DOUBLE PROGRAMME.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20281, 16 April 1934, Page 3

DOUBLE PROGRAMME.

Comedy and Western at St James’.

A good comedy and a thrilling Western comprise the double-feature programme at the St James’ Theatre this week. The main attraction is “ The Little Giant,” starring Edward G. Robinson. Buck Jones is featured in “ Sundown Rider.” In his latest production, Robinson springs a surprise by appearing as a first-class comedian. All those who see “ The Little Giant ” be delighted with his performance as Bugs ” Ahern, the bootlegger who breaks into society and gets “ taken for a ride,” to use gangster parlance. Although the film may be classed as of the gangster type, there is no sudden death or machine-gun chatter to remind one of it. It is fast-moving comedy, with sequences full of drama for relief and many thrilling moments. The star scores the biggest “ hit ” of his highly successful career in “ The Little Giant,” but a strong supporting cast gives him great assistance. Mary Astor, an old favourite, and Helen Vinson, a popular newcomer, provide the romantic interest. Buck Jones gives a thrilling exhibition of hard fighting, shooting and riding against overwhelming odds in “ Sundown Rider.” This Columbia Western is equal to the star’s best. New Buck Jones films are always looked forward to, for originality and plenty of action make them acceptable to all. Falling in with a band of crooks, branded a cattle thief and sought for murder, Buck Jones disentangles himself from the net of circumstance in a most satisfactory fashion. Barbara M eeks makes a charming heroine, while others in the cast are Bradley Page, Miles Welch, Wheeler Oakman and Ward Bond.