Current Movies Strip Gangster of False Colours

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 97, 27 April 1938, Page 11

Current Movies Strip Gangster of False Colours

The modern racketeer is being stripped of his colour and glamour iu current pictures before the cameras of Hollywood movie studios! No longer depicted as a brawny and daring individual, surrounded by illgained riches and riding roughshod over the better elements of society*, he is be-

ing revealed as a cowardly weakling deserving only of utter contempt. “This about face in casting gangster types for the screen is no attempt at a morals crusade," declared George Wag gner, author and technical adviser on the production “State Police" now being made at Universal studios. “It’s merely that Hollywood is determined to present the gangster as the spineless coward which he really is. “Ho bears little resemblance to his dangerous and rugged predecessor of a few years ago," the writer explained as he watched a score of “heavy" types with big noses, cauliflower ears and broad chests paraded before him. “The modern racketeer is loud and aggressive only when he feels he will be protected in his criminal acts by some shady minded lawyer. {Slight of build, and operating without regard to justice or fair play, he will be shown the screen for the contemptible creature that he is in real life." With this thought in mind, director John Kawlins is selecting for “State Police" only those types of characters which he feels will portray the racketeer iu true colours. Based on one of the greatest newi stories of recent months, “State Police" is being produced for Universal by Trem Carr, and has John King, Constance Moore, William Lundigan, David Oliver and Larry Blake in the leading roles. Deanna Durbin, 15-year-old screen, and radio star, has the distinction of being the world’s only girl Boy Scout. The honour was bestowed upon her by Troop 42 of aSn Diego. In a ceremony at Universal Studios, she was presented with a certificate of honorary membership as a tribute to her acting and singing. As a part of the ceremony the boys played a new march for her, called “March Deanna." It was composed by the troop expressly for the star,