PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME THRILLER

Evening Star, Issue 22144, 26 September 1935, Page 13

PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME THRILLER

• JOURNAL OF A GRIME ’ FOR STRAND ‘ Journal of a Crime,’ the popular Ruth Chatterton’s latest picture, wall begin at the Strand to-morrow, together .with ‘ The Church Mouse, an uproarious comedy. The suave and polished Adolphe Menjou appears opposite the brilliant star in this psychological! crime film, which is repoited to hold the interest throughout. As the neglected wife, Francoise, Ruth Chatterton’s dramatic powers once a train forcibly impress ■audiences.' Meniou as Paul Molet; a successful playwright who has fallen in love with the leading lady in. one of his plays, gues a 'powerful" portrayal. Based on the drama of the French playwright, Jaques Deval, the story depicts the devastating effects of a murder on the conscience of a sensitive and refined woman, although the crime was committed to save her_ home. ihe murder is committed behind the wings of a theatre where the star of a musical revue, loved by Menjou, is shot down while rehearsing her part. The murder is attributed to a fugitive bank robber who has been tracked to the theatre, hut the husband finds his own revolver hidden in a bucket of water back-stage. The murderess suffers the torments of conscience until, . inevitably, her resistance breaks down. She decides to confess to the murder of the stage star, played by Claire Dodd, but while on the way to the attorney to give herself up she is knocked down by a motor truck. This difficult theme is remarkably well handled, _ and through it Ruth Chatterton and Menjou reach dazzling heights.