STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 March 1940, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

"THE MARSHAL OR MESA CITY.” “The Marshal of Mesa City,” George C’Brien’s latest outdoor drama, will be shown tonight, and provides additional proof why this virile veteran is considered the leading star of western screen dramas. Suspense, thrilling gun fights, hand-to-hand combats, comedy, tragedy and a tender romance are interwoven in the exciting saga of the courageous marshals of the early West, who ended that riotous and bloody rule of frontier desperadoes. Seen in the title role, O’Brien’s portrayal of the marshal combines one of bravery without bravado, self-assurance without vaunt, and a romance which brings tender love scenes to the screen. On his way to his ranch in the south-east-ern part of Arizona to lead a quiet life after years of service in bringing law and order to frontier towns —the period of the picture is 1880 —O’Brien comes to Mesa City, a small community struggling to free itself from the despotic rule of its outlaw sheriff and his band of desperadoes. When the town’s marshal is killed, O'Brien is commissioned marshal pro tern. His adventures in taming Mesa City’s bad men, comoating intrigue of his poli■ical opponents, and his romance with an attractive young school teacher combine to make “The Marshal of Mesa City” one of the most thrilling of O'Brien vehicles. Virginia Vale, winner of the second Gateway to Hollywood radio quest, 'makes most of her role as the school teacher. She is a clever actress. Leon Ames, a comparative newcomer to the screen, who is rapidly winning recognition for his character roles, is seen as the outlaw sheriff. Lloyd Ingraham is the Mayor; Henry Brandon plays O’Brien’s companion.