PLAZA THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 246, 16 October 1937, Page 11

PLAZA THEATRE

“CHARLIE CHAN AT THE OLYMPICS” Comedy rather than drama is the principal interest of “Charlie Chan at the Olympics,” the Twentieth Cen-tury-Fox production which commenced a season before large audiences at the Plaza Theatre yesterday. Acting honours are won by Warner Gland for his exceedingly entertaining portrayal of the bland Chinese detective. The dramatic interest of the film centres round the theft and recovery of a device for piloting aeroplanes by wireless. Although several murders are committed in the course of the story, these are not permitted to interfere with the enjoyment of the lilm. Chan’s sagacity, his quaint sayings and Chinese proverbs, and the efforts of his children to emulate his prowess as a detective, provide constant sources of amusement. The Olympic Games form a colourful background and the Berlin Olympiad is brought to the screen in highly realistic manner. Audiences at the Plaza Theatre yesterday were treated to the unexpected pleasure of witnessing Lovelock’s magnificent finish in the 1500 metres and hearing thv announcement that the event had been won by “Lovelock, of New Zealand.” Another feature of the film from the athletic point of view is the record performance of the American team in the 400 metres relay. In this scene a vivid impression can be gained of the style of Jesse Owens, Ralph Metcalfe and Frank Wykoff. The feminine interest of “Charlie Chan at the Olympics” is supplied by Katherine de Mille, who is responsible for a refreshing romantic performance. Keye Luke heads the sup* porting cast. In addition to this superlative production the Plaza Theatre programme includes several entertaining shorter features. Among these are a number of Fox Movietone newsreels of events of interest in Australia and New Zealand and in Europe.