CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24913, 28 June 1946, Page 5

CITY THEATRES

AVON “FOR YOU ALONE” “For You Alone,” which continues its season at the Avon Theatre, is another successful attempt by Butcher Empire Films to bring to the screen spme of the better things in the world of music. This delightful successor to “I’ll Walk Beside You” introduces the London Symphony Orchestra, the famous tenor. Heddle Nash, soprano, Helen Hill, and Albert -Sandler and his orchestra. In the starring roles are Lesley Brook, Jimmy Hanley, and Dinah Sheridan. The story relates the love affair between a naval officer and a parson’s daughter who feels herself bound to another man who has always loved her. and how eventually the obstacles are cleared from their nath to happiness. The film is photographed amid the beauty of rural Britain. Many interludes of homely humour are provided. STATE “LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN” Psychological problems are apparently gaining popularity as subjects for film treatment. Within recent months Christchurch audiences have seen several films dealing with amnesia, split personality, and other forms of neurosis. A more unusual problem forms the basis of “Leave Her to Heaven,” the current attraction at the State Theatre. The film deals with the effect on her family and on her own character of a woman’s over-devotion to her father; a devotion which, even after her father’s death, causes her to choose a husband because of his resemblance to her father. This devotion, transferred in part to her husband, takes the form of a love so possessive that it seeks to destroy every person in whom her husband shows any interest. No solution to the problem presented by such an attitude of mind is suggested by the film, but the conclusion is logical and satisfying. Apart from its psychological significance, this film is good entertainment. The technicolour photography is well handled, and able performances are given by the leading players. Heading the cast is Gene Tierney, and she is ably supported by Cornel Wilde and Jeanne Crain. MAJESTIC “THRILL OF A ROMANCE” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer has Van Johnson and Esther Williams in the tuneful Technicolour treat, “Thrill of a Romance,” which had a popular opening at the Majestic Theatre yesterday. It is the enchanting story of a oeautiful swimming instructor who is rushed off her feet by a successful businessman (Carleton Young). Their honeymoon at a holiday resort is interrupted by his being called away to Washington. Then the lonely bride meets van Johnson, an Air Corps major on leave from the South Pacific area. Almost before they realist it, they find themselves in love, but Esther sends Van away. Before he leaves, the two get lost in the woods, and complications develop fast and amazingly. In the supporting cast is Lauritz Melchior, the Metropolitan Opera tenor, who plays Cupid to the stars. MAYFAIR “BLITHE SPIRIT” Noek Coward’i 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 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 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. PLAZA “UNCERTAIN GLORY” Against a background of France in : defeat and humiliation under Nazi oc- ; cupation, “Uncertain Glory,” which opens its season at the Plaza Theatre ; to-day, pursues in detail five days in the lives of a French criminal and the

police inspector who has hounded him for 15 years and finally captured him. Errol Flynn plays the criminal who, against his will, becomes one of the heroes of his country, about which he has never thought twice. Paul Lukas, as the inspector, finally captures his elusive quarry, only to' taste an empty victory. Both together, in any other circumstances an impossible combination, find, as Frenchmen united against their common enemy, a way to release 100 innocent hostages held by the Nazis for an unsolved act of sabotage. Also in the film are Jean Sullivan, in her first film role. Lucille Watson, Faye Emerson, and Douglas Dumbrille.

CRYSTAL PALACE “JOHNNY ANGEL” Mutiny and murder on the high seas ’ give action to i RKO Radio’s gripping drama, g “Johnny Angel,” starring George Raft. Claire Trevor and Signe Hasso. The film starts its season at the Crystal Palace to-day. Raft has the role of Captain Johnny Angel, who comes upon his father’s ship abandoned in mid-Caribbean, and tows it into New Orleans. From a young French stowaway (Signe Hasso) he learns that his father's ship was carrying 5,000,000 dollars belonging to the Free French, that the crew was murdered. and that the gold was taken off on to a power-boat belonging to a night-club owner. Claire Trevor's role is that of an unscrupulous wife of a shipowner, who was once a friend of Johnny, and who is now using her wiles on the night-club owner. When she tries to win back Johnny, he is .able to solve the whole case and win the murder of his father. He also wins Paulette. CENTURY “LAURA”, “Laura,” which stands as one of the freshest, most unusual, and exciting films of the year, is the current attraction at the Century Theatre. In “Laura.” the director has deserted the beaten, conventional path in his approach to a gripping story of a perilous experiment in love, and murder. The technique employed is as different «ad beguiling. M the psychological

drama itself, resulting in terrific suspense from start to finish. Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, and Clifton Webb play the leading roles. ST. JAMES’ “A SCREAM IN THE DARK” Republic’s new mystery drama, “A Scream in the Dark,” which opens its season at the St. James’ Theatre today, is a film designed to keep audiences guessing from start to finish. Starring Robert Lowery and Marie McDonald, thte story is about a young newspaper -reporter who determines to change his field, sb opens an office as a private detective. He is seeking business in—of all places—the morgue, and while there hits upon clues which lead him into all kinds of complications and intrigues, which, in turn, lead to the uncovering of two or three murders. A happy combination of story, music, and beautiful ice rink sequence provides plenty of entertainment in “Lake Placid Serenade,” the supporting feature. It stars Vera Ralston, an Olympic figure skater, who shows in this film that she is also a romantic actress of considerable ability. LIBERTY “MADONNA OF THE SEVEN MOONS” “Madonna of the Sevjen - Moons,” Gainsborough’s film version of Margery Lawrence’s novel, is the main feature for the week at the Liberty Theatre. In a strong cast, the leading roles are taken by Phyllis Calvert as Maddalena. wife of an Italian wine merchant, and Stewart Granger as Nino, Maddalena’s lover. The story deals with the difficulties experienced by Maddalena (a case of split personality). in trying to lead two unrelated lives. The part of her daughter, who becomes deeply involved in her mother’s problems, is played by Patricia Roc. The story is excellently told and beautifully acted. On the same programme is “The Falcon Out West,” one of the most baffling mystery stories in the popular “Falcon”’series. Tom Conway is again featured as the Falcon, who brings to justice an ingenious killer. EMPIRE “THE MERRY MONAHANS” “The Merry Monahans.” one of Universal’s most entertaining musicals, which is the main feature at the Empire Theatre, projects the considerable talents of Donald O’Connor, Peggy Ryan, Jack Oakie, and Ann Bly th against a background of vaudeville in its bright days. It tells the story of the Monahans, a family of troupers struggling to “big time” in spite of many ups and downs. Many favourite songs are featured.

“Western Approaches.” the supporting film, is a stirring British picture of drama on the high seas during the war.