ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 68, 17 February 1939, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. “STABLEMATES.” “Stablcmatcs” screens finally to-night at 8. “CRIME SCHOOL.” Sometimes amusing, sometimes tragic, and always oxciting, “Crime School” contains a powerful indictment of until inking, brutal methods of dealing with juvenile crime. Effectively utilising the talents of six New York hoys who became famous in both stage and screen versions of “Dead End.” as well as such adult players as Humphrey Bogart and Gale Rage, the latter a beautiful newcomer to the screen from radio, the new Warner picture makes a strong case lor ias basic theme—that the old type of boys' reformatory is in fact a “Crime School.” The newer methods of dealing with juvenile offenders —designed to prevent their developing into adult criminals—are effectively contrasted with llio old by basing the story on the deter mined fight made by an idealistic young official (o introduce his ideas into a reformatory of the old type. The story makes the six “Dead End” boys the storm centre around which the light rages. Bogart, for the first time in his screen career playing a hero. «s the idealistic commissioner, and he plays his role not only with sympathetic understanding but also with the vigour and aggresoiveneso demanded of a character who successfully battles not only stupidity and prejudice but also political hypocrisy and , crookedness. Remarkably true-to-life pci- ! fomianccs by the six boys have much to do with making the production both entertaining and moving. Lew Seiler, the director, evidently knew just when to let the boys take the bit in their teeth and whop to rein them in That lie was a good choice for director is proved by the i picture itself, and therefore it is not surprising to learn that he spent his own I boyhood in an environment similar to the home neighbourhood of the boy characters in the picture. Box plans are now at Collinson and Cunninghame’s, phone 7178, and intending patrons are urged to make early reservations for this outstanding ' production. KOSY THEATRh. “AIR WONG, DETECTIVE.” Boris Karloff as “Air Wong, Detective.” Thrills! Thrills’ And more thrills in the first series of baffling detective mystery dramas. The meet seasoned follower oi ‘ the adventures of screen sieuths will get i a real thrill out of “AJr Wong, Detective,” , which is now showing at the Kosy T’hca- 1 ire, for not only is it clever mystery dra- j nia, full of action and suspense, but it : serves to introduce a new screen detective . in the person cf that ox-horror man and ■ master of ceric characterisation. Boris Kar- j lofi. For this first in a series of mystery j films, based on the popmar Hugh Wiley j stories, Karloff dons ilio celestial raiment 1 of James Lee Wong, a hero well known • to magazine lans. \N ong, educated at Ox- ; ford and scientifically schooled in crime • detecting, begins his career at Aionogrum i by unravelling a triple murder that baffles ■ San Francisco’s po.ice. Three partners of ! the Dayton Chemical Company arc killed, each alone in a room which has no access. Wong is called iri to help to solve the 1 crime and work with his friend, Captain Street, of the Sail Francisco I’olicc Department. With the help of test tubes and a physics book, Wong discovers the murderer’s methods —the use of poison gas in j a gla&s receptacle which is shattered by : vibration —but it is not until after the third j murder that he learns how the glass was j made to break. With this dangerous secret in his hands, Wong sets oIF for police headquarters, but walks into the killer’s trap, where his two friends have preceded him. This tense situation leads to a thrilling cli- ' max, aa Wong unmasks the killer and saves the lives of his friends by an ingenious [ trick. Karloff is excellent as James Lee j Wong, and it is certain that he will become the screen’s No. 1 detective. Evelyn Brent. Lucicn Prival and Frank Bruno are a sinister trio of international spies. Grant Withere, as Captain Street, makes the-man intelligent, and therefore ho is more of a person than the usual movie policeman stooge. John St. Pol is contributes a fine portrait of a hysterical inventor; and Alaxinc Jennings as Myra, the secretary, is outstanding. Other Wong pictures to follow include: “.Mr M ong in Chinatown and “The Mystery of Mr Wong.” If “Mr Wong, Detective” is any indication, the series should be extremely popular. “SHE ASKED FOR IT.” Tlic associate feature, “She Asked Tor It,” is a new mystery comedy with William Gargan and a beautiful new- star, Orion Heyward, in the leading roles.