Edgar Wallace’s Greatest Comedy Thriller

Northern Advocate, 16 December 1939, Page 14

Edgar Wallace’s Greatest Comedy Thriller

There’ll be excitement unlimited, ■with a laugh in every thrill, when the Chpad production, “The Gaunt Stranger” is presented. Adapted from Edgar Wallace’s comedy mystery thriller, “The Ringer,” suspense, murder, romance and humour all play their part in the unfolding of its gripping story.

Maurice Meister, a criminal lawyer, received a message from » notorious killer, advising him of the date and hour of his impending death. Meister has good cause to fear the killer’s revenge, but outwardly he feigns indifference to the officials at Scotland Yard. At the appointed hour Inspector Wembury and the divisional surgeon Dr. Lomond, are present at Meister’s house, but in spite of their caution the killer strikes the fatal blow. In an exciting climax the killer is

revealed, and how he eludes the

police and vanishes into thin air provides one of the most thrilling and amusing highlights of the film. Produced at Ealing by Michael Balcon and directed by Walter Fordo, it affords excellent opportunities for ■the artists to display their various histrionic abilities. Sonnie Hale as Sam Hackett, a Cockney lag, and Wilfred Lawson as the

Unscrupulous Meister, head a cast cf outstanding talent, which includes Alexander Knox as Dr. Lomond; John Longden as’ Central Inspector Bliss, '■who arrives from Australia without -' credentials; Louise Henry as Cora Ann, /■•the killers wife; Patrick Barr as Inspector Wembury; and Patricia Roc ’“and Peter Croft as Mary and Johnny VLenley, both of whom are at the ■mercy of the criminal lawyer.