ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 227, 23 August 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

.' STATE THEATRE. . “THE SAINT TAKES OVER.” With a thrilling story of mystery and adventure as its basis, RKO Radio’s “The Saint Takes Over” revealing itself as the ■ best of the filmic exploits of the noted Leslie Charteris character, shows to-night at the State Theatre. As in previous offerings, George Sanders plays the suave and debonair “Saint” whose activities baffio both the police and the leading crooks of two continents, while Jonathan Hale again portrays Inspector Fernak of tho New York Police Department, and Wendy Barrio a mystery girl. The plot of the new film, which marks the fifth time The Saint has conic to, tho screen, deals with an ingenious .“frame-up” contrived to discredit Fernak and end his embarrassing investigation of a criminal ring. Tho Saint learns the identity of tho meinbors of the. ling, and with, Fernak .sets about the difficult task of forcing a confession that will clear the police officer. Unfortunately, a mysterious killer reaches several of tho crocks in turn just 'before The Saint and Fernak can talk to them. Fearing tho others will also bo slain before they liavo a chance to restore Fernak’s good name for him, Tho Saint tries to intercept the killer. How he succeeds, and the dramatic outcome of his efforts, makes “Tile Saint Takes Over” a thoroughly exciting piece of film faro and one that adds new stature to its -principal actors. Sanders himself does brilliantly as the resourceful Robin Hood, and Hale and Miss Barrio turn in splendid performances, as do Paul Guilfoylc, Morgan Conway, Cyrus W. Kendall, Robert Keane, Pierre Watkin and James Burke! KOSY THEATRE. “FOR FREEDOM.” “For Freedom” commences in a newsreel office in London just before Munich. Will Fyffe, as the editor, has the idea of a film retelling events between the end of the' last war and the beginning of this. Of interest to New Zealanders is the fact that one of the commentators in this film is Vice-Admiral J. E. T. Harper, C. 8., M.V.O. (Retd.), a Now Zcalandei, who, served in the Navy during the last war and is now retired. Ho is a distinguished naval historian, and • compiled the official record of the Battle of Jutland. He : was the first New Zealander to achieve Vice-Admiral's rank. Charlie McCarthy finally has realised that he is an important figure in the movie industry. At least Universal executives were led to believe that when they were trying to get the actual filming started on “You Can’t Cheat An Honest Man.” With the script all prepared, Director George Marshall ready to give (he starling order and W. C. Fields and Edgar Bergen waiting to begin, Charlie became a holdout. “I won’t do a lick of work until I get my own dressing room,” Master McCarthy declared. “Fields has 'his own dressing room. Am I not' as good as Fields? As good—l’m better every day in the week!” “Why, you jabbering hat rack,” retorted Fields, “I’ll whittle you down to a toothpick if you aren’t careful.” “Hold your tongue, Fields, oil’ll mow . you down like a blade of grass,” . Charlie shouted. “I etill won’t start the picture until I get my bungalow.” So Producer Lester Cowan issued orders for the immediate building of the bungalow.