AMUSEMENTS

Camp News, Volume 1, Issue 31, 12 July 1940, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS

STATE THEATRE. Strong novelty “who-done-it” football murder mystery built 7 round in-terest-compelling Arsenal football favourites is now screening at the State Theatre. Vivid, candid, behind-the-scenes sequences of First Division team, and vigorous shots of match play reveal popular idols and managerial notabilities in piquiant new light as ideal screen actors involved in mystery of player’s death on the field. Leslie Banks scores in forceful comedy , bid as light-hearted sleuth. Following the collapse on the field and subsequent death of an opposing star (Anthony Bushell), Scotland Yard, in the person of Inspector Slade (Leslie Banks) is called in to ' unravel the mystery. Slade is a lighthearted sleuth, who has a hat suitable for every situation in which a detective can possibly find himself. Airily he gives up directing a police concert to discover the dead man was poisoned by means of a ring. Red herrings are 1 plentiful across the trail, and Slade has to follow many clues before he hits .on a revenge motive which inspired the crime and actually reveals the culprit, by means of a powder which changes colour on his palm during the game.

We’ve been through a lot of hilarious predicaments with the Jones Family, but when they all get that young feeling and decide to take over Broadway in “Young as , you Feel,” the latest of the 20th Century-Fox comedies screening at the State Theatre, they hit a new laugh high. For Dad turns playboy, mother goes gla-

mour girl and all the Joneses step out in style.

Dad Jones decides to give up his drug store at the persuasion of his famous family, and they all go to New York to give the hot spots a whirl. The whole family, with the exception of Dad, who has to pay the bills, is taken in by some phony friends of Jack, the oldest son. Posing as bluebloods and members of the nobility, they are out to take the Joneses for all they can, and how nearly they succeed must be seen to be appreciated.

Jack lands in jail for staging an ostrich ride up the Gay White Way a publicity stunt for his new “crush” a showgirl played by Helen Ericson. Romantic sister Lucy is completely taken in by one Boris Mousilivitch, a phony . Russian opera star (riotously played by the v inimitable George Givot), and is surer than ever that her dreams of a great career are coming true at last. Even Pa turns, jitterbug in this merry story. TUDOR THEATRE One of the best loved of all story classics, Johann David Wyss’ “Swiss Family Robinson,” now showing at the Tudor Theatre. The screen version is infinitely more vivid and realistic and exciting than any possible arrangement of words on paper could be. And its producers, the noted screenwriting team of Gene Towne and Graham Baker, are entitled to plenty of plaudits for their skilful cinematic rendition of Wyss’ immortal. book. A splendid cast with, Thomas Mit-

chell and Edna Best as the parents and Freddie Bartholomew, Terry Kilburn, Tim Bolt and Baby Bobby Quillan as the four youngsters, do grand work throughout. The clever direction of Edward Ludwig, the remarkable marine and island location and the fidelity of the film to the original, all rate hearty praise. By all means put “Swiss Family Robinson” on your list of pictures that must be seen. Also on the bill “Vigil in the Night,” R.K.O. Radio’s screen version of the sensational novel by Dr. A. J. Cronin, of “The Citadel” fame.

KING’S THEATRE.

Highly emotional drama and hon-est-to-goodness thrills are in store for filmgoers when they witness Walter Wanger’s new film production, “The House Across the Bay.” George Raft and Joan Bennett head an imposing cast of Hollywood topnotchers. This new picture not only introduces a new romantic team . composed of Raft and Miss Bennett, but it brings the beautiful Miss Bennett forward in one of her most varied and exciting roles to date.

Miss Bennett, in . a word, looking more ravishing than ever, plays a straight dramatic role —and she does it stirringly and brilliantly. In addition, the star with the brunette tresses does her first dancing on the screen—a new type of rhumba which required tireless practice and intricate studio -rehearsals. Miss Bennett’s dancing equals her acting, . which is another way of saying that the glamorous star has added another laurel to an otherwise long list.

As for George Raft, his impersonation of Steve Larwitt, a latter-day gentleman of means and ambitions, is as deft as it is clever. Raft knows how to fill his screen characterisations with life-like qualities, with punch and drama, with humour and imagination.

Others who contribute stirring and unforgettable portrayals in “The House Across the Bay” are Gladys George, Walter Pidgeon, June Knight and Lloyd Nolan. Gladys George, as a worldly-wise wife whose husband is serving a prison sentence, does an impressive piece of down-to-earth acting, while Walter Pidgeon as the second male lead is a romantic hero who hasn’t been typed at the studios.] - ’ - ' ''' . ‘ ? •- '• ••- ■ s ' -' • ' v </ ’.' . - PLAZA THEATRE. Up came Michael Redgrave’s hand. Smack it went across Margaret Lockwood’s cheek! “Jolly good!”, said Carol Reed, who directed “The Stars Look Down” (G.8.D.) at the Plaza Theatre. “Now we can do it again.” “Eh! What is this?” asked Margaret Lockwood, holding her face. “He hit me an awful slosh. Nearly knocked my head off.” “I’m afraid it was not convincing enough,” said Reed, shaking his head. “Let’s take it again.” This is the first time Margaret Lockwood has been slapped in her screen career, and now she is hoping that it is her last. Nancy Price, who plays the mother of Michael Redgrave and the wife of Edward Rigby in the Fenwick family in “The Stars Look Down,” did not use any make-up or special hair-dress-ing for her part. She felt that if make-up were add-

«l to her face al , > be lost. ' 0 Would you, €verv / 1 allow a person. to J S of a watering, get annoyed about it > probably reply th at ./'* tirely upon the ci rcu ‘ "*l Michael Redgrave kind of thing or ? »i cently at the ** mg the taking o f a e film version of a. P?" Stars Look Down” Y • dressed, and did not wj * Before every take ki,* the property wtlfl 4 upon a ladder, and al2 empty the contents o f ? his head. . ' , The day before Scenes c shot of Redgrave in tfcJ downpour .was made J rain machines, so - when J tered the house he still faJ through. ’ The house seed shot until the following fr* actor had to get wet all However, there was little tl him catching cold, for ant who plays his screen moth picture, makes him peel th front of the camera, which i the scene. . ?