PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 24332, 22 October 1942, Page 8

PICTURE THEATRES

MAYFAIR A dramatic love story is told in * They Dare Not Love,’ the chief attraction on the new programme which was presented at the Mayfair yesterday. Two well-known actors, George "Brent and Martha Scott, head the excellent cast, and they are supported by Paul Lukas and Kay Linakcr. The supporting feature is another of (he popular Leon .Errol comedies. Cecil Cunningham and Mildred Coles support Errol in ‘ Hurry, Charlie, Hurry,’ and add much to the comedy of the film. TO-MORROWS PROGRAMMES EMPIRE A spectacular film, ‘'Eagle Squadron/ which will be screened at the Empire tomorrow, should provide patrons with an overflowing measure of thrills. ‘ Eagle Squadron ’ -is one of the most ambitious, informative, and thrilling war pictures .yet produced. It succeeds because of its cheerful detail, in letting one know the sort of job that is being done by (he U.A.F., in impressing one with the remarkable displays of British and American courage, and with the nation’s all-out effort and its unshakeable will to victory. The atmosphere of reality is strengthened by the introductory foreword by Quentin Reynolds, as he opens the picture with these words: “This is the story of some of our countrymen who did not wait to be stabbed in the back. They quit their college classrooms . . . their jobs . . . went to England . . . saw ghastly death come from the skies. They asked no favours . < . became respected in the R.A.F. as one of the finest of fighter squadrons. I knew these boys ... 1 saw them .fight, I saw them die . . . these boys who did not wait . . . these few to whom so many of us owe so much.” REGENT A new rjelmcsi in setting is given to old melodies in the latest version of ‘ Smilin’ Through,’ which will be presented at the Regent to-morrow. This picture strikes a. 'strong note of appeal. The songs come as a most acceptable tonic, ‘ Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes,’ ‘ Just a Little Love, a Little Kiss,’ ‘The Kerry Dance,’ ‘ It’s a Long, Long Trail,’ to mention a few of the principal numbers, apart from the title piece, which gives the line on the story, ring cncliantingly. It could hardly be otherwise, for tlie responsibility is with Jeanette MacDßnald, and her handling of it goes far in making for the success of a capitallyproduced story in which music abounds. She is splendidly supported by Brian Alierne, Gene Raymond, and others. STATE With Jascha. Heifetz, the renowned violinist, in a leading role, Samuel Ooldwyu’s new production, ‘ They Shall Have Music,’ which will be shown at the State to-mov-row, unfolds a gripping story of human interest. The principal romantic roles are played by Andrea Leeds and Joel McCrea. Briefly, the story revolves around Professor Lawson, portrayed by Walter Brennan, . and bis music school settlement, composed of ragged youngsters who are musical prodigies. Into this school conics Frankie, who inherited a talent for the violin from his dead father and has run away from home to escape Die hate of his stepfather. The boy is taken in tow by Die professor, and blossoms into a fine musician. How. lie tries to repay his debt and how lie lures the great Heifetz to Die aid of Die financially bankrupt school provides , tile climax to the story. The supporting picture is a comedy-romance, ‘ Nothing .Sacred,’ starring . Carole Lombard and Fredric March. ST. JAMES Love’s young dream comes in for hilarious complications in ‘ This Time for. Keeps,’ a gay picture of newly-weds and their woes, which will be shown at the St. James tomorrow. The story opens with Ann Rutherford and Robert Sterling, as newly-weds, returning from their honeymoon, settling down in a new home. The first rift comes when the husband fails to notice the bride’s new hat. There are further complications when father-in-law decides to take the bridegroom into ilia real estate firm. The bride’s kid sister adds complications when she imagines she’s in love with another sister’s boy friend. Ann Rutherford, playing a young matron, handies her role with a deft flair for comedy. Sterling, too, is excellent in Die comedy sequences. Virginia Weidler, as the irrepressible younger sister, provides abundant comedy, and Guy Kibbee and Irene Rich play the doting father and mother-in-law. The associate feature, ‘ Go West,’ is another outstanding comedy, featuring the Marx Brothers OCTAGON ‘ How Green Was My Valley,’ adapted from Richard Llewellyn’s famous novel, is the big attraction on the new bill to be screened at Die Octagon to-morrow. The keynote of the production is the fidelity of its portrayal to the novel of Die same name. Filmed against the background of a Welsh mining village, ‘ How Green Was My Valley ’ brings to life the dynamic character who has captivated the millions of people who have read this enchanting book. The story traces the threads of life, of the Morgan family over a period of years, revealing their trials and loves and their joys and sorrows. It is Dio story of a family which has never been conquered by armed men, or by hunger or hate: nor yet by the turbulent years that stoic the greenness from their valley. The featured cSst is said to take able command of the opportunity to knit together a story (hat demands highly-specialised dramatic ability. Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O’Hara, Anna Lee, Donald Crisp, and Roddy AlcDowaM, Die 12-year-old English actor, whose rise to fame in motion pictures has been spectacular, fill the principal roles. STRAND A fast-moving western film, ‘ Red River Valley,’ heads the new bill io be released at tile Strand to-morrow. The title roles are filled by Die cow,boy star, Roy Rogers, and Gale Storm. Rogers’s first start in life was as a truck driver for a sand and gravel company, and Ids career on Die stage commenced when ho secured a job with an amateur show as a guitar player and singing cowboy. He then rose steadily to Die top of the ladder, and after Ids appearance in his initial picture, ‘ Under ♦Western’Stars,’ Ids success was assured. George Gabby Hayes plays ids customary comedy role with Roy in ‘ Red River Valley,’ and Sally Payne contributes spritely comedy. Ollier players include Bob Homans. Trevor Burdette, Hal Taliaferro and Die Sons of the Pioneers. A gay comedy, ‘ Father Steps Out,’ starring Frank Albertson, is the associate feature.