PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 23700, 7 October 1940, Page 2

PICTURE THEATRES

ST. JAMES

Against a spectacular background of oil well fires, a tensely dramatic theme, Edward G. Robinson plays one of the greatest roles of his career in ‘ Blackmail,’ at the St. James. It is a vital, different, sympathetic role, one that, when coupled with Robinson’s portrayals of racketeering gang leaders and ruthless gunmen, finds him emerging one of the most versatile actors on the screen to-day. Although he is once more on the wrong side of prison bars, he is there for a crime he did not commit. ‘ Blockheads ’ stars Laurel and Hardy.

OCTAGON

Story value and acting performances arc counted on in ‘ Everything Happens at Night ’ more than in any of Sonja Honie’s previous five productions. It is a completely different type of story for the famous skating star and queen of the ice. It is a timely tale of modern intrigue, with the added attraction of Sonja’s artistry on silver blades and slippery skis. Ray Milland and Robert Cummings are featured as Sonja’s leading men in the attraction, which is at the Octagon. The cast includes Maurice Moscovitch, Leonid Kinskey, Alan Dinehart and Fritz Feld.

STRAND

Wayne Morris, Margaret Lindsay, and William Gargan share stellar honours in Universal’s ‘ Double Alibi,’ a new kind of mystery picture, 'which is at the Strand. Morris plays an unusual triple role as a murder suspect, a detective, and a newspaper reporter, while Miss Lindsay likewise is a reporter and Gargan her lovelorn editor. “ Hopalong ” Cassidy’s quick-trigger thinking clears an innocent man of guilt in a highway robbery plot in ‘ Hidden Gold,’ the supporting feature.

REGENT

The drama of the medical profession is brought to the - screen in ‘ The Secret of Dr Kildare,’ which is at the Regent. Lew Ayres and Lionel Barrymore are the featured players. Against the background of science’s struggle for mankind there is a tense mystery and a groat romance, all woven into a glorious piece of entertainment. Helen Gilbert is seen as the heiress in the thrall of a strange mental malady that Ayres', as Dr Jimmy Kildare, employs detective work to cure. Lionel Barrymore has one of the greatest roles of his triumphant career. The romantic factor is the story of a young doctor and a faithful nurse.

EMPIRE

The problem of heredity versus environment is effectively treated in Republic’s ‘ Wagons Westward,’ which is at the Empire. David Cook and his twin brother, Tom, are raised in different environments after the death _of their father, who is killed in an Indian fight. David, brought up by his mother, becomes an honourable and upright law-enforcement officer. Tom, who journeyed to New Mexico with his uncle, becomes a tough-going scoundrel, as evil and lawless as his brother is good. Complications arise when David Cook receives orders from his superiors commanding him to capture his outlaw brother, Tom, dead or alive. Chester Morris is starred. '

GRAND

Drama and action are convincingly blended in the two films at the Grand and together they offer sound _ entertainment which should have a wide appeal. The main feature is a tense drama, with a murder trial as the background, ‘ A Woman _is the Judge.’ ‘ Outlaws of the Prairie ’ stars Charles Starrett.

STATE

Each of Dr Cronin’s sensational novels has had a motive; almost all attacked, openly and convincingly, some grave public injustice which resulted in exploitation and misery for thousands of the world’s ordinary people* In ‘ The Stars Look Down,’ at the State, the dangers faced by the British coal miners are graphically depicted, but the drab and heart-breaking existence is all the more realistic as the film, like the novel, shows how, but for the avarice and callousness of the mine owners, the plight of the miners could be greatly alleviated. Michael Redgrave and Margaret Lockwood are the

stars. MAYFAIR

Clare Boothe’s magnificent satire' on women, entitled ‘ The Women.’ is at the Mayfair with an imposing list of » stars —Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Rosalind Russell, Mary Boland, Paulette Goddard, Joan Fontaine, and Virginia Weidler. ‘ Mystery of ’ the White Room,’ released by Universal, is a “Crime Club” thriller, starring Bruce Cabot, Helen Mack, Constance Wortn,aud Joan Woodbury. ,