DE LUXE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 95, 16 January 1943, Page 8

DE LUXE THEATRE

I will not pretend to hide my disappointment at finding Van Heflin in a thriller—a Picasso in a frame from a live-aiHl-ten-cent store. Not that "Kid Glove Killer at the De Luxe Is not a good show, and not that audiences will cavil at his per formancc in this popular type ot entertainment, but I had hoped that this exceptionally talented young actor would be given something more auspicious m wblcn to make his debut as a star. If volt saw Van Heflin in Johnny Eager” vou will appreciate what I mean He picked up that sordid story from under the very nose of Robert Taylor and bore It awav triumphantly. It looked as If the director, despairing of keeping the plavers in their rightful spheres and perspectives, had finally thrown tlie whole show to Van Heflin. In "Kid Glove Killer” lie is given no opposition, except In the matter of a story, which is as tinllkelv as it Is thrilling. Cast as Gordon McKay, police chemist, he shows How even science is no longer spared Hie attentions of the film-makers of Hollywood. There Is some interesting scientific work dressed up for cinema consumption—but I stilt maintain tlqit Van Heflin is too good for the material. Which Is an observation that seekers of entertainment will not ex actlv quarrel about ! Hong-Kong on the eve of its fill. Is the location of the second film. ‘’Escape from ’’Hong-Kong.” This is an exceiffionally interesting little picture wilh some improbabilities but a good measure of cntertainment.