"THIS MAN IS NEWS."

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 151, 29 June 1939, Page 14

"THIS MAN IS NEWS."

COMEDY-MELODRAMA FOR REGENT

Filmed in the same light vein that made pictures in the "Thin Man" series bo popular, "This Man Is News," a murder irystery with a. novel twist to the screenplay, is to open at the Regent Theatre to-morrow. Barry K. Barnes, the Englishman -who starred with Corrinne Luehaire in the dramatic "'Prison Without Bars," heads the cast, and, according to advance reports, gives the be«t performance of his fairly short screen career. Valerie Hobson, the beautiful heroine of "The Drum," has the feminine lead, and she, too, gives an impressive portrayal. The other featured role is filled by Alastair Sim. the cadaverous English actor who is rapidly coming to the front rank of comedy performers. He, too, gives of hie beat in this film and is quite as impressive as Barnes. Barnes is cast as a newspaperman who write# the story of a mnrder before it happen?. As might be exoected, this results _ in him beinjr placed in a difficult position, but he is able to prove his alibi. The crooks responsible for the killing, i however, decide that he either possesses ; amazing foresight, or else knows too much. Whichever wa.v it is, it is best for them that he should be put out of the way. Accordingly they set to work to "get" him, and before long the reporter is himself front-page news. He has several nar- , row escapes from death, and the action culminates in a thrilling gun-battle, after which the master-villain is captured in iznominious Hy the reporter's ! wife, played bv Miss Hobsnn. S'"-. is seer> as the reporter's r' niral news-editor boss, who views his minlovee s efforts sensationalism with jaundiced eve lie i« convinced that he has "pot something." Made by the Paramount Company in England, the film is likelv to prove one of the most nopnl-ir Kn:rli c h productions of the year. Howard mad» a smooth I job of the direction, and the film sparkles ' with excitement and comedy throughout.