THRILLS AND COMEDY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20484, 10 December 1934, Page 3

THRILLS AND COMEDY.

Entertaining Double Bill at Civic. Thrills and comedy are provided by the two films which go to make up an entertaining programme at the Civic Theatre this week. The pictures are “ Warn London,” starring Edmund Gwenn. and “ Girls, Please! ” featuring Sydney Howard. In “ Warn London ” Edmund Gwenn has one of his first starring parts, and proves his capabilities as an emotional actor. His part is that of an eminent German criminologist, who, ruined by a financial swindle, resolves on one coup to restore his fortune. Placing himself in the character of a thief, he works out one of the most daring crimes in history. His one wish is that there should be no murder involved in the plot, but his confederates are of tougher fibre than himself, and his hopes in that direction are not fulfilled. Gwenn’s portrayal of the psychological changes wrought by the upheaval in the doctor’s mind is a masterful one. To be in keeping with the part, Gwenn has to speak with an accent, and he does so successfully throughout the film. The author of *’ Warn London ” wrote the story with the idea of giving Scotland Yard a better run than it usually gets, and John Loder, as the detective, is sufficiently daring to satisfy the requirements. Leonora Corbett is an attractive heroine.

The popular comedian, Sydney Howard is the laugh-maker in “Girls, Please! ” The story is laid in a girls’ school, where Howard is Mr Trampleasure, the assistant master. When Howard is left in charge of the school, things move merrily, disobedient pupils and a strong thirst proving too much for the temporary head.