PLAZA

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 863, 6 January 1930, Page 14

PLAZA

“THE DRAKE It has been done! Hollywood has produced a murder trial, courtroom picture that’s different. As everyone knows, picture stories run in cycles. And when they do they usually are all alike/ as if they had been made by the sam,e director in succession. There have been other murder trial, courtroom pictures besides “The Drake Case,” Universal all-talking production, now showing at the Plaza Theatre, but “The Drake Case” stands alone, apart, a different picture of its kind. But its difference from the run of such pictures is not its only virtue. “The Drake Case” is splendidly done and presents a thrilling story thrillingly done, something that holds interest from beginning to finish. Edward Laemmle, who directed “The Drake Case,” assembled an all-star cast perfectly suited to the story. The cast includes Gladys Brockwell, who gives an unerring performance as the defendant in the case; Forrest Stanley, who is perfect as the prosecuting district attorney; Robert Frazer, whose forceful personality is given full sway as the defence lawyer; and James Crane, who turns in a finished performance in an important role. The sound reproduction of this interesting picture is flawless and the various camera angles, used by Director Laemmle add speed and action to the exceptional photography. Others beside Miss Brockwell, Stanley, Frazer and Crane in the cast are Doris Lloyd, Bill Thorne, Eddie Hearn, Tommy Dugan, Byron Douglas, Francis Ford, Henry Barrows, Amber Norman and Barbara Leonard. A full supporting programme is also presented, which includes the first New Zealand-made sound gazette.