FASCINATING MYSTERY STORY

Evening Star, Issue 21748, 16 June 1934, Page 20

FASCINATING MYSTERY STORY

* BOMBAY MAIL' AT THE STRAND There is 5 * a- mystery story of more than usual fascination in • Bombay Mail,’ which opened at the Strand Theatre yesterday. Almost the whole of the action takes place on an express train running from Calcutta to Bombay, and against this highly colourful background is woven _ a tale of crime and intrigue, compelling and exciting. From time immemorial, a murderer or suspected murderer has proved curiously fascinating to mankind. In; 4 Bombay Mail several people are suspected in turn for two murders committed as the train is speeding, to its destination. The search for the murderer is narrowed to certain travellers on board the express at the time. The problem of exposing the. perpetrator is none the less easier because of this fact, for adequate incentives are shown to exist in the case of many of those involved. A fascinating American girl, who Las .difficulty in establishing her _ bona fides, a_man in possession of rubies, a revolutionist, who had been expelled by the afterwards murdered governor, and a Eurasian of dishonest principle,, along with his equally rascally henchmen, form the company for which Edmund Lowe, in the character of a detective, has to pick his culprit as the express rushes on its way. There are many features of ‘Bombay Mail ’ which are of an unusual order, and which, moreover, make ’ enjoyable ,entertainment. The first murder occurs when Sir Anthony Daniels, Governor of an Indian province, is found dead in a small compartment on board the express. Inspector Dyke, a Government agent, boards the train, and in the course or his investigation* places three persons under_ arrest—. Beatrice Jones, a Canadian girl, known at times as Sonia Smeganoff ; John Hawley, an American who has some precious stones;, and Pundit Shuudra, a native whom. Sir Anthony had expelled from a university. Suspicion naturally falls heavily .! on these three, but a dramatic incident occurs when the Maharajah of_ Zunjore, another passenger, is assassinated on a wayside station. while paying his respect to another potentate. The plot becomes thicker and thicker, and with it excitement proceeds apace. When things seem almost impossible of solution, the inspector calls everyone into Sir Anthony’s car, and one; by one all are exonerated—except one—but the highly: dramatic finale must not be disclosed here. It is a story that will hold the interest of any I audience from beginning to end. Edmund Lowe does splendid work in the leading ro’e, and outstanding support is given by Shirley, Grey, the blonde and, pert heroine, Ralph Forbes, Onslow Ste-' vens, and Brandon Hurst. A feature of the story is the setting, which- creates a really Eastern atmosphere. There is a particularly interesting supporting programme, which includes a couple of entertaining news items, a hilarious comedy, a clever cartoon, and a ‘ Goofytone News,’ all the “events” in which end in the most unexpected maimer.