Each year the most "fantabulous" and most spectacular motion picture ever filmed is released. 1960 is no exception. America has given rave reviews to the M.G.M. predicted all-time top grosser,

"Ben Hur." A little surprising perhaps, after the harsh treatment that recent Biblical spectacles have received from reviewers and critics. Not even Cecil B. DeMille's "Ten Commandments" escaped unscathed.

But the fact remains that no-one has had an over-critical thing to say about this latest multimillion-dollar effort. In fact, the "New York Times" was sufficiently moved to say, "A Blockbuster! This mammoth colour movie is by far the most stirring and respectable of the Bible-fiction pictures ever made."

"Ben Hur"

"Ben Hur," probably to be seen in Wellington (his year, gives the audience four hours of wide-screen viewing. It further demonstrates how easy it is to spend 15 million dollars—over one million dollars alone going on the famous chariot race scene.

Not nearly as expensive to make, but equally guaranteed to hold your attention, is the shocker "Anatomy of a Murder." Filmed a short time ago in a small town U.S.A. courtroom, "Anatomy" stars James Stewart and newcomer Ben Gazzara. Incidentally, it's probable that parts of this film will be cut before it reaches Wellington.

The floors of the courtroom where "Anatomy" was filmed had to be reinforced before 28 tons of camera and electrical equipment were wheeled in to film the tense and absorbing interior scenes. There is some remarkable photography and novel effects thanks to Director Otto Preminger.

Every issue "Salient" is going to give you the latest film news from here and overseas, plus reviews of current films showing in the city. And you won't have read any of the material before, because we're getting our information direct from New Zealand and overl seas sources. Let's hope full-time students who live in the local theatres find this page invaluable.

"Beloved Infidel"

Of course 1960 has its share of humorous entertainment. One of the best will be "Beloved Infidel," starring Gregory Peck and Deborah Kerr. But don't expect straight humour, it's really a very moving story. "Beloved Infidel" is a love story—about the tangled lives of Hollywood columnist Sheilah Grahame and novelist F. Scott-Fitzgerald. It's interesting to see that Director Henry King has avoided long, "sloppy" love scenes that he believes make audiences fidget.

Students, grandmothers and children will all thoroughly enjoy an evening at "Five Pennies," Already showing in Wellington, and starring Danny Kaye, it's another life story—the story of entertainer Rod Nicholls. Louis Armstrong gives Danny a hand with a classic rendering of "The Saints."

Talking about jazz reminds me that a jazz score provides a very effective background to "Anatomy of a Murder." The score was completely written by Duke Ellington and played by his orchestra.

Another big hit in Wellington this year is sure to be the adaptation of Hammond Innes's novel "The Wreck of the Mary Deare." It promises to equal his other best - seller - cum - film, "White South," for excitement. "The Wreck of the Mary Deare" should be in the capital within the next two months.

"Can Can"

For those who enjoy a musical, and who doesn't, what better than Cole Porter's "Can Can"? A very capable cast includes Shirley MaeLaine and Maurice Chevalier.

The amazing world light-heavyweight champion, 45 years (plus) Archie Moore, has a part in a new version of Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn." Marked down for showing in Wellington later this year.

Also of interest. An adaptation of the famous novel, "Sons and Lovers," by D .H. Lawrence, with Peter Finch and Joan Collins.

20th Century Fox have "cashed in" on the latest with the mostest, a character called Fabian. Soon his first film, "Hound Dog Man", will be showing. It's got some of the flavour of "April Love" and is not merely a rock 'n' roll catalogue.

Best-selling novel "The World of Suzie Wong," written by Richard Mason, is coming to Wellington as a multi-million-dollar movie starring lovely Eurasian actress France Nuyen, who appeared in the Broadway stage production. William Holden plays opposite Miss Nuyen as her "struggling artist" lover.

"Carry On . .." Series

So much for the American scene. What of British films? As last year the accent will be on comedy. Most likely to make news, the "Carry On . . ." series. The State has broken all attendance records with "Carry On Nurse," which has been even more successful than the one that started it all, "Carry On Sergeant." This year Wellington audiences will see "Carry On Teacher," already in the process of breaking attendance records in Christchurch. And yet another in the seemingly unending series. Recently announced by Anglo-Amalgamated this is "Carry On Constable." So confident are the producers of this film's success that they have guaranteed the London "Daily Express" a £5000 donation to charity if it's not the most successful picture of 1960!

Leslie Phillips, Sidney James, Kenneth Connor, Diane Aubrey, and Charles Hawtrey in a scene from the latest in the "Carry On ..." series of comedies. "Carry On Constable."

"A Touch Of Larceny"

James Mason, whose screen career has always leaned towards menace and strong drama, takes time off from the darker side of life to play smart comedy in the new Ivan Foxwell production "A Touch of Larceny," co-starring Vera Miles and George Sanders.

Producer Foxwell's idea that Mason would be ideal as the British naval officer with not much money but plenty of nerve. To win his beautiful girl friend away from her rich fiancee, the commander plans an elaborate hoax to raise some money in a hurry.

Directed by Sir Guy Hamilton, the Paramount release was especially tailored to suit Mason's talents, and casts Miss Miles as the girl, Sanders as her wealthy fiancee.