Film Preview – Chichester Observer – Saturday, 19 June 1948

PAVILION, SELSEY. Australia's greatest peace-time hero. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, who was the first man to make an aerial conquest of the Pacific, becomes the central figure in film of his world-embracing adventures, "SOUTHERN CROSS,” which is brought to the screen of the Pavilion on Monday for three days. Smithy wanted to be the first man to fly the Pacific. Handicapped by lack of funds, he aroused the support of his own government starting on the first of a number of record-breaking flights which brought him fame and fortune. But before achieving his flying ambition, Kingsford Smith had to face many setbacks, and even humiliation. How, encouraged by the woman he eventually married, who stood by him in adversity, he overcame all obstacles and readied his goal, only to lose his life in a long-distance flight, makes powerful screen entertainment. Boredom with life in a small town and burning ambition to see the world, torment James Stewart as the hero in "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE,” the comedy drama showing for the remainder of the week. Laid in a small town the story covers the career of George Bailey, played by James, with Donna Reed as his childhood sweetheart. Figuring in the tale are the, ups and downs of a building and loan company founded George’s father to provide decent homes for the townspeople. George has to take over and save the concern from the town’s crusty old banker and slum-owner.