COMEDIAN IN CHARGE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22592, 23 December 1938, Page 5

COMEDIAN IN CHARGE

Will Hay, the inimitable British comedian, causes constant laughter by the trouble he falls into in “Convict 99," which begins to-day at the Crys-

Will Hay in “Convict 99”

tal Palace, with “Outlawed Guns.” The story of “Convict 99" relates that when Dr. Benjamin Twist, of St. Michael’s famous school “for the sons of gentlemen,” is forcibly retired he goes to prey on his brother, Alfred, and his nagging wife. Not relishing the prospect of providing an out-of-work with sanctuary beneath her roof, the loquacious lady makes Benjamin answer an advertisement in the local paper. Fate decrees that Dr. Twist shall be interviewed by a board of prison authorities, who are waiting for a Mr Benjamin to arrive from Australia to take up the post of Governor of Blackdown prison, the_ “school for lifers.” Twist gels the job through mistaken identity. His arrival at the prison coincides with a mutiny among the inmates. One escapes from a newly arrived batch and Twist is collared, again by mistake, and hastily thrown into a cell, there to grin and bear the humiliating retorts from his corridor colleagues to his cries of explanation. Fortunately, the error is discovered and full reparation is made to the unhappy Benjamin, who, having obtained first-hand knowledge of the plight of his inmates, decides to reform the entire policy of the prison! For sheer excitement, resulting not only from tense situations but also from furiously paced action, “Outlawed Guns” takes high rank. Buck Jones is starred in the leading role, and takes full advantage of his opportunities. Ruth Channing is altogether charming in the principal feminine role, and others in the large cast are Roy D’Arcy, Frank McGlynn, sen., and Pat O’Brien.