KING’S THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 154, 26 March 1938, Page 16

KING’S THEATRE

* “Forty Naughty Girls” And “Danger Patrol” “Forty Naughty Girls” is an unusual and intriguing title for a murder-mystery melodrama, but since, in this new feature at the King's, the mystery in the story is 'subordinated to comedy, it is possibly not inappropriate. The title refers to a musical production attended one evening by Police Inspector Piper (James Gleason), and his persistent companion. Hildegarde Withers (Zasu Pitts). This very evening

is the one chosen by someone to murder the show’s Pressagent, and follow it up later with a second killing. So, while the show goes on, Inspector Piper and Miss Withers go back-stage on the trail of clues. The scent leads them into many likely and unlikely places, which

are the settings for much hearty foolery and persistent cross-talk. The murderer's identity fairly soon becomes obvious, but there is still entertainment to be drawn from the blunderings of the detectives and the repartee of Za'su Fitts, who constantly scores points off her colleague. This picture is one of a popular series, and is up to standard. In the second feature, ‘'Danger Patrol,” John Beal is cast as a medical student who undertakes the hazardous work of handling and transporting nitroglycerine in order to earn enough money to continue his studies. He has a fellowworker in Harry Carey, whose daughter (Sally Eilers) provides the romance. It is rather a pity that the audience is not shown more of the dangerous nature of the work, instead of the characters being left to talk about it. The exciting action is mainly reserved for the dosing scenes when Carey takes the younger man’s place on an assignment to fly a cargo of the explosive to a burning oilfield

STATE THEATRE, PETONE

Laurel and Hardy are now at the State Theatre, Petone, in the feature-length comedy, “Way Out West.” “Way Out West” is an ideal vehicle for them ; one of the most humorous features they have ever presented. As a pair of inexperienced desert prospectors Laurel and Hardy romp through a succession of adventures and misadventures that sends the audience into gales of laughter. A film of Flying Officer Clouston's arrival at Blenheim after his flight from England will also he shown.