"Mrs. Henderson Presents," the British film comedy with Oscar nominee Judi Dench, returns to the Sunrise Theater in Southern Pines, Friday, Aug. 29.

"Dench has no rival when it comes to finessing comedy and drama in a period picture," writes Michael Phillips in the Chicago Tribune.

The film is the last in "The British are Coming...Again" series at the Sunrise.

Beginning in the 1930s and continuing through the early part of World War II, the film tracks the history of the famous Windmill Theater in London. Dench plays Laura Henderson, a wealthy London widow in her late 60s, who wants to have fun after her husband passes away. She buys the Windmill Theater and hires no-nonsense theatrical producer Vivian Van Damm (Bob Hoskins) to run the place. The theater prospers on his idea of round-the-clock revues.

Mrs. Henderson's innovation is to offer the Windmill's largely male patrons tastefully staged tableaux. Undraped females pose as if they are in famous paintings or sculptures. The Lord Chamberlain allows Mrs. Henderson to proceed, as long as the women don't move. The Windmill becomes an even bigger hit.

"Director (Stephen) Fears composes the movie as a love letter to those who survived the worst of the war, as well as to those who did not. Dench has a wonderful time, as does Hoskins -- they're like a poodle and bulldog music hall act," says Phillips in the Chicago Tribune.

"Mrs. Henderson Presents" plays Friday, Aug. 29, through Monday, Sept. 1, at 7:30 p.m. Matinees are on Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. The film is rated R for nudity and brief language and runs 102 minutes.

The Sunrise Theater is located at 250 Broad St., and tickets for adults are $7 and $6 for matinees. Movies at the Sunrise are ad-free. Concessions are available.

For more information, call (910) 692-3611 or visit www.sunrisetheater.com.