STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 697, 24 June 1929, Page 15

STRAND

“THE CANARY MURDER CASE” “The Canary Murder Case,” a thrilling all-talking picture, continues to fascinate the large audiences at the Strand Theatre. Adapted from the successful novel by S. S. Van Dine, the well known writer of mystery stories, the film retains all the baffling qualities of the original, and the sound and talking effects add considerably to the realism which is a leading feature of the production. The principal parts are played by William Powell, who rises to new heights of dramatic acting as Philo Vance, an amateur detective; James Hall, Louise Brooks, as the Canary; Jean Arthur and Gustav Von Seyffertitz; while other plays are Charles Lane, Eugene Pallette, Lawrence Grant, New Sparks, Louis J. Bartels, and E. H. Calvert. The story concerns the mysterious murder of a notorious dancer, and the clever manner in which the mystery is solved. The short talkie features on the remainder of the programme include another interesting Fox Movietone News, and the first British talkies to be heard in New Zealand. There are scenes and sounds of the impressive last Armistice Day, and a comedy entitled “Smith Wakes Up.”