“Czar of Broadway” Is Universal Success

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7297, 6 August 1930, Page 5

“Czar of Broadway” Is Universal Success

At the Palace on Saturday will be the all-talking success, “Czar of Broadway,” featuring Betty Compson, John Wray, Edmund Brcesc and Claude Alistcr. Mort Bradley is political and underworld boss of the city. His policy is to deal in cents or millions, and he is not averse to bleeding young Jay Grant, whom he meets through the machinations of a feminine assistant, Connie Colton, for whom he entertains a gradually waning alfcction. He takes Jay “around the city sights” during the evening and then plays a poker game with him, only to And that he is trying to take down a practically penniless boy. He enjoys the joke and a strong friendship grows bctw'een tho two men, while Connie’s interest in the young man becomes a serious affair. In a moment of confidence Jay admits to Connie,‘to whom he has avowed his love, that he is really a reporter, trying to get some inside information on the activities of Bradley, whom his newspaper is determined to -• expose. Connie resents the deceit, but later her love for the boy overcomes her anger and she rvarns Jay to be careful, as Bradley thinks the world of him and he is the only man he ever trusted. If Bradley learned the truth, Jay’s life would not be worth a cent. In an ensuing card game, Bradley is fleeced for 220,000 dollars ,for which ho gives an i.o.u.' Jay is at the game, and while he is resting his reporter’s badge drops from his pocket. . Next day, the possessor of Bradley’s i.o.u. calls to obtain the cash, only to be denounced by Bradley for having used marked cards. Ho then hands Bradley the badge he has picked up and warns Bradley that he and his gang will get even. Then comes the dramatic climax of a splendid production.