STATE THEATRE TO-MORROW

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 27, 2 February 1937, Page 12

STATE THEATRE TO-MORROW

MYSTERY", COMEDY AND ROMANCE IN EXCITING NEW FILM Gay humour vies with thrilling mystery and sparkling dialogue with exciting romance in “Half Angel,” the Darryl F. Zanuck Twentieth Century production that opens at the State Theatre to-mor-row with Frances Dee, Brian Donlevy and droll Charles Butterworth featured at the head of an imposing cast that also includes Helen Westley. Henry Stephenson and Sarah Haden. “Half Angel” raises itself beyond the ordinary in the opening scenes, with Miss Dee on trial for the poison mui’der of her father. Everyone is convinced of her guilt—with the exception of Brian Donlevy, a dashing reporter, and comical Charles Butterworth. his ‘stooge.' Donlevy’s paper is paying Miss Dee’s expenses during the trial, hoping to secure her life story. Unexpectedly, the jury return a verdict of “not guilty” and Donlevy rushes to her side. Miss Dee Is whisked away, however, by Helen Westley, whose hubby is helping those in trouble. Miss Westlcy’s house contains a weird assortment of ex-criminals. Her husband, Henry Stephenson, strongly resents her work but is unable to dissuode her from it. To add to the complications, three maniacs escape from a nearby asylum, among them being Stephenson's halfbrother. Donlevy. still on the trail of Miss Dee's story, follows her to the house. He enters her room through a secondstory window and she, panic-stricken, agrees to meet him at the front gate. She returns to the house to find Helen Westley and Stephenson apparently dying—both of poison! The police immediately j arrest her and with her past record there appears to be little chance for Miss l*ue io prove her Innocence. Donlevey still believes in her, however, and he continues | investigating the crime. He unearths a series of strange clues and, convinced of I a suspect’s guilt, traps him with a (hrilling and exciting ruse. Jt is almost impossible to describe the hilarious comedy that is interwoven with the mystery, romance and suspense. Donlevy is refreshingly gay as the irrepressible reporter, while Charles Butterworth has never been funnier Ilian in his role of Donlevy’s mud-dle-headed, butter-fingered “stooge.”