case/* now showing at the Regent, is an excellent drama and Alfred Hitchcock has gathered a cast of outstanding players—Gregory Peck, Ann Todd, Charles Laughton, Charles Coburn, Ethel Barrymore, Valli and Louis Jourdan—who give almost flawless performances. Robert Hitchens’ story tells of the trial of Mrs. Paradine (Valli), charged with the poisoning of her blind husband. She' ia defended by brilliant counsel Tony Keane (Gregory Peck), who falls under the spell of her great beauty. Majestic.—Commencing at 7.30, two big Technicolour productions comprise the current programme. The fine singing and music, the brilliantly-coloured settings, the gorgeous costumes, glamorous romantic exchanges make “The Song of Scheherazade,” an enjoyable film. The associate feature in colour, “Sudan,” stars Jon Hall and laria Montez and is packed with action, romance and adventure.

King’s.—“ The Miracle of the Bells,” now showing, features Fred Mac Murray, Valli and Frank Sinatra. The plot turns on the surprising developments that follow a cynical movie press agent’s efforts to carry out the dying wish of the girl he loved. The steps by which he takes her body back to be buried in her home town, his efforts to win her the recognition she deserves, and the ensuing “miracle” in the little coal-mining community church, are familiar to readers of Russel Janiiey’s novel. The screen version treats the various phases with freshness and vigor.