VIVID STORY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 306, 20 August 1932, Page 7

VIVID STORY

SWEEPING EXPOSURE OF THE INSIDE OF POLICE OPERATION S. "THE BEAST OF THE CITY." The surging drama that is hidden beneath the veneer of a large city is brought out in an engrossing manner in "The Beast of the City," which opens at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday. The picture literally presents a cross-section of the entire structure of the average American city and aside from its entertainment, romance and thrills, reveals a sweeping expose of the "inside" of police operations, underworld and police alignments and the problems that every city faces in the enforcement of law. It is an intimate story of the police, of their home life and the obstacles of their official careers — in fact, a comprehensive panorama of the entire p'olice situation. The story deals with the rise of a police captain who becomes chief of police as a reward for his heroic efforts in fighting an underworld czar. Baulked by political interference, by "leaks" in the department, by oppoI sition even from the reform orga- | nisation which pldced him in office, he fights an almost single-handed battle for the law. Underlying the plot is the romance between an underworld girl and the chiefs younger brother, a detective, who ultimately serves as a secret source of information in regard to police moves. The forceful direction of Charles Brabin, of "Sporting Blood" fame, and the work of an unusually. fine cast of players, helps to raise this picture far above the average. Walter Huston is a compelling figure as tbe police chief who finally pays for a city's security with his life. Jean Harlow scores as the underworld girl and a splendid porti'ayal is offered by Wallace Ford as the detective who turns traitor. Jean Hersholt as the vice overlord, Dorothy Peterson as the wife of the police chief, Tully Marshall as an ii'ascible attorney, and John Miljan as the district attorney, also offer outstanding performances.