CHARLIE M'CARTHY

Evening Star, Issue 23693, 28 September 1940, Page 19

CHARLIE M'CARTHY

bero Unravels tangled skein

There is a wealth of entertainment and linino',lV in ‘ Charlie ADCarthy, Detective.’ the feature of the programme which opened yesterday at the Empire, fho defective in the case being the dapper little dummy motivated by that clever ventriloquist, Edgar Bergen, who is one of the most popular entertainers of the day. -.The start of the story is at a night club, where a baffling murder takes-'.place.-, and Oharfio is! involved in it. AA’ith Bergen as an aid he sets out to nnravel a very tangled skein. There are gangsters aml .gunmen in the story, ami rpmam-e .figures as things run along to an yxciting -climax, when the killer o.pnfes.sc.s, ancLtluf mystery.is.cleared up. Mortimer Suerd, Charlie’s country cousin,- has a leading part iii tbe .film, and contributes, a good part to a. notable production. Well presented, well acted, and cohesion of exciting events not usually associated with a murder story, ‘ Charlie M'Cafthy. Detective.’ sets a new standard in higlily-fcoloured murder plots, in which, swift action and rutlilessiicss are merely incidents. But through it all the comical element predominates, apd clever presentation makes the film an attraction which should make a big appeal to Dunedin picturegoers. . , :>; : , A strong supporting oast includes Bobort Cummings, _ Constance Moore, Jphu Sutton, Louis Calhern, :Edgar Kennedy, AVarren liymer, and Harold Huber.

In this picture. Charlie.M'Carthy actually attains the position of a star, and for the first time his name is on the title.role. Of course, Edgar Bergen shares the starring position with Charlie, edging in on every, one of (Jharlie’s scenes hut not attempting to steal any-thing-from M'Carthy. The story is unusually, sound, and with. Bergen’s inimitable comedy the combination produces one, iof the best entertainment offerings, of the, season. ... The main item is preceded by a musical ; extravaganza,, * OEtiuimbfflaad,’ a shqrt subject of unusual, attraction. Then there is- ‘ Stranger Than Fiction,’ an “ interest ” feature which deals with true subjects that are almost unbelievable. Episode J2 of the ‘ Green Hornet ’ has been feagej-Jy .avvaited.i Besides all these, there is a cartoon, ‘ Sleeping Princess,’ and, of course, ‘ Stop Press of the Screen.’