Cinema News

Grey River Argus, 11 February 1941, Page 10

Cinema News

PICTURES. PLAYS & PLAYERS

“THE HOUSE OF SEVEN GABLES” Starring George Sanders and Margaret Lindsay A curse that persisted through the ages and a love that could not be defeated by misfortune and disaster are the outstanding dramatic features of Universal’s ‘‘The House of the Seven Gables.” The picture is a screen dramatization of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s famous novel of the same name, one of the great classics of American literature. In the featured roles are Margaret Lindsay as Hepzibah Pyncheon; Vincent Price as Clifford Pyncheon, her distant cousin; George Sanders as his brother, cruel and grasping Jaffrey' Pyncheon; Nan Grey as Phoebe Pyncheon, and Dick Foran as Matthew Maule. Theatregoers will find few changes hr the screen version of the unforgettable tale of Salem, Mass., and these only for the sake of greater dramatic interest and screen storytelling. The producers have faithfully' duplicated the historic House

of the Seven Gables, still standing on Turner Street, in Salem, where it has been since 1668. At the present time it is serving as a museum in which many relics of the Hawthorne family are displayed. Hundreds of authentic pieces of early' American and Colonial furniture, kitchen and tableware were obtained to dress the settings of the interior of the famous House of the Seven Gables, locale of most of the action. Old plans and drawings and recent photographs of the house were studied in order that

details of the structure could be authentically reproduced.

“MAN ABOUT TOWN”

America’s No. 1 comedian, the man who has evoked more laughter on radio, stage and screen than any other performer, comes to the screen again in the new Paramount comedy with music, “Man About Town.” It’s Jack Benny, of course, and co-starred with him in the picture are Dorothy Lamour and Edward Arnold. Morrie Ryskind, author of the screenplay,

has provided an hilarious story, telling how Jack tries to win Dorothy Lamour by directing his attentions to a lovely lady of the Engi.sh nobility. There’s a big supporting cast including Binnie Barne, Pin! Harris, Betty Grable, “Rochester,” E. E. Clive and Matty Malneck and his Orchestra. There are three hit tunes —in fact the picture has everything a moviegoer could want, including twenty gorgeous Petty Girls, selected by artist George Petty to appear in the picture. THE THIRD KIPPS Michael Redgrave, starring in the title role of “Kipps,” now half-way through production at Shepherd’s Bush Studios, (is following tn the part created on the screen in 1921 by George K. Arthur, who played in the Stroll version of the H. G. Wells classic. Redgrave is the third star to portray the lovable character of Kipps, the country shop assistant. O. B. Clarence played the original role at the Vaudeville Theatre, London, in 1912.

“THE RETURN OF DR. X” Picturegoers will doubtless recall the thrills of a picture released several years ago called “Dr. X.” It dealt with the infamous exploits of Dr. Maurice Xavier, who eventually] got his deserts in the electric chair. Now Warner Bros, writers have brought Doctor Xavier back to life—if you can call it living when a person, brought back from the grave, goes around ghoulishly' murdering people and draining their bodies 'of blood in order to maintain the spark of existence in his own being. After that little outline of the theme which motivates “The Return of Doctor X,” it will doubtless sound paradoxical to assert that this is not a “horror” picture—according to the Hollywood formula. Nevertheless, it is not. Whilst we are aware of what the reincarnated Xavier is up to, it is the efforts of a young and impetuous newspaper reporter, assisted by an equally young but not so impetuous student-doctor, to run Xavier to earth that produces thrilling

screen entertainment par excellence. Warner Bros, made “Tne Return of Doctor X” after listening t 0 clamourings for a successor to the original for years. The story, however, is completely original,, cast in the same mould as the earlier “Doctor X” without being in the nature of a sequel to it. Wayne Morris is the reporter who starts out to conduct a harmless and not particularly' interesting interview with Angela Merrova (Ly a Lys), a Continental stage star who is finding success in New York. But he runs into a first class news sensation when he arrives at the actress’ apartment to find her lying on the floor with a stab wound in her chest. A good citizen, but still a better newspaperman, he ’phones his paper and merely leaves it to the police to read about the crime. They do. The minions of the law arrive at the flat to be confronted with Wayne, who tells them that he will be only too pleased to show them the body. To his dismay, the corpse has vanished, and as it’s pretty difficult to presume murder

without a body, the police conclude that it’s just another newspaperhoax. So does' Wayne’s editor —especially when a living and animated Angela (Merrova up at the newspaper ollice the next day threatening a libel action. Wayne gets lirecL He institutes an investigation of his own, assisted by a young doctor friend, played by Dennis Morgan. “WHERE’S THAT FIRE ?” Will Hay is one of Britain’s most popular comedians with a vast tollowing of film, radio and variety fans. “Where’s That Fire” is said to be his greatest comedy, with a laugh in every foot of film. Once again he i;s riotously supported by ’ his “stooges,” Graham Moffatt and Moore Marriott. NEWS FROM THE STUDIOS On January 2, Bette Davis married Arthur Farnsworth at the home of friends in Aiizona. Farnsworth, who is 34, knew Bette, who is 32, when she was a child in Lowell, Massachusetts. He also knew her first

husband, Harmon Nelson, who divorced Bette in December, 1939. This news is a great surprise to Hollywood, which thought that Bette would marry publicity man Bob Taplinger or George Brent.

Edward G. Robinson’s next film will be a comedy about a film actor who has played gangster roles for so long that he has a mental lapse and really thinks he is a killer. '

At the preview of her picture, “Comrade X,” Hedy Lamarr wore black velvet hostess slacks, a highnecked black blouse, and a long redfox fur coat. Janet Gaynor and her husband, Adrian, accompanied her.

Madeleine Carroll is making personal appearances all over the country' to raise money' for British relief.

Joan Biondell has started a little sideline for herself. She is sponsoring a line of cosmetics.

Demure Olivia de Havilland can give such a good imitation of a barking dog that bystanders are frightened.

Deanna Durbin has the strongest supporting cast to date for her new picture, “Nice Girl.” Franchot Tone and Robert Stack will be her leading men. This is Bob’s first appearance with Deanna since they played together in “First Love.”

Paulette Goddard presented director Anatole Litvak with a beautiful gold mesh cigarette case. In spite of the fact that these two have been seeing a great deal of each other* Anatole has declared his intention of going to England to make his home there. This is surprising to everyone, particularly since he is highlj' respected in the profession as a director.

Jane Withers has had her first unchaperoned date. The hero of the momentous occasion was George Marshall, junr.

In her next picture, “Mr and Mrs Smith,” Carole Lombard will have 21 changes of costume. Her lavish wardrobe will make up for the drab costumes she has been wearing in her recent pictures. The most heavenly creation of them all, a black taffeta with white stripes, has been copied four times. This is because the dress is damaged on fourdifferent occasions, and each time Carol gets a brand new replica.

Tony. Martin’s engagement in a Cincinatti night-club did not serve to separate him from his heartthrob of the moment, Lana Turner. Lana went right along with him to Cincinatti, and returned with jhim after his engagement.

Jean Arthur keeps her weight down by fencing.