AN EERIE TALE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19080, 16 August 1927, Page 13

AN EERIE TALE.

ANITA STEWART IN "WHISPERING WIRES." MYSTERY AT THE LIBERTY. ——— "Whispering Wires," a mystery comedy of bogus detectives and murder, based on the stage play of the same name by N. Laurin, heads the bill at the Liberty Theatre this week, with Anita Stewart in the title role. Eerie voices whispering through the night, mysterious shadows, sliding panels, false corridors, ghostly silhouettes, and heartrending shrieks—they are all there, sufficient to make the coolest person set about collecting his scattorod wits. Montgomery Stockbridgo (Charles Clary), giant of Wall street, was a man who boasted that thero wasn't a man living who had double-crossed him and got away with it. And it may have been for that reason that Andrew Morphy (Frank Campeau) was lingering in prison thirsting for revenge and waiting only for the day when he should escape the gaol walls and do his black deed of retribution. He had for his accomplice a half-wit inventor, and when the two got together they set about their grim business of murdering the Wall street broker. Stockbridge was dumbfounded, then terror-stricken by a "whispering" voico over the 'phone. He received a letter that a vacant plot in a nearby graveyard was being prepared. His confidential lawyer was suddenly shot after having been warned. The help of private defectives was called in, but in spite of all Stockbridg'e is shot dead by a fiendish device placed in the telephone receiver by the halfwit inventqr. His niece,' Doris, is threatened. Tho whole househlod is filled with apprehensive forebodings, especially tho negro butler, who translates many of them into action, Suffice it to add that Miss Stockbridge (Anita Stewart) is not killed, but saved by the courage and cleverness of her lover, Harry McGill (Edmund. Burns). So much for the blood-curdling story. But do not; imagine everyone takes it seriously—especially the audience! Two detective assistants, whose only claim to tho name is the badge they wear on their coats, tho negro, butler, and false alarms contribute enough fun to satisfy even the most fastidious. They are in tho limelight quite a lot of the time. Miss Stewart has not a large part to play, but it. is a difficult one. Edmund Burns, as the girl's lover, and Frank Campeau, as the villain gaol-bird Morphy, execute difficult roles. A popular support, "Hands Across the Border," features Fred Thomson and his famous Silver King. This time are on the border of the United States r.nd Mexico, in the service of the Treasury .Department, fighting desperadoes and winning pretty giris. It is a good story of man and horse. Tho Liberty "Concert" Orchestra, under Mr Ernest Jamieson, plays. an appropriate programme of incidental music.