ENTERTAINMENTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 59, 10 March 1944, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE Featured as a sparkling tuneful romance peppered with hilarity, Booth Tarkington’s -popular novel, “Presenting Lily Mars,” comes to the Majestic Theatre to-day, with Judy Garland, Van Heflin and Fay Bainter in the stellar roles. It is an appealing story of the stage, in which Judy Garland, as a stage-struck girl, has many setbacks before she wins success. As Lily Mars she sings and dances delightfully as is altogether the likeable girl the author pictured. Among the songs Judy will oe heard in are " When I Look at You,” “Tom, Tom, the Piper’s Son,” “Every Little Moment,” “Is It Really Love,” “Broadway Rhythm,” and “Think of Me.” Van Heflin and Fay Bainter give delightful performances, and Maria Eggerth sings brilliantly. There is also an attractive and interesting programme of featurettes. OPERA HOUSE. Hailed as one of the -best films of the year, 2th. Century-Fox's version of Nevii Shute’s great novel, “The Pied Piper,” is to commence screening at the Opera House to-day. Monty Woolley, Roddy McDowell and Anne Baxter are featured in the enthralling story of the Englishman who led a band of helpless children across embattled France to England and safety. The film tells in graphic detail the difficulties encountered in their perilous journey. Starting in the South of France as the gigantic German attack was launched in the tragic month of June, 1940, the Englishman manages to make his halting way home, shepherding his straggling group of youngsters right under the very nose of the dreaded Gestapo. Monty Woolley, who scored so heavily in "The Man Who Came to Dinner,” essays a new dramatic role in “The Pied Piper.” Cast as the crotchety Englishman, the bewiskered former Yale drama professor is at his best as he outwits the Gestapo, while the children often outwit him! Roddy McDowall, the memorable Huw of “How Green Was My Valley,” and lovely Anne Baxter also received praise for grand performances from preview critics. The supporting honours are carried off by Otto Preminger and J. Carrol Naish. Combining the breath-taking pathos, the rch humour and the warm romance of the book, “The Pied Piper” looms as one of the outstanding pictures of the year.