AT THE PICTURES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 15 August 1944, Page 4

AT THE PICTURES

State: To-night, “Les Miserables," Victor Hugo’s classic of romance and intrigue. starring Charles Laughton, Frederic March and Sir Cedric Hardwicke. with Rochelle Hudson. Francis Drake and John Beal. The producers have spared no expense in screening this great story and a memorable presentation is the result. The standing of the stars gives some idea of the importance attached to this fine production. Commencing Friday, “Bombardier." America’s famous secret weapon, the Norden bomb sight, has reached the screen in "Bombardier," which tells the stirring story behind the sight. Pat O'Brien and Randolph Scott are co-starred as rival filers, with the former as the courageous advocate of the Norden instrument and Scott as a reckless proponent of divebombing tactics.

Majestic: To-night, the famous British picture, “Nine Men," thrilling tribute to the British Army in action. The military effort of each part of the United Kingdom is symbolised in Michael Balcon's "Nine Men." Opening scenes, which deal swiftly with an assault course in battle school, provided an opportunity for members of the London Irish Rifles to show their mettle. The South Wales Borderers are seen in the desert battle episode ending the story, which is chiefly in the Libyan campaign. They are the relieving force who come to the rescue when the group of soldiers of the film's title are about to be overwhelmed. Various members of both the South Wales Borderers and the London Irish Rifles, all of whom appear by permission of the War Office, have minor speaking parts in the picture. The nine men who carry the weisnt of the story include Jack Lambert, Gordon Jackson. Freddy Piper, Bill Blewett, Grant Sutherland. Eric Micklewood, John Varley. Richard Wilkinson and Jack Horsman. Only half of them are professional actors, for the whole cast were chosen riot as star names but for their qualifications to represent British soldiers in action. ____________ YOUTHS FINED FOR CONVERTING CARS Auckland, August 14. A scries of charges of unlawfully converting motor-cars to their own use was brought against three 18-year-olcl youths in the Police Court to-day. Keith I William Barker and Douglas John Stephens were jointly charged with seven ! offences and Barker alone with two | further charges, while two charges were j brought against Frederick Glover. All three pleaded guilty. It was stated that | on one occasion two of the youths took a car after attending a church service. Dr. Alexander Hodge of the Baptist Tabernacle, said he was prepared to take an interest in all three youths if they were given a chance. Barker was ! lined £25, Stephens £2O. and Glover j £5, all three being admitted to probation for three years.—P.A. CAR AND BODY RECOVERED FROM RIVER Wanganui. Aug. 14. With the assistance of a diver from New Plymouth, the motor car which plunged into the Wanganui River on Saturday afternoon about six miles from the city was recovered late this afternoon by a police party working aboard the paddle steamer Waimarie. With much difficulty the car was towed across the river deep under the water and eventually hauled ashore on a slop- ! ing sandy bank. The body of the driver. Robert William Orton, aged 59, a well-known Wanganui farmer, was found in the back seat. The car apparently had plunged from the road along which it was being driven by Mr Orton on Saturday afternoon, and dropped nearly 50 feet. It was eventually found in 30 feet of water lodged between two papa ledges. All the windows were broken and Mr Orton had been drowned.—P.A.