STATE THEATRE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21822, 27 November 1940, Page 6

STATE THEATRE

“CHARLIE CHAN IN PANAMA” With the war at sea taking much of the spotlight in the present international conflict, the defence of the Panama Canal as "America’s lifeline” assumes greater importance in the national scene. Keeping the Canal open is vitally necessary to the present naval strategy where most of the fleet is stationed in the Pacific but must have immediate, unhindered access to the Atlantic. With this timely situation as its basis, the film now ‘at the State Theatre, “Charlie Chan in Panama,” takes on real significance not only as entertainment but as an unusual insight into the Canal Zone’s battle to prevent sabotage. Sabotage is the principal threat to the ship artery’s safety; so well have the defences been developed that attack from land, sea or air is practically impossible. It is the trail of a suspected attempt at sabotage that brings the famous Oriental sleuth to Panama —a fiendish plot to mine the Canal and bottle up the U.S. Fleet in the wrecked locks. Sidney Toler again plays the Earl Derr Biggers detective and a fine cast supports him in this exciting photoplay. The depression came late to the Jones Family, but it hit hard. Dad’s laid up, their home is gone and they have only their trailer and family car in “On Their Own” which is the associate feature. But you can’t keep a good Jones down, and when the depression threatens to whip the whole family—well, they trade their car and trailer for a bungalow court and end up having more fun than ever. In their usual Jones Family roles are Spring Byington, Ken Howell, George Ernest, June Carlson. Florence Roberts and Billy Mahan. There’s a strong featured supporting cast. “The Grapes Of Wrath” A deep, stirringly human appeal draws audiences to the very heights of film entertainment in “The Grapes of Wrath,” John Steinbeck’s fearless novel, which comes to the State Theatre on Friday.