PICTURE FILMS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 229, 8 July 1943, Page 5

PICTURE FILMS.

ST. JAMES THEATRE. Screening, to-night at 7.50 and at t\\ o sessious to-morrow —Double featiue. A thrilling mystery drama, Contessions of Boston Blackie,”. with Chester Morris and Harriett Hilliard. Second feature: A bright comedy, “Broadway Bm Shot,” with Ralph Byrd and Virginia Vale. Plus, ‘.‘Don Winslow of the Navy,” ep. 3. Boston Blackie, that hard-hitting, handsome young rogue who constantly beats the cops to the punch and to the solution of seemingly insoluble crimes returns in Columbia’s “Confessions oi Boston Blackie,” second in the thrilling new series which features Cliestei Morris in the title role. Harriett Hilliard, the lovely vocalist of radio and stage fame, plays the romantic lead opposite Morris, in her first straight dramatic role. You’ll laugh till your sides are aching, if you visit the St. James ’theatre during the next two days. The film is P.R.C.’s “Broadway Big Shot,” and oddly enough, the locale is the State prison. After his professional football team has thoroughly licked the prison football team, Ralph Byrd, a reporter between seasons, is framed and sent to gaol to obtain a story liom an inmate —only to discover upon his arrival that the man had died that morning. His editor and the distiict attorney refuse to admit their connection with the case, and Byrd is forced to serve his time. Popular with the men from the start, lie becomes a candidate for president of the Convicts' Welfare League—and wins after one of the funniest mock elections in years. From there, Byrd turns to coaching the prison football team, and also making a few forward passes at the warden’s daughter, Virginia. Vale. Romance flies in the window, and Byrd determines to convince the girl that lie is not a crook—rather difficult considering he is in uniform Ni. 131313. The surprise ending will have you chuckling for weeks, so we won’t give it away in advance. If you want to see one of the host comedies of the season, “Broadway' Big Shot,” written by Martin Mooney, is right down your alloy.