AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 February 1929, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

EVERYBODYS PICTURES. “ FINGER PRINTS ” TO-NIGHT. Thrills and laughs. That is the aim of “Finger Prints.” And this is what “ Finger Prints ” achieves. The laughs arc contributed mainly through the performance of Louise Fazenda and John T. Murray, who appear as a pair of detectives on the trail of $6,000,000. Thg money has been stolen from a hank v and the principal bandits have been ' lodged safely in prison. Rut they have kept- the secret cyf the hiding place of the loot. One clue is that the money is hidden in an out-of-the-way country -.✓house, and Louise Fazenda is planted in the house, disguised as a slow-witteci servant girl. Murray turns up as a hick sheriff; the theory being that the slick accomplices of the crooks will lie unable to resist the temptation to kid him along. Then things start to happen. And they keep on happening with a swiftness that frequently becomes hysterical. It is a combination hysteria of thrills and laughs, achieved through the medium of a perfect detective story, superbly acted and excellently produced. The success off the production is due in a large measure to the direction of Lloyd Bacon, who, with this production, registers his third successive hit since he was elevated from comedies to directing Warner Bros, features. Mr Bacon first broke into big time direction with “Broken Hearts of Hollywood,” whereat he caused many tears to be shed as the pathos of the story spread through the land. He followed this with “Private Izzy Murphy,” and therein the sadness was mitigated by smiles. Now", in “ Finger Prints,” he has deserted the path of tears 'for the open highway of uproarious . laughter and hair-raising excitement. He arrives with a smash in the new held. • He knows how to use. a camera. There is excellent photography, nicely angled ior unusual effect. There is beauty. And there, is atmosphere. And, above all, there is a sure knowledge of how t« build up laughs and thrills. In the. matter ol tin i Is, i tele lie Costello, featured with Jo!.;. 1. .Murray in support of Miss Fazenda, supplies most of them. She an exec’lent . motional actress. •; he ..pelting chapters of the. new serin!, “ Blake of Scotland Yard,” starring Hayden Stevenson, will also bo shown.