CRYSTAL PALACE.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19804, 17 December 1929, Page 4

CRYSTAL PALACE.

«THE GREENE MURDER CASE." an ingenious mystery play. Suipicion end conjecture had the audience at the Crystal Palace la-t evening well baffled over the mystery of '•The Greene Murder Ca6«," an entertaining talkie on the Earn# lines as "The Canary Murder Case," which was shown in Christchurch some time ago. Even towards the end Of the film, when William Powell, »f Philo Vance, an eminent detective. di'.covered the murderer of three members of the Greece family, tad audience still waited for to me unexpected occurrence which would show him to be wrong, and lift suspicion from one of the most likeable characters of the story. Powell carrier out an eminently succesnfui caricature of a criminologist who places great reliance on psychology in carrying out hi* investigations. The murder of Cheater Greene and the wounding of hi« sister Ada open the story. Detectives are called in and suspicion settles on one member of the family. Hex Greene, who is himself the nest to be murdered. A thorough examination of the members of the Greene family and their physician, one Dr. Hanpt, gives no cl'ie to the one who has cafried out the murders, bat the detective conducts his case with skill and certainty. The death of Mrs Tobias Greene, a vicious and bedridden invalid. removes one of those on whom suspicion had fastened, and the two sisters, S-bella and Ada. are the only remaining members of the Greene family. Florence Kidridge plays the part of Sibella in an excellent manner. Her casual treatment of the detectives' enquiries are very entertaininir, and her whole part is treated convincingly. Her sister Ada, the Cinderella o£ ti.a family, has a heavy part, in which depends to a great extent the success of the whole mystery. It is certainly played wed. The remaining actors are equally competent, with the imperturbbale butler always the first on the scene after the murders, Sergeant Heath, Vance's assistant, and other figures of minor importance. The end of the action is full of incident-, daring. and surprise. To disclose the murderer here would be to spoil the story for those who will be seeing the picture, but it is safe to say that the conclusion conies as a considerable surprise to the audience. "The Greene Murder Case" is a good play, one that is obscure and exciting all through, we'i acted, and well produced, with the minimum of defections in voice production. Thp supporting pictures include a farcical modern interpretation of a Wild West action, entitled "Faro Nell," in whi-ch Louise Fazecda and Jack Luden play the leading parts. A film showing sea life and combats between various types of marine monsters, some songs by Tito Schipa, and a news film, complete a programme of a varied and entertaining nature.