‘FATHER BROWN, DETECTIVE'

Evening Star, Issue 22032, 18 May 1935, Page 11

‘FATHER BROWN, DETECTIVE'

OUTSTANDING FILM AT ST. JAMES • Faith, human understanding, and. a philosophical outlook form a rare combination of qualities. They constitute the make-up of G. K. Chesterton’s whimsical little priest, Father Brown, the principal character in ‘ Father Brown, Detective,’ the featured production of the excellent programme which opened at the St. James Theatre yesterday. With a selection of splendid shorter films, it delighted a large audience at the theatre last night. As the genial priest, who relies on ’ kindliness and human understanding to redeem an international criminal, Mr Connolly has a role which enables him to give his flair for character portrayal full scope. He has done nothing better than his priest who, scorning official and worldly orthodoxy, relies on his own intuition to solve the problem of winning a soul which preferred to be lost. In the hands of Paul Lukas, Flambeau, the jewel thief, is both rascally and lovable,, and his association with Father Brown provides some of the most attractive passages of the > production. Charming Gertrude Michael is the girl for whose heart Flambeau is prepared to sacrifice all, but as the story unfolds the value of the renunciation is attested beyopd , challenge; honour and love are wonf and the price is willingly paid. The plot about ten diamonds, known as the Flying Stars, four of which are in a crucifix. A famous thief warns the owners of the diamonds that he is going to steal them to give to a beautiful girl. But Father Brown, to whose church the crucifix belongs, has other ideas, and the way in whicli he sets about saving the thief from himself makes excellent entertainment. He pits his knowledge of human nature against the acquisitive dfesires of the crook, and in this Father Brown is aided by the daughter of a nobleman, who possesses other beautiful gems, also listed by the crook for attention. The pair meet at a club raid, the crook rescuing the beautiful unknown by sheer audacity; and they fall in love, but the revelation of the handsome stranger’s identity comes as a shock to the society girl. However, Father Brown, as a rotund Cupid, again takes part in the salvation of a man frbm a career of crime, and his methods provide amusement and astonishment because of their unorthodox character. Human psychology is as much a part of the priest’s make-up as his soft Irish brogue and his wheedling tongue, and there is a fine finish to a story which holds attention from the first few feet of reel. Whimsical comedy of the type that has made the novels of Mr Chesterton so popular pervades the film throughout. The scene in which the thief, having disguised imself as a priest at a Eucharistic Congress, is taken on a tour of London by Father Brown, is one of the gems of the story. All the minor parts are interpreted by accomplished artists. These are Hal 1 liwell Hobbes, as a police commissioner, who reads mystery novels in his spare time, and Una O’Connor as Father Brown’s housekeeper. She is the actress who was responsible for so much of the humour of ‘The Barretts of Wimpole Street.’ In an exceptionally fine supporting programme is included a picture taken by permission of the Canadian Govern 1 ment, entitled ‘ A Day in the Life of the Dionne Quintuplets.’ Several interesting gazettes, a Betty Boop cartoon, and a Grantland Rice “ Sportlight ” complete this outstanding programme which will bo shown to-night and during next week.