AMUSEMENTS At the Opera House

Grey River Argus, 28 October 1948, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS At the Opera House

Finally to-night: “Seven Keys to Baldpate,'' and “Code, of the West.” Commencing to-morrow: “No Leave, No Love,” starring Van Johnston and Pat Kirkwood. “NO LEAVE, NO LOVE”

Teaming favourite leading man, Van Johnson, with Keenan Wynn and Britain’s most popular screen heroine, Pat Kirkwood, M.G.M.’s new musical romance, “No Leave, No Love,” commences at the Opera House to-morrow, with a galaxy of stars, songs and laughs. Additional explosive ingredients include not one but two famous dance bands—Guy Lombardo’s and Xavier Cugat’s. Johnson, in the role of a young Marine hero is willing to trade in a. decoration for the love of his childhood sweetheart, but when he swaps his medal and loses his sweetheart his troubles begin. The musical introduces the vivacious British singing star, Pat Kirkwood, who kept London laughing during the Nazi blitz. In America for the first time, Miss Kirkwood not only has a chance to show her ability as a singer with a number of hit tunes especially written for her, but wins the screen’s favourite star for her colleague. Music lovers have a double treat in store with both Lombardo and Cugat, masters of danceable music, featured. They introduce “Love on a Greyhound Bus," “All the Time,” “Isn’t It Wonderful,” “When It’s Love” and a special arrangement of “Humoresque” by Lombardo.

Regent Shows Finally to-day: “The Stranger,” with Loretta Young, Orson Welles, Edward G. Robinson. Commencingg to-morrow: “The Taxes of Harrow,” starring Rex Harrison, Maureen O’Hara, Richard Haydn, Victor McLaglen. In “The Taxes of Harrow,” we have a story set in the atmosphere of gay New Orleans of the early 1800’s. It is into this fabulous world that there comes Stephen Fox; he of the angellook and cunning hand. Ostensibly a gambler, he is dashing, daring and reckless. The screenplay unfolds the surging drama of his climb to power and his ruthless battle to win and build “Harrow,” the greatest manor house and plantation in Louisiana. It also tells the story of the three women who love him —the proud and beautiful Odalie, who is repulsed by his savagery, and yet is drawn to him and to a bitter destiny; gentle Aurore, Odalie’s sister who hopefully longs for Stephen’s affections; and voluptuous Desiree who is forced to remain, in the background of his life, suffering heartbreak and social ostracism to be near him. Director John M. otahl and Producer William A. Bacher have drawn from it —and enhanced— every last ounce of excitement, and have charged it with the blood and fire oi high adventure and mighty emotional impact.