Author Of "Night Must Fall" In Jekyll And Hyde Role

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 153, 24 March 1939, Page 14

Author Of "Night Must Fall" In Jekyll And Hyde Role

TpMLYN WILLIAMS, who gives a memorable performance in the role of the schoolmaster, Dr. Headlam, in British Empire Films’ “Dead Men Tell No Tales,” which has just had its first release in New Zealand, is one of the most versatile personalities connected with the stage in England today, despite the fact that he is still under 30. He is an author of distinction, his chief claim to fame in this respect being that he wrote that great psychological play, “Night Must Fall.” Not only that, but he originated on the London stage, the role of “Danny,” which was played in the screen version by Robert Montgomery. The Hollywood star visited London especially to see Williams in the role and he saw the performance eleven times. The same technique employed by Emlyn Williams in “Night Must Fall” is displayed by him in “Dead Men Tell No Tales.” The “Kinematograph” states: “Here is a crime play that more than lives up to its eerie, ominous title. A pathological study with terrific punch, its horrific appeal is compellingly boxoffice. Emlyn Williams plays the key role, that of an academic Jekyll and Hyde, and his portrait of sly, diabolical villainy bears unmistakable marks of genius. The support and direction is good. It is the best thriller for many a day. . . . Emlyn Williams is amazingly clever as the homicidal Headlam. His dual delineation of character is, perhaps, not always convincing in a purely physical sense, but his mental grasp of fundamentals brilliantly covers up any flaws in interpretation. He is, in fact, the picture.” There are three murders.