P
CINEMA WORLD
ORCHID IN THE
DAISY CHAIN
Almost any actress can appear fairly good when the vehicle in which she is appearing is a solid, gripping story. It takes a very good actress to appear good in some vapid chronicle, and an
even
botter ono to make that same vapid chronicle worth paying money to see as a film. Yet that is what Joan Crawford does to "Daisy Kenyon," Twentieth Century Fox's contribution to this week's programme at the King's. Thot the novel of the same "the other womon". name, by Elizabeth Janeway,teur-stained parting. could ever have been a best- seller, as is claimed, leads one to suppose that there is still an inordinate number of servant- girl
world,
Comes the
Scarcely have the sabe died down when the careery one is
hurtling down the aisle with the third alde of the triangle Mr. Fonda) who is an ex-Gi anxious to prose on with a new life and wife, designing fishing craft the while.
He,
mild too, h cross to bear In the shape of mamory of previous spouse who died tragically. There follows, In the true style of the paper-backed passionette, of the the active unwillingness
believe that first gentleman to Daisy could possibly prefer the second gentleman in spite of the marriage, the divorce scene
Daisy is cited which
A VERY PRETTY PICKLE
About the only people who will not enjoy "Out Of The Blue," Eagic-Lion's Hollywood- offering at the Lee this week, are the pillars of temperance secieties and those whose eye- brows lift in time, with the elbows of others.
THE CHINA MAIL, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1949. ***
Virginia Mayo
This is caused by the film's complete preoccupation with the activities of, and on behalf of, a sprightly wench who flies through the story with one wing low, us- ing the level of brandy in a bottle Ann an artificial horison, Dvorak in the tasty tippler and have good taste in selecting undoubtedly she takes the honours in the laugh department.
For once, this is ■ comedy with no pretensions. No effort has been made to tell a sonalblo story and every effort has been made to keep the action swift, simple and completely crazy. The result is an unqualified
success.
in the English-speaking
Basically it is the agewarn tple of that wellknown human adven- ture into geometry, the triangle. Miss Crawford is, of course, the apex -if that is the right expres-
The nonsense starts with hen- alon. It would be much more
peckert hustand George Brent satisfactory to refer to her as the
spearhead spouse Carole hypotenuse.
and Then one could say
Landis quarrelling over a dog that her square is equal to the
belonging to neighbour Turhan sum
of the squares on the other
Bey, an artist. The dog's hit-and- two sides. In terms of entertain-
mun tactles on a zinnin bed bring ment value and ability (In this
about a
demand from wifey that nim, at least) that is accurate.respundent, and the subsequent Brent gets Bey removed from his
That is not to say that thair setting down of the whole bub-
Wifey then holidays is any great fault in the par- bling broth In
highly satis-appartment. #
oT for the week-end. formances of Dana Andrews Enctory and moral fashion.
Brent gets himself picked up Indeed, and Henry Fonda., Both are
the more the story is
and followed home by God's gift competent actors, and, what's contemplated the more one ad-
It more, have proved it. But not mires Miss Crawford. Similarly, istillers, Ann Dvorak. in "Dalay Kenyon." The script inuch credit must be given to Oturns out she has a weak heart, This is demonstrated when she has them under its thumb. Preminger, who directed, and topops off in a faint on Brent's
the various technicians who terrace. smoothed what must have been a lumpy path for the whole cast.
The Daisy Kenyon of the plece is a career woman, a magazine illustrator, Inevitably in this kind of story she is Introduced to the customers while in the throes of A soul-battering affaire with
handsome. masterful character
who has (strictly according to the rules) wealth, a wife and two children. It is Mr. Andrews who bears these assorted crosses.
It la ng obvious to the patrons. in the stalls as it to those in the dress circle that this cannot go on. Sure enough, the career girl (not wishing to confuse the customers) realises that she can- not handle the additional role of
STAR
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17 Hankow Road, Kowloon
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TODAY ONLY —
2.30, 5,10, 7:20 & 9.30 PM.
ONE BREATH OF SUSPICION BECOMES A WHIRLWIND OF MYSTERY
WARNER BROS.
Patt
UNSUSPECTED
MICHAEL CURTIZ
CAULFIELD RAINS TOTTER BENNETT HATFIELD
------TOMORROW-------
Deanna Durbin Donald O'Connor
in
"SOMETHING IN THE
WIND"
MAJESTIC
SHOWING TODAY
AT 2.30, 8.20, 7:20 a ́v.ku. p.m.
she
5
Co-
10
makes very sultable fiancee for Turhan Bay In "Out Of The Blue", He player' un artist and is therefore required to
• girlfriend
Sa
NO TALK
TO SPOIL THE VIEW
Primarily, a film is something to be seen, a point which is forgotten as often by the spec- tator as by the producer! Honce it is occasionally both in-. teresting and instructive to al- tend ja film which can be ap- |preciated by the eyes alone.
Such is "Spring Light," a Peak Film Industries Corporation (Shanghai) production coming to the Lee
this week. As there will be no English titles and not on English translation of the story in the programme the non-Chinese viewer will be on his own from the start.
oven
The
atory
J
Cupid Has Four Legs
Hollywood.
The ́ ́comedianna' Mario Witson and her husband, Allan Nibon, are back to gether again because their pet Yorkshire torrlar, named Hobbs, got lonesome.
Maa Wilson cancelled divorce plans after her actor husband slipped Into hor apartment and left the torrfor with noto attached to his collar reading: "Dear Mo- ther, my father can't keep ma in the manner to which I'm accustomed. I have not eaten or
drunk all day.. don't even enjoy passing lamp post. I'm very long- some,
guess I'm yours."-United. Press.
a change.
appears to about a girl who, white flea plete attention to the peting for Ing. from her wartorn village] is picked up by a smooth and somewhat shady character. Though pleasant and attractive at Bret, thie gentleman, after he has married the girl, turga -Qut
to „baj something less than Prince Charming.
A true-blue boyfriend of the girl's, left behind when she took to the refugee traff, and later when presumed dead, turns up to give sot [In, the film a happy ending of sorts.
It is refreshing to be able to watch the Images on the screen without the all too frequent in- Rietion of a lot of dialogue to
"Spring Light". has some very fine photography and ex- cellent direction which make It worthwhile. for anybody.
The first and Igst scenes (both fairly long) could take their place with pride alongside the best that hai bean produced Elsewhere. It is significan:] that In neither of these spatch used to any extent. Subtle use of the camera and lighting and consitive make it unnecessarys
acting
humpe her over onto. Bey's tor- race. Bay is not particularly amused, evan police complications However, things are smoothed out in that direction and Boy opens the way for one of the funniest concs in the flim by
It is only fair to mention that dressing up a fomize dummy
nonsensical the standard of photography and to represent Miss Dvorak and
the direction mentioned above calling in Brent to weslat in visual Impressions with
True, it is not seem to have been maintain- burial service.
not always possible to know ex-ed throughout, and that some of Virginia Mayo projects here arl-netly what is happening in the the shofa (presumably from mirable physique into the melt- story. But one can
always use stock) are downright poor. How- ing pot an Bey's fiancee. It is to her credit that she contributes has any after a lifetime of look-seeing films but is suffering from a little imagination (If one atillever, for someone who enjoys to the humour of the piece as ing at Hollywood) and one can a slight surfeit of tediously slick well as to its generally attractive derive a great deal of enjoyment super-productions, this is the an appearance.
from the devotion of one's com-swer.
The nonsense carries on with sustained tempo till the ultimato sorting out is achieved and every- body is allowed to show clearly before the curtain falls that they are going to live happily ever
Thinking she is dead, Brent after. For those with an over-
serious tum of mind this is all going to be a little trying if they let themselves get roped in to see it, but for those with a fow hearty guffaws looking for an outlet it is just what the doc- tor grdered.
Take Your Pick
Hollywood.
A play boy who has dated nearly every glamour girl in town has stuck his hand- some neck. out. Robert Stack offers a list of the seven best dates.
Number one on Stack's list, as on meny a man's, is Lana Turner. Evelyn_Keyes, now married to director John Huston, is the girl Stack picks for a rainy night in front of a fire.
Jane Pawell is the girl to take roller-skating when you can't afford anything else.
Betty Grable, now Mrs. Harry James, is, believe K or not, a good date when you want to play golf. Deanna Durbin was Stack's iden of a perfect date for a premiere, When he felt like taking down the top of his convertible, Stack dated Yvonne de Carlo.. which
Wanda Hendrix is the right date for an evening at the Holly- wood Bowl.
Joan Crawford in one of the many tenee - moments
makes tha most of in "Daley Kenyon". Miss. Craw ford plays the part of a magzina Illustrator with one too
meny man in her life.
OPENING
TODAY
COLOR BY
TECHNICOLOR
LIBERTY
Jordan Road,
Kowloon.
SHOWING TODAY
at 2.30, 5.15,
does
7.20 & 9.20 p.m.
Tel: 50333
2 minutes from the Vehicular Ferry
The Most Up-To-Date Theatre On The Mainland
THE MOST LAVISH MUSICAL. ROMANCE OF ALL TIME!
+ It's Mchificent!!8.
W
DENNIS
MORGAN
MY WILD IRISHR
WARNER BROS. Jubiice of Joy!
16 SONGS dold Colo
TECH
BY
ÁRENIE GAHL - ANDREA KING + ALAN HALE · GEORGE TOBIAS - GEORGE OBIBER • DEN BLUE · SARA ALLGOOD
Saturday Morning Show at 12.00 Noon CARTOON PROGRAM in TECHNICOLOR 20th Century-Fox Picture
exi
SHOWING
TODAY
KINGS
Paro
AT 2.30, 5.15 ----- - 7.20-AND 0.30 PM.
EXTRA PERFORMANCE ON SUNDAY
AT 11.30 A.M.
YOU! HOO!
WHAT ARE YOU DOING OVER THERE?
THE GANG'S ALL HERE!
Ge gloriove gay with sweat
1
ALICE
FAYE
...In A Song-Up
Whang-Deadle Of A. Gai Lough.and Seng Shows.
The
Gang's All Here
in TECHNICOLOR!:
THE GIRLS HE
Shake your
verandah with
CARMEN
MIRANDA
"Ul you have a
pel, trán ker terer, at
PHIL
BAKER
Have a live Ring with THE KING OF SWING BENNY
LEFT BEHIND GOODMAN
Directed by BUSBY BERKELEY
Produced by WILLIAM Le BARON
AND HIS ORCHESTRA
LEE THEATRE
ADVANCE BOOKING OFFICE CHINA TRAVEL SERVICE +. QUIEN'S 15. G. BOOKING HOURS. 1100 m. 1 5.30 pm y
4.Shows Today At 2.30, 5.15, 7.15 & 9.20 P.M.
EAGLE-LION HOLLYWOOD PRODUCTION
"Follow"
me
for
the
Best
TURBAN
GEORGE
VIRGINIA
BRENT MAYO
AHN
CARDLE
BEY DVORAK · LANDIS
Time of
in VIRA CASPARY'S
Out OF
The Blue
Your
Life:
QUEEN'S & ALHAMBRA
Beauty
and
At 2.30,
5.15, 7.15
G 9.15 p.m.
savagery...
Splendar and shame...
Love and hate...
A Story of
Violence!
Desperate dagger fight;"
In the, umugglers" onvo
MAUREEN O'HARA JOHN PAYNE..
on
Miracle me
34th Streel
OPENS SUNDAY.
| DOROTHY' McGUIRE
GREGORY PECK
·JOIN GARFIELD
"GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT"
Best Picture of the Year!
COLUMBIA PICTURALS-presentä
Rita HAYWORTH Glenn FORD
..
The loves of Carmen
NOT THE OPERA
With ROH RANDELL VICTOR JOBY LUTHER ADLER
Deckworth Corporation Production
· Deschid and Produced in CHARLES VIDOR
5 SHOWS ON SUNDAY-
QUEEN'S Extra Perfor
CARMEN OF 11.30 A.M.
CENTRAL
'270, QUEEN'S ÉD. CENTRAL PHONE, 25720
TODAY AT 7.15 & 9.15 P.M.
DEVIL FOLLIES I
PRESENTS
BROADWAY VANITIES
A SUPER: REVUE.
WITH
SYLVIA
HELEM, IRENE, GINNY,
THERESE, JOYCE & LILY WITH 20 BEAUTIFUL MODELS MUSIC BY PETE O'NEIL & HIS ORCHESTRA
SPECIAL ADDED
F.A. CUP 4th ROUND DERBY V. ARSENAL ALSO: THIS MODERN AGE
"THE HUNTER”
PEAK FILM PRESENTS "SPRING LIGHT" DIALOGUE IN MANDARIN
ORIENTAL
AIR CUINERIENETI
Take Any Kusters Trans Car of Happy Valley Hu Showing Today: 2.30, 5.15, 7.20 & 9.20 p.m.
M-G-M" MUSICAL TREASURE IN TECHNICOLORI
JUDY
GARLAND
NEW
COLE PORTER
COLOR ST
·GINE
KELLY
WALTER SLEZAK
COOPER: OFFEN.
SPECIAL MORNING SHOW TOMORROW at 1230 DINTMENT TO TOKYO Warner Bros. Film