AT THE PICTURES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 19 October 1942, Page 4

AT THE PICTURES

State, -screening to-night: “Joan of Pans.” starring Michele Morgan. Paul Henreid. Thomas Mitchell, Laird Creager and May Robson. This packs a double interest; first, because of its timeliness; j second, because of its deeply moving, dramatic story. The fascinated spectator watches the grim procession under the dragnet of the German secret police. It is in such a setting that a tender romance develops between Paul, the Free French leader of an R.A.F. squadron shot down over the occupied territory, and Joan, simple and lovely poor French girl seiving as a bar-maid in a Paris resort frequented by Nazi police and soldiers. The boy is desperately striving to reach the Paris head of the secret British Intelligence, in order to get aid for himself and his companions, who hope to escape and rejoin their commands. The girl throws herself wholeheartedly into the cause 01 the man whom she has quickly learned to love—and the Gestapo trail them both. There is tremendous suspense. Regent, to-night 7.45: Barbara Stanwyck and John Boles in Goldwyn’s achievement “Stella Dallas.'* with excellent supports. “Stelia Dallas" carries a great appeal to the emotions in its powerful story. It depicts the life of a beautiful and pleasure-starved mill girl, who after a brief romance marries Stephen Dallas, outside her social sphere. They soon discover they are mismated. Their baby is born, and Stella's only redeeming quality seems to be her love for her daughter Laurel. Her coarse manner oT living and her flirtation with Ed Munn, race track tout, and his companions further alienate her husband. A conversation which Stella overhears brings realisation that she is standing in the way of her daughter's happiness. She decides to permit Stephen to divorce her providing he marries Mrs Morrison, an old sweetheart, so that Laurel can live with them. The loyalty ot Laurel to her mother and her refusal to go with her father and Mrs Morrison are poignant sequences. But the mother is determined to sacrifice herself. How she finally turns her child from her makes a deeply moving situation. Majestic, finally to-night: Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland in merry musical comedy, “Babes on Broadway.” Commencing Tuesday: Laraine Day and Barry Nelson in “Yank on the Burma Road.” Actually the Burma Road element only provides the background for an action romance story. It serves an admirable purpose, however, giving excellent atmosphere which is sharply realised in the picture. The performances are all good, particularly that of the leading man, a newcomer named Barry Nelson. Playing opposite Laraine Day in the role of a New York cab driver, Nelson gives a vigorous performance. Miss Day does her usual excellent job in the role of a renegade flyer's wife who talks her way into a ride on Nelson’s caravan in order to join her husband in Chungking. The thrills of their rip come thick and fast.