ST. JAMES THEATRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25304, 14 August 1943, Page 6

ST. JAMES THEATRE

COMEDY MYSTERY FILM Beautiful girls, comedy, and a murder are combined in " Grand Central Murder,” which was released at tire St. James Theatre yesterday. A stage beauty, Patricia Dane, was the victim of the murderer, and no fewer than 10 people were discovered who had reasons for murdering her, and each had had the opportunity. One of them is Van Heflin, who also happens to be a private detective. When Sam Levene, as usual the bungling inspector, finds the case too involved, Heflin takes over. One by one he clears nine of the suspects. Then he reveals how the crime was committed, and how just one person cculd have done it. Heflin is outstanding in his role as the nonchalant sleuth with a sense of humour. Miss Dane, too, turns in a capable performance, showing indications of stardom ahead. Fine work also is contributed by Virginia Grey, as Heflin’s wisecracking wife, Cecilia Parker, Samuel Hinds, and Tom Conway. Thrills, romance, and comedy are blended in the associate picture, " Contraband,” with Valerie Hobson and Conrad Veidt in the starring roles. “ Contraband ” tells an absorbing story of an attractive and alluring spy who gets to London when the Danish freighter Helvig is halted in the English Channel by a British patrol ship seeking contraband. The box plans are at the theatre, the D.1.C., and Jacobs’s.