PRISON STIGMA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24401, 12 September 1940, Page 9

PRISON STIGMA

RAFF AND BOGART STARRED The case of the ex-convict who wants to “ go straight ” has never been pleaded so eloquently as it is In " Invisible Stripes,” the film drama based on a book by Lewis E. Lawes, the new film which will be presented at the Empire Theatre to-morroW. Contrast is used to effect by drawing a parallel between the lives of two men who come out of prison on the same day, one a confirmed criminal, played by Humphrey Bogart; the other, a one-time offender determined to rid himself of the prison stigma and go straight. George Raft is cast In the latter role. Bogart is cynical enough to realise that It is only a matter of time until he returns to the big house, and he returns to his former life, intending to enjoy his very ill-gotten gains while he may, Raft returns to his decent, hardworking family, anxious to find a joo and be able to marry his old sweetheart as soon as he has finished his parole. The sweetheart, however, immediately removes some of his illusions, for she refuses to marry an ex-convict. Although he is able to find work, his jobs only last until his employers learn that he is on P® l ’®*® 1 There is further disappointment for him when he'learns that his younger brother is on the verge of becoming a cromt because -he cannot earn enough money honestly to marry his girl The roles of this pair of sweethearts are portrayed bv William Holden and Jane Bryan. ‘The futility of his efforts to go in a world that has branded him with invisible strloes at last becomes a PP ar ® l ?* to Raft and he joins Bogart and hieanff in several bank hold-ups in ordei tofaise a stake for his brother and save him at least from becoming: a criminal. From here the story moves swiftly to us stirring climax.