CIVIC THEATRE.

Otaki Mail, 6 September 1939, Page 3

CIVIC THEATRE.

TO-NIGHT. ROMANCE FOR THREE. An enthusiastic audience at the Civic Theatre last night enjoyed “Romanes for Three.” Nearly every poor man would like to enjoy the life of a millionaire for two weeks, and every rich man would like to go back to the simple pleasures—at least for the same time. And that’s just what Frank Morgan, Robert Young and Reginald Owen do in this escapade of the Alps. Morgan turns poor while the other two actors become rich and powerful. Their plan works until Morgan’s daughter,' Florence Rice, liis house-keeper, Edna -May Oliver, and his “girl friend,” Mary Astor, find out about it. But in the meantime Morgan who has won a contest and has been given two week’s vacation at a swank Alpine resort, appears to be a poor man and therefore is treated badly by the management. Only one man is kind to him, and fie is Henry Hull, the dish-washer. When Morgan’s family makes him return to his normal life as the wealthy capitalist, he orders the hotel manager and porter to his office, explains that he was actually staying ut his own hotel, reminds them of their treatment toward him and makes the dish-washer their boss. THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. “YOUNG AND INNOCENT” For the latest picture for G.B.D. “Young and Innocent,” which is coming to the Civic Theatre on Thursday und Friday, famed English director Alfred Hitchcock took the best-selling novel. “A Shilling for Candles,” and adapted it into a film story which fulfils one of his greatest ambitions. The plot is dramatic and intense. A girl is found murdered on a lonely beach. The man under suspicion is chased by the police. The adventurous daughter of the chief constable assists the fugitive, and they find an ally in a down-and-out tramp. The daughter is played perfectly by Nova Pilbeam,| and the young suspect by Derrick de, Ma-rney. A new-comer, this young manj has all that it takes for big things in .the picture world. Edward Rigby! gives u faithful characterisation of the tramp. Together these three characters race across England with the police at tlieir heels. Pilbeam has the greatest role of her young career and one which affords this brilliant actress full dramatic scope. She improves on the work which made her famous in “Tudor Rett’’ and “Little Friend.” Mr. Wong Detective. A new series of dective stories will be introduced at the Civic Theatre on Thursday and Friday as “James Lee Wong,” in the person of Boris Karloff, makes his bow in Monogram s r * Wong, Detective.” Joining the company of Charlie Chan, Mr. Moto, the Saint, Philo Vance, and others, James Lee Wong, newest screen sleuth, is a fugitive from Collier’s Magazine and a creation of Hugh Wiley, because for manv years Mr. Wiley’s “Wong” stories have been appearing in that publication. James Lee Wong is a native ot San Francisco, an educated, cultured Chinese. He is a scientific “test tube detective, who revels in intricate cases The more baffling the mystery, the more intrigued is Mr. Wong. Monogram has planned four “Wong” pictures to be released during, the 1939 season. Srgning Boris Karloff for the lead was a master stroke. Karloff, lengkniwvn as the “horror” man, hated this ep.t Q_, and has yearned to become identified on the screen with a character who would have other claims to fame Desides his ability, to scare children.