TALKIE THRILLER COMING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 857, 28 December 1929, Page 16

TALKIE THRILLER COMING

“GREENE MURDER CASE’’ FOR STRAND When S. S. Van Line wrote the murder-mystery story. “The Greene Murder Case,” lie unwittingly provided the plot and character material for one of the most exciting and absorbing mystery thrillers the talking screen has yet produced. It was some time after the hook had received its widespread vogue among thousands of avid readers in America and Europe that Paramount contracted with the author for the film rights to the work. Now comes the picturisation. with complete dialogue, and a splendid cast of stage-experienced actors —including William Powell, in the role of Philo Vance, the super-detective who applies the higher psychology to unravel the skein of mystery which envelops the murders of three members of the strange Greene household.

Here is a picture—it comes to the Strand Theatre next Friday—which has everything to hold an audience breathless with excitement. It has a cast of character actors who have been chosen for the types they portray, because they have proved themselves successful in very similar portrayals on the stage or in the talking movies. It has fast-moving and eventful plot substance. It has a seemingly insoluble mystery—that of the crafty criminal who remains at large until the very end. When the guilty murderer is at last discovered by the shrewd Powell and his well-meaning aide, Sergeant Heath, the picture has reached its logical finish, but the guilt of that person is so carefully hidden that it is not until the very final moment that/ the mystery is ended. Here is a picture that will be enjoyed to the last talking foot of its final reel even by those who have read the book. TALKIES AT THE GRAND The all-talking production, ‘The Glad Rag Doll.” continues to be shown at the Grand Theatre. There is comedy interspersed throughout the picture, and considerable pathos. Most of the pathos comes from the heroine's act in accepting Dt',ooo from the hero’s family lawyer supposedly for the purchase of love letters the young brother of the hero had written to her. but in truth to make good cheques the young man had forged and thus save him from being sent to gaol. The comedy comes from the heroine's ingenuity in disclosing the fact that each member of the hero’s family was far from being an angel. For instance, she notices that the aunt is a kleptomaniac, the young brother, who wanted to marry the heroine, had forged cheques, other members of the family having other faults. The uncle, impersonated by Albert Gran, is the only one shown to be human. A number of short talking and singing items are included on the programme. On Monday next the Grand will present Colleen Moore’s delightful alltalking comedy, “Smiling Irish Eyes.” LABOUR PARTY DANCE New Year's Eve will be celebrated in fitting style by the combined Auckland branches of the Labour Party, who have organised a big dance in Scots Hail. There will be all kinds of dancing, vocal items by leading artists and a magnificent list of valuable prizes and gifts.

BAND AT ZOO ON SUNDAY The Municipal Band plays at the Zoological Park on Sunday afternoon at three o’clock. A fine programme includes “Zampa” overture; selection, "Reminiscences of England” ; potpourri, “Tangled Tunes”; triumphal march, “Cleopatra”; cornet duet, “Cheerfulness” by Messrs. Bowes and Morgan; piccolo solo, “The Comet,” by Mr. McLennan; glee, “Hail Smiling Morn”; bright marches and other tuneful items. On Sunday evening at 8.30, the band will give a free musical recital in the Town Hall, when an entire change of programme will include the overture “Italiana In Algieri”; selection, “Maritan;!.”; morceau militaire, “The Outpost”; Ansell’s Three Irish Lances, and other favourite numbers.