NEW COMEDY-MYSTERY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 151, 27 June 1940, Page 11

NEW COMEDY-MYSTERY.

"AMAZWQ MR. WILLIAMS" FOR CIVIC. Suave Melvyn Douglas nnd, '-'attractive Joan Blondell confirm earlier 'impressions that they make an ideal romantic team in "The.Amazing Mr. • Williams," opening an Auckland season at the Civic Theatre tomorrow. Douglas is seen as a detective on the police force snd Mies Blondell as the secretary to the local mayor. The two love one another, but are seldom together because of the demands made upon the time of tfee detective. The girl tries various tricks to pin her boy-friend down to naming the date, but is not successful. When she learne that he, dressed in women's clothes, has taken on the dangerous job of tracking down a phantom murderer who 1 has been attacking women she rushes to the alley where she knew he had been stationed. The murderer appears and attacks her—the results, both amusing and melodramatic, make up the highly entertaining screen play.

Indications are that "The Amazing Mr. Williams" wilf be well above the average claw of comedy-mysteries. It ie said tkat the 'action moves at a faet pace, holding the onlooker in suspense throughout, while it w ako developed logically and in an interesting manner. Both comedy and dramatic moment* are handled by the .principal* in a believable and engaging tray, setting a fine example to the remainder' of the cast. Other featured player* include Clarence Kolb, Ruth Donnelly end Edward 8. Brophy.