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Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 190, 13 August 1936, Page 12

STATE THEATRE TO-DAY—“WITNESS CHAIR’

Ann Harding and a cast of able players bring to the screen all tho dramatic connotations which die tide ot her new screen triumph imply—“ The Witness Chair,” which is snowing to-day at the State Theatre. Strongly reminiscent oi “The Trial of Mary Rugan,” die Biuauway success in wmch Miss Harding loon the town by storm, “Tile Witness Chair" is packed witli entertaining drama, intrigue and romance. A series of uramauc episodes m a courtroom lead lo a uiri,lmg climax m wnich Miss riarding cans lorth her entire repertoire or mstnoiuc artistry. A man s me at stake for a crime ho did not commie, ins uuugnier on uie bring of disgrace, the woman wno loves, him trying to protect mm —such bean appealing situations auuioreu by Rita Wuiman in tier cosmopolitan magazine story aro loreefuliy ueveioped m dus RKU-Kadio picture. Miss Harding purtrays tno secretary oi a man wno is accused of the niuruer of ins uusuiess partner. She herseif accidentally snoi Lins partner, ana is forced to live tnruugn a narrowing trial ill widen tno prosecution seeks to obtain a murder conviction against Her ness. Pier courtroom euiuossion is recommended as one ot liio must dramatic screen moments ever stein Most of the action ot “The Witness Chair” is confined to a courtroom, out Kasnback sequences indicating pertinent situations leading to die trial oner a variety of interesting action, i’enormances equal the drama of tno story m , excellence. Waiter Kuei as me aecuseti ; business man and Miss naming s iuvci turns in a convincing cnaracierisaiion. Douglass Dumbrule oners ins eustoinary liigu calibre performance as me "heavy. Moroni uisen as a pouee ohioer is impressive, and a ranees t,ugc, a recruit irom Broadway, handies ner initial screen role with veteran SKiil. Margaret Hamilton, -William Benedict. Hilda Vaughn, Paul Harvey and Murray Kinneil artworthy of mention for their splendid contributory roles. MAYFAIR THEATRE—TO-DAY

MURDER AND MYSTERY IN “THE THIN MAN"

A strong cast, heatled by William Powell and Myrna Boy, appear m "ruo ’Finn Mail,” a murder mruier with an uiiusua. plot, wnich lias enjoyed a great vogue and is enjoying a return season to Liie city. Clyde Wynant, a tail, thill man aim a noted inventor, lias been divorced u> his wile, Mimi, because oi a liaison wim Ills secretary, Julia Wolf. His daughter, Dorothy, disliker her mother but auores her fuuier. The motner's favourite is Gilbert, Dorothy's younger nun-brother, Mimi's second iiusuanu is a handsome idler, Mimi is intatuuled with him, though she knows he only married her for her money. While busy with a new invention, Wynant decides to go into seclusion. Ho even refuses to tell Dorothy where he is going, but promises to return for her wedding during the Christmas holidays He leaves all nis affairs in the hands of his attorney, MacCauley, and plans lo gel money irom him, when needed, through Julia. Before his departure lie discovers the absence from bis safe of some bnods which he had hoped to give Dorothy us a wedding present. Tanner, his bookkeeper, suggests that Julia .may have taken them. Wynant visits Julia and learns that she did take the bonds. He also discovers that Julia has been untrue to him and has been dividing her money with another mail. Wynant gets a fair idea, who the other man is. Christmas arrives, but. Wynant does not return. Dorothy is worried. Mimi, wanting money for her husband, Jorgenson, goes to see Julia and finds her murdered. Wynant is suspected of the murder. Thereafter the plot proceeds along startling lines and tho final solution makes an arresting climax.