COMING ATTRACTIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25302, 12 August 1943, Page 6

COMING ATTRACTIONS

OCTAGON THEATRE Lamar Trotti likes being known as Hollywood’s most prolific producer-writer, but he appreciates even more approval of the quality of his pictures. Trotti’s latest big success was in 20th CenturyFox’s film version of John Brophy’s “ Immortal Sergeant,” which will be shown at the Octagon Theatre to-morrow. The film by no means deals exclusively with the battle front. In every story of a soldier there must be some indication of what he’s thinking about—in " Immortal Sergeant” Fonda’s thoughts quite naturally turn to home and his sweetheart, Maureen O’Hara. By an ingenious use of the " flash-back" device, the film gives a definiteness and a body to those thoughts —and shows conclusively why this fighter for freedom can never give up the battle. There are many outstanding performances in “Immortal Sergeant,” topped by the stars, Henry Fonda and Maureen O'Hara. Thomas Mitchell, in the title role, shows characteristic deftness, while Allyn Joslyn and Reginald Gardiner head the featured cast. Also included are Melville Cooper, Bromwell Fletcher, and Morton Lowry.

REGENT THEATRE

Judy Garland and clever players of todav carry audiences back to the glories of the vaudeville of yesterday in a vivid romance with the varieties as a glitterine background, in " For Me and My Gal,’ which will be shown at ,the Regent. Theatre to-morrow. The picture serves to introduce to the screen Gene Kelly. New York stage sensation in “Pal Joey,” as her latest partner. Miss Garland plays her first adult role, and, apart from intriguing song and dance appearances has poignant dramatic episodes which she handles compellingly. The' story opens in sm&U-time vaudeville in 1915, with Miss Garland as a young singer. Kelly as a clown juggler. They fall in love, and vow to marry when they achieve that ambftion of all vaudevillians, and play the Palace Theatre in New York. Then the World War starts, and Kelly Is called up. He tries to delay the call by injuring his hand, but is renounced by Miss Garland. He finally redeems himself overseas, where she has gone as an entertainer, by an act of supreme heroism.

STATE THEATRE

For some time now the popular screen star, Barbara Stanwyck, has been appearing in. dramatic roles. In which her arresting beauty has been subordinated to character portrayal, but In “Always Good-bye," which will be shown at the State Theatre to-morrow, and in which she is starred with Herbert Marshall, she reverts to her earlier role when she flashed across the film horizon as one of the loveliest of the screen glamour queens. She is back in dazzling surroundings and she gives a one-woman style show such as the films have not known for many months. For her special benefit, 24 separate costumes were created by Royer, 20th Century-Fox’s renowned style expert. lan Hunter heads a strong supporting cast, which ' includes Cesar Romero, Lynn Barri, Binnie Barnes, and John Russell.

EMPIRE THEATRE

James Cagney and Bette Davis are the exciting star combination heading the cast of " The Bride Came C.0.D.,” the film which will make its debut at the Empire Theatre to-morrow. This picture is hailed as the best of the year’s light comedy entertainment. Stuart Erwin, Eugene Pallette, Jack Carson, George Tobias, and Harry Davenport, head the supporting cast of able comedy players who help Cagney and Miss Davis to make “ The Bride Came C.0.D.” race along merrily without a let-up in the hilarity from start to finish. William Keighley, the director, has guided with a light but firm touch the script by those masters, Julius J. and Philip G. Epstein, from a story by Kenneth Earl and M. M. Musselman.

STRAND THEATRE

Three silent era film stars have important roles in Universal’s' “ Sin Town,” an oil town drama starring Constance Bennett, Brod Crawford, Patric Knowles, Anne Gwynne, Leo Carrillo, and Andy Devine. The three are Hobart Bosworth, Bryant Washburn, and Jack Mulhall, all of whom portray civic leaders in the boom town. “ Sin Town,” which will be shown at the Strand Theatre to-morrow, is an exciting melodrama of an oil-boom community, In which a vicious fistic fight between two heavy-weights is a feature. The supporting film, “ Federal Bullets,” tells the story of a wealthy woman famed for philanthropy who really “ bosses ” the city’s underworld. When a mysterious murder is committed the Federal Bureau of Investigation steps in, and Tommy Thompson, posing as a crook, is detailed to secure evidence that will sheet the crime home. Leading roles are played bv Terry Walker, Milburn Stone, and Zeffie Tilbury.

ST. JAMES THEATRE

A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer comedy mystery film, "Grand Central Murder,” will provide the chief attraction in to-mor-row’s change of programme at the St. James Theatre. A stage beauty, Patricia Dane, was found murdered, and among the suspects it was found that there were at least 10 people who would have been glad to have her removed. One of them, Van Heflin, a private detective, has the casg assigned to him. Heflin is outstanding in his role, and introduces much subtle humour. Miss Dane gives a capable performance, and other important roles are filled by Virginia Grey, Cecilia Parker, Samuel Hinds, and Tom Conway. The supporting picture, " Contraband," is a comedy feature in which Valerie Hobson and Conrad Veidt fill the principal roles.