CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24895, 7 June 1946, Page 4

CITY THEATRES

’ « AVON “BECAUSE OF HIM” Deanna Durbin appears in a gay comedy role again in her new Universal picture, “Because of Him,” which continues its season at the Avon Theatre. In the story Deanna portrays a waitress who aspires to become a stage actress. She sings three numbers which may well prove to be among the most popular she has done. They are “Lover,” Tosti’s “Good-bye,” and “Danny Boy.” Starring with her are two of her former leading men, Charles Laughton and Franchot Tone; and the supporting cast includes Stanley Ridges, Donald Meek, and Helen Broderick. As part of Deanna Durbin’s plan to continue varying her characterisations, her wardrobe, hairdo. and make-up are similar in style to those she used before her venture into melodrama. STATE “THE SPANISH MAIN” Adventure and romance among the freebooters of the seventeenth century form the dual theme of “The Spanish Main," R.K.O. Radio Technicolour film which is still the popular attraction at the State Theatre. Paul Henreid, Maureen O’Hara, and Walter Slezak have the starring roles. Henreid is cast as a Dutch navigator who turns pirate to avenge himself on the Spaniards for having enslaved his crew, and Miss O’Hara portrays a proud Spanish lady who is the intended bride of Slezak, the brutal governor of Spain’s dominions. The buccaneer interferes with this plan by capturing the vessel and marrying the girl to spite the Governor. But he fails to take into account the treachery of his comrades, and the fact that he finds himself falling in love with his bride. The outcome makes an intriguing story. MAJESTIC “THE VALLEY OF DECISION” Based on the novel by Marcia Davenport, M.G.M.’s .-“The Valley of Decision,” which is playing now at the Majestic Theatre, is a dramatic film get in the Pittsburgh of the 1870’s. Greer Garson plays the part of Mary Rafferty, who becomes a servant in the family of William Scott (Donald Crisp), a steel manufacturer, and by so doing enrages her father, who is crippled and embittered as a result of an accident in the Scott steel mill. Mary falls in love with Paul Scott (Gregory Peck), but does not think that a servant is a fit wife for him. The subsequent story of their lives makes a poigpant and dramatic film. The strong supporting cast includes Lionel Barrymore, Preston Foster, Marsha Hunt, and Gladys Cooper. PLAZA “TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT” A roaring adventure story of two independent souls in Vichy-controlled Martinique, Warner Bros.’ Sim, “To Have and Have Not,” continues its season at the Plaza Theatre to-day. With a cast headed by Humphrey Bogart, the film also features Lauren Bacall. Walter Brennan. Hoagy Carmichael, Dan Seymour, Dolores Moran, and Sheldon Leonard. The film is an exciting tale of love between a blonde and a hard-hearted sea captain; and of the web of politics] intrigue that is woven about them by the hands of Vichy’s gestapo. Adapted from a novel by Ernest Hemlngwav. “To Have and Have Not” was directed by Howard Hawks. Introduced in the film is a “blues”’ number by Carmichael and Johnny Mercer, which is sung by Lauren Baeall in one of the smoky eafe scenes. CRYSTAL PALACE “PLL BE YOUR SWEETHEART” Dedicated to the great melody writers of yesterday, the Gainsborough film “I’ll Be Your Sweetheart,” which starts its second week at the Crystal Palace to-day. is set in the London of the early twentieth century. It presents old-time favourites which have become so well loved by the Bribsh people—“l’ll Be Your Sweetheart.” f ‘Oh. Mr Porter,” “The Honeysuckle and the Bee,” “I Wouldn’t Leave My Little Wooden Hut for You.” and “Liza Johnson,” as well as several modern numbers. The stars are Margaret Lockwood. Vic Oliver. Reter Graves, and Michael Rennie. The supporting programme includes “New Zealand Was There,” a special feature of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

MAYFAIR “BLITHE SPIRIT” Noel Coward’s outstanding play,. “Blithe Spirit,” has been brought to the screen in Technicolour by Two Cities, and many. English critics are of the opinion that the clever photography and story treatment make the film version even more brilliant than the stage success. “Blithe Spirt,’’ which stars Rex Harrison Constance Cummings, Kay Hammond and Margaret Rutherford, opens its season in Christchurch at the Mayfair Theatre Rex Harrison plays the part of a celebrated novelist who wants to write a book about spiritualism, and when he invites a well-known medium to dinner, the fun gets under way. The shade of his first wife appears, but only the astonished novelist is able to see or hear her, and his behaviour leads his present wife to believe that there is “something strange in the air.” Many hilarious sequences follow. ST. JAMES’ “DEAD MAN’S EYES” Suspense is the keynote of “Dead Man’s Eyes,” the Universal ■ mystery film which will open its season to-day at the St. James Theatre. The picture, which stars Lon Chaney, reveals the medical miracle of transplanting the cornea from a dead man’s eyes to the eyes of a blind man, thereby restoring his sight. Supporting Chaney in this highly exciting film are Jean Parker, Paul Kelly, and Acnuanetta. The latter. is seen as the jealous model of artist Chaney, who, in an effort to break up his romance with Jean Parker, causes him to become blind. There is plenty of intrigue in the story which follows.

The supporting feature, “Girl on the Spot,” is a crime story with some unusual angles. The plot concerns the fortunes of a light opera company and details • their transition from singing waiters to operetta performers. Lois Collier and Jess Barker are the stars.

LIBERTY ”SEVEN DAYS ASHORE” Telling a story of a sailor who faces the wrath of three girls when they discover he has made identical pledges of undying love to each, R.K.O. Radio’s “Seven Days Ashore,” which is the main feature at the Liberty Theatre this week, is a bright and romantic musical comedy, Marcy McGuire Gordon Oliver, Elaine Shepard and Virginia Mayo play featured roles. Highlights of the film are the music of Freddie Slack and his orchestra, and that of the popular Freddie Fisher (Colonel Corn) and his band. They play several new tunes. The murder of a child’s nurse aboard a train forms the basis of the mysterythriller “The Falcon in San Francisco,” the supporting film. Tom Conway is seen in his usual role of detective. THE EMPIRE “YANKEE DOODLE DANDY” The life of America’s greatest showman, George M. Cohan, is depicted in “Yankee Doodle Dandy," which is the current attraction at the Empire Theatre. James Cagney plays Cohan, a role that brought him the Academy Award for the best actor of the year This colourful-fllm is actually a cavalcade of the American theatre. The supporting film, “Sergeant Mike,” is a touching story of the heroic exploits of war dogs. CENTURY “WESTERN APPROACHES” The perils facing merchant ships during their hazardous crossings of the North Atlantic in the days when the U-boat menace was most intense are portrayed vividly in the British film “Western Approaches,” which is the current attraction at the Century Theatre. The story is based on the torpedoing of a ship, and the adventures of those survivors who managed to escape in an open lifeboat. Action! and excitement are the keynotes of] this powerful film. •