'THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'

Evening Star, Issue 20993, 6 January 1932, Page 7

'THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'

RICHARD DIX'S NEW PICTURE The race for new story material and novel situations instituted by the producers of motion pictures has resulted in many unusual plot twists and angles. The effect of this has been to improve film entertainment, and consequently ro elevate the screen to a commanding position where it may rightfully claim distinction among the expressive arts. Radio Pictures, among the most active in the general plan to create something new, has been singularly fortunate in developing a startling _ new dramatic theme in Richard Six’s ‘ The Public Defender,’ which is scheduled to open at the Octagon Theatre next Friday. The picture presents Dix in another remarkable characterisation —that of a returned war hero, who has been_ so keyed up by the tenseness and excitement of his battle experiences that civil life is impossible for him. Peace leaves him strangely disturbed and restless. He tries, like countless thousands of other veterans have done, to reconcile himself to the tame pursuits ol ordinary business, but he cannot.

There are no more wars, and he can not fight legitimately, so he organises an unnitive campaign of _ his own against the business and society swindlers who wreck banks, prey on the_ gullible, and steal millions seemingly under the protection of the law._ To do this he leads a double life: ho makes the rounds of his exclusive clubs in his natural self, a rich, idle young man, searching information. At night he becomes a sinister avenger, descending on his victims and leaving a card reading, * “ Public Defender,” to remind them of their ultimate fate. With Dix in this unusual story are Shirley Grey, Wilbur Mack, Purnell Pratt, Alan Roscoe, Ruth Weston, Nella Walker, Paul Hurst, Boris Karloff, and Edmund Breese. ‘ A Man From Wyoming’ with Gary Cooper in the starring role, will also be screened.