EMPIRE

Evening Star, Issue 23500, 14 February 1940, Page 5

EMPIRE

Definitely one of the finest prison pictures ever to come out of Hollywood, Monogram's thrilling ‘ Mutiny in the Big House ’ is at the Empire. Charles Bickford and Barton Mac Lane are co-starred in tin’s powerful film, and both give splendid performances. The story was actually suggested by the events leading up to and including the infamous prison break at the Canon City (Colorado) State Penitentiary on October 3, 1929. When young Dennis Moore, sent to prison for forging a 10-dollar cheque, is placed in the same cell with Mac Lane, Bickford, the prison chaplain, tries to help him. However. Moore, under MacLanc’s tutelage, spurns his attempts at friendship. A gaol break is planned, and when a “ stool pigeon ” tips off the warder Moore is suspected. A riot ensues. ROCHESTER'S COMEDY. With Jack Benny providing comedy, Dorothy Laraour turning on the romance, Edward Arnold in an important role, and Binnie Barnes, Phil. Harris. Betty Grablc. “ Rochester,” and Matty Malneck and his _ orchestra numbered among the supporting cast, Paramount’s lively comedy with music, Man About Town,’ will come on Friday to the Emipre. Jack plays an American theatrical impresario who. while readying a show in London, showers attention on a Lady of the English nobility in order to arouse jealousy in tho heart of a member of his troupe. The English lady encourages Jack because her husband is so involved in his business that he has little time for her. When Jack and his troupe entertain at the lady's house and the husband begins to suspect Jack, all sorts of hilarious complications ensue. In addition to the big cast, and hilarious story, the picture offers 20 _ Petty girls, chosen by the famed artist, George Petty, to bring his conception of lovely femininity to the screen. Mark Sandrich was tho director.