EMPIRE

Evening Star, Issue 23496, 9 February 1940, Page 11

EMPIRE

* Mutiny in the Big House,’ to he screened at the Empire to-night, is' a human, although brutal, story taken from an original story by Martin Mooney that was based on facts. It has polished production qualities, with moral values, as well as drama. It is certainly not suitable for children. Charles Bickford heads a strong cast as Father Joe, a prison chaplain. Barton MacLane gives a vital performance as Red Manson, a murderer and leader of the mutiny. Three characterisations that are profoundly impressive are played by Pat Moriarity, Dennis Moore, and William Royle.. “ Johnny ” is a young man who forged a 10-dollar cheque to buy medicine for his sick mother, and, through being sent to the Westview Penitentiary, lost faith in the world; but as time went on found, it again. The warden tries to treat hardened criminals with kindness, but finds they preferred freedom instead of his pity. “Dad” after 20 years of prison life that prison was really home to him. There are many tensely exciting scenes in ‘ Mutiny in the Big House.’ One of the most gripping sequences ever presented in a prison drama is when Father Joe faces Red Manson and 1,000 crazed convicts armed with machine guns. There is a strong supportinsr programme, including ‘ Onward.’ a film released by the New Zealand Government; a Paramount ‘Popular Science ’; ‘ Sweet Moments,’ a Paramount musical: ‘ Pathe News,’ stop nress of the screen; and a Cinesound Newsreel with the departure of the first echelon of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.