“THE ARGYLE CASE”

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 941, 7 April 1930, Page 15

“THE ARGYLE CASE”

MYSTERY THRILLER AT ST. JAMES THOMAS MEIGHAN’S GREAT ROLE If there was anyone at the St. James Theatre on Saturday who discovered the murderer of John Argyle before: the denouement from the screen, he is a second Sherlock Holmes. As a really mystifying detective story, “The Argyle Case” is supreme, and for sheer suspense, thrills, and excitement in a talkie, can scarcely be excelled. “The Argyle Case” sets a problem, then cleverly sustains* it until the very end of the story, and turns* the audience out into the street still tingling. The author has outdone Conan Doyle and Edgar Wallace, and then capped it bv making the detective a very likeable fellow, who combined scientific criminology with all the usual old trappings of detectaphones and explosives, and just a dash of romance. Thomas Meighan as Alexander Kayton, master detective, was undoubtedly the chief character of the piece, and his well-modulated voice adds immeasurably to the strength of the play. The part he portrays is that of a private detective who, by means of deductive reasoning, weeds out from a group of suspected persons the one guilty of the murder of the wealthy Mr. Argyle. His performance is dignified and impressive. The murderer left no clue, but the position was so complicated that several people came under suspicion. An elaborate organisation for passing counterfeit banknotes is discovered, and the detective unearths some unexpected facts about the past lives of several of the leading figures. The story builds up to more than one exciting climax, which it would be unfair to disclose, but this much must be said—the audience gets full measure of absorbing plot and action. CAPABLE CAST

Lila Lee charmingly impersonates the foster-daughter of the slain man, who, while under suspicion, wins the ! love of the detective. Zasu Pitts gives i a fine characterisation of the loquacious Mrs. Wyatt, and Bert Roach sup- ! plies a unique brand of humour as a | fingerprint expert. Gladys Brockwell 1 gives an amazingly fine interpretaiton I as Mrs. Martin, a most important link, 1 and the great H. B. Warner’s restrained ; power is felt in his portrayal of the ! suave but sinister Hurley. The well-knit and* absolutely logical plot, the suspense and thrillls, of “The Argyle Case,” are splendidly done, and are more than enough to provide an i excellent evening’s entertainment for apyone. j Since the St. James changed over j to talkies, it has catered for all tastes j by showing a unique colour and singing production, then a screen version j of a musical comedy, and now a mur- j I der mystery thriller, and there is no ' reason why the last should not be as j ! popular as the other two. SUPPORTING PROGRAMME. ! Quite a little show on its own is J presented in the first half of the pro- i ! gramme. There are selections by the j Mexican Tipica Orchestra, amusing trick violin playing by Frank Whitman, songs and music by the Four Aristocrats, and original songs at the piano by Lynn Cowan. The last item is probably the best j talkie featvirette yet heard in Auck- ■ land. This was the singing of the ! celebrated operatic tenor. Signor Benjamino Gigli, whose glorious voice was heard at its best in a scene from “La Gioconda.” He was very warmly : apnleuded. ATI in all. the new programme at the j St. James is first-class entertainment, j