Daily News from New York, New York • 372

'55 Days at Peking1 Is Srrids i Bv DOROTHY MASTERS 4 Ar Comes the moment of truth or a refreshing; semblance thereof. "Fifty-five Days at Peking" spares none of the traditional trappings of a supr-duper spectacular, but these are only garnish, as should be, for something 1 Tj k-nfk Arv A avF4 A V. vastly more substantial than boy-meets-girl stuff while milling extras fight like demons. A powerful drama of global in terest, the film has integrity, a component frequently lost in the razzle-dazzle dangled by so many multi-million-dollar eolossals. David Niven and Charlton Hestoa Tony Huston and C'lie Brook US AT THE RISK of bein of an international emlar- Kirk Douglas Stars In Suscense Picture are the fireworks touched off by sabotaging a Chinese ammunition warehouse.

The characters are credibly human. Charlton Heston is superb as a rugged Marine major dedicated to the service but not without an appreciation of such creature comforts as a hot hath or a pretty stranger. That's how he gets mixed up with Ava Gardner, not vita! to the story but another good name for the marquee. KATE CAMERON as a sick man without much to say. The stirring climax, contrived with a bit of tongue-in-cheek, has reinforcements for the beleaguered nations briskly marching into Peking with color showing and bands at full blast.

The film ends, as it begins, with national anthems competing with one another in the compound. Director Nicholas Ray, a shrewd showman, keeps the tension high while deftly manipulating the human interest. One heart-warmer is Lynne Sue Moon, an engaging "55 Days Allied Artists release in Super Technirama-70 and Technicolor. Produced by Samuel Bronston and directed by Nicholas Ray from a screenplay by Philip Yordan, Bernard G.ordon and Veniero Colasanti. Presented at the Palace, the RKO St.

and Trans-Lux 85th St. Theatres. Rurming time: 2 hours, 30 minutes. THE CAST: Mai. Malt Iwitt 'hrUtt Barones Natalia Ivstioff-ATaQarrtiMT Sir Arthur Robertson Iawir! Nivm The IMw -r Eroirt-9 Tu Hu Set.

Hnrry Jrvlin Ireland Reviewers have lwen asked by Universal-International not ti reveal the surprise ending of "The List of Adrian Messenger," nor to srive away the idetitities of the players representine certain characters in the story. So our lips are sealed lii-year-old cast as an orphan I who becomes Hes ton's personal responsibility. rr Andrews Summer Schedule The Criterion Theatre will inaugurate its new summer schedule Vaguely interposed, she plays a Russian baroness whose husband has committed suicide because she dallied with a Chinese general. There is a general in the picture Leo Gennl but no relationship is established other than his being an eavesdropper when a shopkeeper relays plans for Ava's safe conduct out of Peking. When the guide is killed, she perforce returns to the compound and becomes an angel of mercv.

DAVID NIVEN wears the mantle of the British ensign with majestic aplomb but considerable Grn. Prim Thuan Citl. Siuba Rtmm-i HelimnB Tt-fiii liamt I of "Lawrence of Arabia" starting June 12. There will be two shows daily at 2 and 8 P.M. Sunday evening performances will com-' menee at 7:30 P.

M. Bsrun S-ri Ivsnoff Kiirl 'MSuar PhiliiHe Lerwy Dr. St.Mnf-1,11 Pnl LilkM T-rei l.vnaf Sue Mixin Premiere June 5 Billy Wilder' "Irma Ila Douce" rassment, Samuel Bronston '3 pres will have its world premiere June personal unease. He is the one negative vote when the ambassadors are requested to leave, and it is he who maneuvers a unanimous decision to remain desnite the imminence of attack. The U.S.

representative is briefly glimpsed at the UeMille and naronet Theatres instead of June 6 as previously announced. Jack Lem-mon and Shirley MacLaine are starred. entation is a fairly accurate and tremendously exciting recap of affairs in China during the Boxer rebellion in 1910. As a matter of record, the secret sect called itself "Order of Literary Patriotic Harmonious Fists." However named, this initial "The List of Adrian Messenger." a Universal release. Produced by Edward Lewis and directed by John Huston from a screenplay by Anthony Veiller based on the' story by Philip MacDonald.

Presented Warner, Trans-Lux 52d and Brooklyn Fox Theatres. Runninar time: 1 hour, 3 minutes. THE CAT: Gelhryn (ienr-rp Scon Lady JooH.mi WviUiT uf i i HrimK Sir Wilfred I.llianHel "hrt Rami! Born la.ii(l.-s R'ix lmiMN-tnr Pikf Brtl.ird Ar. hard Mm i.ll.lj- i.r iH-rek Hilon A'trmn M-ntir John in nfc-s Ciirui Kirk TVju'3 Tillrt Lnii Hj-lcr Knlrl Mil hum Kiank Mtrilr: in the role of Derek Bruttenholm. a part that seems to fit him to a as it calls for a boy of 12 capable of handling a hunting horse in a Tony does his father proud in the role.

HISTON KEEPb the action alive with suspense from beginning to end and has handled his large cast well. Besides Douglas, the four guest stars and young Huston, the cast includes Georjre C. Scott as Gethryn, Jacques Roux, Dana Wynter, John Meri-vale, Clive Brook. Herbert Mai-shall and Gladys Cooper. The hunting scenes are so well done that it is to be regretted the film was not in color.

on h.th counts. However, one may be assured that -the finale will surprise and delierht him who sees the film at the Warner, Trans-Lux 52d St. and Braoklyn-Fox Theatres. Since the audience is aware that, besides Kirk Douglas, who appears as himself on the screen, Robert Mitchum, Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis and Frank Sinatra are in the cast, heavily dispuised, it becomes an accompanying e.iessini ame to the solution of 'who done it" fitting the stars to the characters they por-trav on the screen. UK A DKKS OK The News' serial story, "Murder Seed." will know the answers to the riddle why the names on Adrian Messenger's list have all met sudden, accidental deaths.

But those not familiar with Philip MacDonald's murder mystery will follow the moves made by Anthony Gethryn. formerly attached to the British Secret Service, with absorbed interest. The MacDonald story mieht be designated a superior type of mystery drama, as the author has worked out his plot in an ingenious manner and has created a set of credible characters involved in the dramatic action. John Huston, who directed the film on location in Ireland and England, has handled the mystery in a masterly manner. His son, Tony Huston, makes his bow as an actor, under his father's direction.

New York's BIG HOLIDAY SHOW! TERRIFYING AND FASCINATING1M band of foreig-ners-iro-home agita-! tors was tacitly encouraged in brutalities by an empress dis-j tressed by the concessions given I and taken by the major pow-: ers. U. British, Russian, French, German, Japanese, Span-i ish. Belgian, Austro-Hungarian I and Dutch legations shared a compound in the Imperial City. The polygot group numbered about 500 at the time of the 55-dav siege.

The film, at RKO's Palace and "HITCHCOCK AT HIS BESTIR 23d St. Theatres as well as the Trans-Lux 85th is notable for its visual effects, begin ning with delightful water colors by Dong Kingman. Some of his work, whk'h augments the credit 11 I TIMETABLE listings, is reconstructed (or vice C(KISU HAMILTON 5taST.3 n.i.3i. 1 1 I.YKK' versa) during the filming. A MAJOK contribution from the technicians is a rocket-launching device, a monstrous, towering Asthk l'j 4,.

5-; am. i 7 1 i I lUM.t 1.55. 2 5-1. 4 I Rrt.kMiv i m. i.

i. 'in. :4.i in.15. INtl 1 li. 2.

4 05. J.M. machine lobbing inferno into the compound. Almost as impressive I.llKW THtATRES -T. -(1.

111. I JftTH ST. -o. 6 IS. Ill W.

IHKKU1V 14 ii ili if RinirtXKii Bos I 111 MIIIMIKK IIS us ss. IIS ri IIS. 5j. p.HK.s 4S ri 114 "ri. IHMII rl 111 4S JlKH I IT II 45 111 IS.

MT. IKII I 'IS rt 4il. I'l NATIONAL I'l 117. 5:1. NKK 1-J ri 4H, in.

lllMI'H i in. rt 45. in 10. OKI-Ill IM 15. in US.

AKMllSK it 'M lu ll. MIKKIItN IS. 45 nl'IMINKK 5 15. Hll. VKTOKI IS 15 111 HIT SS 1 -til.

lO OS. KKII THKATRK" 'HUGE, SPECTACULARLY EXCITING!" Cut Magazine asta st. KGtNT JtLHAIWIU FOROHAM CHESTER FRANKUN ROTU. CASTLE HIU MARBLE HUL MT. VERNON NEW ROCH.

WHITE PLAINS TOWERS UNMORE OTHER PROSPECT TILTOU MADISON BUSHWtCK GltttNPOWT OA OopklM SHTH ST. IS 411 5115 7 -It iTH ST. 1 1 So 15. 55 AI'H lMKKt Mil. 5:15.

T.S. STIK HIII. a 4S Samuel Bfonston Ipl (I Hesion 6ip i Bi I KB Cfofiic SvifMnH Sforyl i 4 55. 7 4 55 so i I'HKHTI 1 1 5 in is i i rilKIIH 4KWKIIN 1' AMILTON nil. 5 in 2:45.

5:10. ROD TAYLOR JESSICA TANDY SUZANNE PLESHETTE MTIPPI'HEDREN iiM.m ii in os i. ISrKlH IUKUM.I S.1S. 4 10 l' KITKKIil llfc Mil I 1 I 5 -is. 1 1 or INK KTH 1 4 lo lo IIIKI 1 1,1 1-! 1 SO.

4' 1 7 15. 11 05 HI 1 i 1 -til 9 15 i i ri i i iKMi.ii 1-: ro 4 is. I'l l'l Ml Hil 1'i 1 -it. 4 IS. 7 OH II MIKKWUII.

4 1 H. 1 ru.uK-i'i tin 1 1 rK M1M I'l i 4 is. rl I SI! 10 1W 1 117 rivoi i 1 is 40 us Kkll ST. 1 1 3H. 15.

S. 7 IS. 't. ri. i hiii 1-; so.

a s. 1 STm: si mix 1 1 4.1 .1 5 so lit. TrK K-T t. til. 7 W.

i TKVV-' IIV -t. 4 OS. OS. 11 in THwiiA -s-i -t. 1-; 4 I 1 rn 10 Tll K.VTH T.

i I VK TOKI 1 1- 51 45 4 i I'l IS Ol knkk 1 1-; 4 s-; 4 an 7 I 'il -IS WO; I It 1 1-17 3 4 11 1 I ftii tf THPnum LUIIMl 1 4 SO. 7 IS i IV KI.I Bl-l IS. 7 40. l-HM Kll I aH Ul UU It dirt 10 MKAMrr aMKVI'KltM i AHHI.II iA t. i4lSS 2:45.

5 15. MXRKI Hil ALDEN HEIIHS KEITH'S STRAND MT. VUfNlIN 1 35, 4 35 7:1.5 JO. WANK fl 45 lo KIN HKI.I.K 4 :15 7 IS 10 RK.KNT 1-2 IS -J -40 5 05 7 5(1 KIIHI IS 4il 5(15 7 9 5ft HHITK ri.llNS 1 55 7 15 111 VONKKKN 1 55 4.15 7 15 lO VAIDK.VII.Li: WSMATTERIN6 ALL RECORDS! STARTS TOMORROW Fascinating Shocking!" Wondo Hal Daily Nw 13 IT-T! mm NOW AT 4 THEATRES MMtf mar Itti Ave mmtt i 'fOURHITSl BIRDS AlFBEO HITCHCOCK THE AN0 MISTER MIRACLES MJUWELETTES RKO Palace SOT 47 'Hsr RKO 23rd ST. TAUT -Trans-Lux 85th RKOAIbee MUH- FORUM 47th CARNEGIE Jt-NN The, 4' a.

-v tun i iCourtshiR '0f 'RIFiFI SHMtB Cj j.AV T-L A in TOKYO' "JAMES CROWN" T.A.T ntr Heal KMtatr pnicrs fwy larrfy.