MAJESTIC

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21412, 2 March 1935, Page 9

MAJESTIC

"MENACE" ." "' "Menace," which will open at the Majestic Theatre to-day, is a spinechilling mystery drama. Gertrude Michael and Paul Cavanagh have the principal roles, and with them are Paramount's latest "lind," John Lodge, Henrietta Crosman, Montagu Love, and Halliwell Hobbes. The theme of the film revolves about a maniac who is intent on taking the lives of three people who were wrongly accused of his brother's death. After dodging this terrible vengeance for years, the three meet in a mountain home in Hollywood, by arrangement, to trap the fiend. But before he strikes unexpected guests arrive and in the midst of all the gaiety the first victim is struck down. Everybody is suspected of the crime. Then the murderer moves to strike again. The tenseness of the drama is relieved by flashes of brilliant wit, and the acting of tho principals places the picture in the first flight of mystery plays. Ralph Murphy, who directed "Menace," always strives for realism in his pictures. Several of the film's early scenes are laid in Africa, and Murphy insisted that the players must perform in tropical heat. Accordingly, all the ventilators were turned off, lights blazed at full amperage, and the actors and actresses perspired freely under the glare of a "tropical" sun in an atmosphere of 90 degrees. The result of this realism is apparent in the picture. "Menace'' is sinister and bizarre, and afforded the producer the opportunity to create an atmosphere that reflects the weird character of the

story. Box plans are now open at the D.I.C. LIBERTY "HEAT LIGHTNING" AND "LAST OF THE DUANES"

-Last of the Duanes," starring George O'Brien, and "Heat Lightning," with Aline MacMahon and Ann Dvorak will comprise the first-class double feature programme at the Liberty Theatre to-day. "Heat Lightning" is a drama of desert love and hate, the principal characters being two girls who are running a service station in the heart of an American desert. The film combines action with romance and light comedy. The two girls Olga and Myra, are played by Aline MacMahon and Ann Dvorak. The story deals with the constant cavalcade of passers-by who call at this lonely oasis. Among the wayfarers are two bandits, one of them, an old sweetheart of Olga, played by Frank McHugh, and the other by Lyle Talbot. The two scoundrels are flying from justice, and at the wayside resthouse they find an opportunity to reimburse themselves. The athletic George O'Brien is starred in "Last of the Duanes.' Lucille Brown appears opposite him, and the combination is a happy one, both players being particularly well suited to their roles. The story was adapted from Zane Grey's widely read novel of the same name. It deals with the romantic and exciting adventures

iof Buck Duane, a handsome young i rancher, who becomes an outlaw after ; he has killed his father's cowardly 'i assassin. The management announce j that every boy and girl attending the ! matinee will be given a bag of sweets. I Box plans are now open at the D.I.C. I TIVOLI ; "THE NOTORIOUS SOPHIE ! LANG" The exceedingly beautiful, dangerI ous, and fearless heroine of "The Notorious Sophie Lang," which will commence at the Tivoli Theatre today, is played by a new screen star, Gertrude Michael. She is cast in the title role as the international thief v.ho is fond of jewellery and men, and especially jewellery. "The Notorious Sophie Lang" is a fast-moving romance of a beautiful girl criminal, who outwits the police of several countries steals the thunder from all her notorious rivals—and the hearts from her many admirers—and gets away witli it. Paul Cavanagh, Leon Errol, Arthur Bvron. and Alison Skipwortn also are 'featured in the cast. At tne opening of the film, the New York detective department is suddenly aroused by a sensational jewellery robbery The manner in which the theft is handled, covering the thief's escape, shows the police that the notorious Sophie Lang has been at work again Her activities arouse the interest of Europe's famous jewellery thief, Cavanagh, and he intends to beat her at her own game—he determines that she shall not become the best in the profession. But that is not the end of the intriguing story. The comedy sequences are furnished by Leon Errol, as the bewildered assistant to the inspector, and Alison Skipwortn, as Gertrude Michael's roguish accomplice. Box plans are now open at the D.I.C.