ANOTHER MYSTERY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 115, 17 May 1930, Page 3 (Supplement)

ANOTHER MYSTERY

“THE TRIAL OE MARY DUGAN.” Murder trials have a particular attraction for film producers at present, because they realise that the court gives unlimited scope for the talking picture, and also that for the average person the, unravelling of the skein of crime has a great fascination. “The Trial of Mary Dugan,’’ which comes to the Regent Theatre this evening, is perhaps the most successful of this type of play yet screened, adapted as it was from a famous stage play, and with such an actress as Norma Shearer in the leading role. Because of her sweet, clear voice, her beauty, and her talent, Miss Shearer stands in the front rank of moving picture stars, and her personality alone would make any film worth while. In “The Last of Mrs Cheney,’ she proved her capabilities. Miss Shearer is Mary Dugan, the girl who is being tried for murder. 11. B. Warner, as the suave district attorney, lives in the role, and other parts arc well played by Lewis Stone and Raymond Hackett. Practically every scene is set in the court, and New Zealanders will find the American procedure novel. The varied types of witnesses, too, make an interesting group of character studies. As in most murder trial-, the atmosphere becomes very tense, at times, but humour breaks out in unexpected places to relieve it. “The True Star Ranger,” Zane Grey's first talking picture, which features George O’Brien and Sue Carol in a thrilling outdoor action film, will be an earlv release.