CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24901, 14 June 1946, Page 5

CITY THEATRES

AVON “FOR YOU ALONE” , You Alone,” which comseason to-day at the Avon hv n7,te>- ls a J? other successful attempt ?utcher Empire Films to bring to the screen some of the better things m the world of music. This delightful success t “Til Walk Beside You” chretea Ce tel“ e , Lorlfion Symphony Orpnestra, the famous tenor, Heddle Sandle?°? r H n ?.’- He!e P Hil1 ' and Alb ° rt handler and his orchestra. In the starH?nte^° les j re L esle y Brook, Jimmy Hanley, and Dinah Sheridan. The a t< i??vJi ela « s tde love Effair between ter 1 and a Parson’s daughter who feels herself bound to another man who has always loved her. and tbG obstacles are clearflim • 211 patb to happiness. The him is photographed amid the beauty of rural Britain. Many interludes of nomely humour are provided. STATE "IT’S A PLEASURE” Sonja Henie, whose position as No. 1 skating star has remained unchallenged for 10 years, makes her Technicolour debut in “It’s a Pleasure,” w blGh I s the current feature attraction at the State Theatre. This offering by International Pictures brings Sonja into her own as an actress in a warm, human role, designed to prove her versatility. Besides skating spectacularly , she has gay comedy scenes, scenes of powerful drama, and for the first ume on the screen, dances, without benefit of skates, in a routine ranging from waltz, adagio, beguine, to fast tap tempo. The story of the film revolves round a stormy romance between a determined little exhibition skater and a big-league ice hockey Th® stron g cast includes Michael OShea. Marie McDonald, and Bill Johnson. 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 set 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 poignant and dramatic film. Irie strong supporting cast includes Lionel Barrymore. Preston Foster. Marsha Hunt, and Gladys Cooper. CRYSTAL PALACE “THE FIFTH CHAIR” A roster of stars which reads like the “Who’s Who” of screen and radio was assembled to surround Fred Allen in his new comedy, “The Fifth Chair,” which is the current attraction at the Crystal Palace. This all-star array includes Don Ameche, Binnie Barnes, Robert Benchley, William Bendix, Jack Benny, John Carradine, Jerry Colonna, Victor Moore, William Terry, Sidney Toler, and Rudy Vallee. Most of the story centres on Allen and Benchley, who portray respectively the impresario of a flea circus and a professional insect exterminator. Benchley’s son, enacted by Terry, and Allen’s daughter, played by Gloria Pope, provide the romantic interest, further complicating the rivalry between the fathers. This United Artists release was directed by Richard Wallace.

MAYFAIR “BLITHE SPIRIT” Noel Coward’s outstanding play. “Blithe Spirit,” has been brought to the screen in' Technicoiour 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 Spirit,” which stars Rex Harrison Constance Cummings, Kay Hammond and Margaret Rutherford, continues 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 sha(Je 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.

PLAZA “JANIE” One of Warner Bros.’ latest efforts m the field of sparkling comedy is their film “Janie,” which opens its season to-day at the Plaza Theatre. On the surface. “Janie” is a bubbling story about a group of bright youngsters, their well-meaning but bewildered parents, and the effect upon them and the community of the sud» den influx of Army personnel into their midst. A remarkable array of talent has been assembled in the making. pf the film. The cast, besides Joyce Reynolds and Robert Hutton, includes Edward Arnold- and Ann Harding as Janie’s father and mother; Robert Benchley as a bachelor friend of the family; Alan Hale as an elusive priorities chief;. Hattie McDaniel as a faithful family retainer; and an up-and-coming group of youngsters. Michael Curtiz was . the director.

LIBERTY “ADAM HAD FOUR SONS” The laughter and tears of a changing world have been dramatically captured in Columbia’s “Adam Had Four Sons,” which opens to-day at the Liberty Theatre. It is the stirring story of a family, its loves and feuds, its heartbreaks and happiness. This compelling film stars Ingrid Bergman and Warner Baxter, with a splendid cast of supporting players headed by Susan Hayward. Fay Wray, Helen Westley, Richard Denning, Johnny Downs, and Robert Shaw. The story has for its major theme the struggle between two women for the lives and happiness of five men—four sons and their father. The gripping story of- a boy and his aog is told in “The Adventures of Rusty,” the second feature. Ted Donaldson, Margaret Lindsay, Conrad, and Ace, the wonder dog, are cast in the featured roles.

ST. JAMES. “SEE MY LAWYER” Olsen and Johnson provide plenty of fun in “See My Lawyer,” the Universal musical comedy which is the principal attraction this week at the St. James’ Theatre. As owners of a night club they have all the leeway in the world to put on the kind of show that only they’can. In support of the two comedians are Alan Curtis, Grace McDonald, Noah Beery, jun., Franklin Pangborn, and Edward Brophy. Then there are speciality acts by Yvette. Carmen Amaya and her company of gypsy dancers, the King Cole Trio, the Hudson Wonders (acrobatic dancers), the Rogers Adagio Trio, and other -well-known vaudeville and circus teams. The second feature is a thrilling Western story. “The Singing Sheriff.” starring Bob Crosby, Fay MacKenzie. Edward Norris, Fuzzy Knight, and Spade Cooley and his orchestra.

CENTURY “JANE EYRE” Marking their first screen appearance together, Orson Welles and the Academy Award winner Joan Fontaine are starred in 20th Century-Fox’s magnificent filming of Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre,” which is now showing at the Century Theatre. Welles plays the part of the moody and mysterious Edward Rochester, and Joan Fontaine plays the title role. Other featured players include Margaret O’Brien, Peggy Ann Garner, and John Sutton. EMPIRE “THE HARD WAY” In “The Hard Way,” which opens to-day at the Empire Theatre, Ida LuEino plays the part of a woman who ves in a grim, sordid town, disgusted and embittered with her lot, and determined that her lovely young sister (Joan Leslie) will fare better. The story depicts a clash of wills, played out against a background of the stageworld. “Take It or Leave It,” the added feature, is the screen adaptation of the radio laugh-and-quiz show, starring -Phil Baker. Edward Ryan, and Marjorie Massow.