FINE ENTERTAINMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 744, 24 April 1933, Page 3

FINE ENTERTAINMENT.

Two British Pictures at

Crystal Palace.

British talking pictures have established themselves firmly in the favour of the Christchurch public, haying reached a standard that is recognised as a guarantee of good entertainment. The new programme at the Crystal Palace Theatre is equal to this standard, and when screened for the first time on Saturday attracted a crowded house. The programme incorporates two full-length British films, “Ebb Tide ” and “ The Face at the Window. “Ebb Tide” is a dramatic story of lire in the London dockyards. It is in a sordid neighbourhood adjacent to trie docks that the main action of the film takes place, showing tlje ways of two women who strive for the love of one man. Revenge, sacrifice, drama ana comedy play their part in the story, which is excellently woven together and, without any undue : straining, reaches a happy conclusion. 4 Ebb liae has for its background the Pool of London where ships from the seven seas meet. Scenes of the busy shipping on the Thames with “ shots of London Bridge and the famous Tower add to the interest. The featured players are Dorothy Bouchier, Joan Barry and George Barraud, and they are responsible for excellent work. In the minor roles, Alexander Field, Vanda Greville and Annie Esmond rise to the occasion. Mystery, suspense, thrills an d romance combine to make 4 The Face at the Window " first-class entertainment. This is a daring mystery drama of Paris, where the citizens have become terrified though the actions of a master criminal, known as “The Wolf. He is responsible for a series of startling bank robberies, each of which is accompanied by murder. The identity of 44 The Wolf” is carefully guarded and the events leading up to his exposure and capture by the famous detective, Paul le Gros, are of absorbing interest. Much of the action takes place in the Apache dens of the infamous Montmartre, and the camera nas caught many realistic scenes. There are also several 44 shots ” of the beauty spots of the French capital. Raymond Massey, one of the best-known British stars, plays the role of le Gros, ana, although he carries the bulk of the drama upon his capable shoulders, he has been given the support of an exceedingly strong cast. Claude Hulbert provides the comedy relief, aad £• Bromley Davenport and Erie Manturin scheme as vHlians should, while Harold Meade, as the doctor and friend of the detective, acts with distinction. Henry Mollison and Tsla Beyan appear in the romantic roles. During the course of the story, suspicion is made to fall on all the principal players, and the exposure of 4 ‘ The Wolf m the final scene makes a sensational climax.