STAGE FRIGHT
*ing: Jane Vyman, Marlene Dietrich, Michael Wilding, Rechard Todd
Dir: Alfred Hitchcock
Genre: Thriller
Ultra-Warner, Rs. 285
A classic from the master director of suspense thrillers Alfred Hitchcock, this story, based on a novel by Selwyn Jepson, is set against the backdrop of theatre. The setting is just right for a gripping drama - a theatre where danger stalks the wings, characters are not what they seem, and the final scene can take place any moment. Here Jane Wyman plays Eve Gill, a drama student, who takes on the role of a lifetime to help a freind, played by Richard Todd. Todd is being framed for murder by a hoity-toity stage-star Charlotte Inwood (Marlene Dietrich). Wyman takes on the role of Dietrich’s maid, so that she can get to the truth. In the process, she stumbles upon quite a few things which leave her dumbfounded.

Hitchcock skillfully weaves some humour in the otherwise grim thriller, and leaves you marvelling at his skill in keeping you on tenterhooks. Dietrich as the stage-star makes for a compelling presence.

MAVERICK
*ing: Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, James Garner
Dir: Richard Donner
Genre: Comedy
Ultra-Warner, Rs. 285
This hilarious film boasts of some great actors and great performances. Mel Gibson plays a gambler with a sleight of hand, Jodie Foster is a scam artist and James Garner is an easy-going lawman. The threesome come across a river-boat poker tournament, wherein the winner gets $500,000. Bret is sure he’ll win the prize money, but he has to overcome major hurdles, which make for some rip-roaring comic situations. And with Gibson and Foster offering Garner their solutions, there’s bound to be confusion which has you engrossed. Director Richard Donner handles subject deftly.

YOGI THE EASTER BEAR
Animated Cartoon
Ultra-Warner, Rs. 225
The animated film traces the adventures of Yogi, the bear. The annual Easter Jamboree is being held at Jellystone Park, and this year’s promises to be a big one. Yogi bear is all geared up to savour up the scrumptuous Easter sweets, when Ranger Smith threatens to ship him off to a Siberian circus. Yogi decides to save himself by approaching Easter Bunny for help, but discovers that Bunny has been kidnapped by villains Pauly and Ernest. The two bad men want to create an all-plastic world, beginning with Easter eggs, thus runining Easter. It’s up to Yogi to rescue Bunny and learn the secrets of the magical Easter chicken, Mildred, and save the Jamboree. Kids will like this.

Salma Khatib