ENTERTAINMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 4409, 25 October 1934, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENT.

TOWN HALL TALKIES. One of the most spectacular fires ever staged for a motion picture, and one which caused studio executives keen anxiety during its taking, will be seen in the Warner Bros, production, “The Mystery .of the Wax Museum,” which comes to the Town Hall to-morrow and Saturday. This was the burning of a set representing an old Wax Museum in London, which contained scores of figures modelled in wax. Extraordinary precaution had been taken by the production department to make the fire at once awe-inspiring, and yet safe for the actors and workmen. Days were spent plotting the path of (he flames with mathematical precision. A brigade from the Los Angeles fire department was on hand for emergencies, while hoses were connected and kept in readiness. Every workman was provided with a fire extinguisher. Every Technicolor camera available was pressed into service in order to get every possible angle on the fire and the terrific struggle waged amid the flames by Lionel A twill and Edwin Maxwell, the two chief actors in_ the fire scenes. There could be no retake of this scene without involving great expense and delay. For that reason, every available precaution had to he taken to make,sure the scene was right the first time. The flames raged most of the night while the cameras ground away. The sky Was streaked with the first light of dawn before Director Michael Curtiz and the weary crew of actors and workmen were able to quit the kcene. “The Afystery of the Wax Museum” is said to be one of the most exciting mystery thrillers to come to the screen. The action revolves about the strange movements of a terrible monster and a series of mysterious disappearances of famous people and the snatching of dead bodies. Glenda Farrell, Fay WVav and .Frank McHugh are featured with Atwill in the cast of all-star players. The picture is taken from the play by Charles S. Belden antTadapted for the screen by Don Mullallv and Carl Erickson. Selected short items include n musical comedy “TJse Your Imagination,” “Nickelette” (Novelty), “Top of the World” (Travel) and Cartoon “Catnipped.”