ST. JAMES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 943, 9 April 1930, Page 15

ST. JAMES

“THE ARGYLE CASE” Thomas Meighan, manly favourite of screen and stage, is now at the St. James Theatre in his first talkie, “The Argyle Case,” Warner Bros, latest alltalking Vitaphone production. The audience vociferously indicated its approval of the star as Alexander Kayton, master-detective, whose duty it is to locate the murderer of the wealthy John Argyle. Mr. Meighan’s voice is pleasing and well-modulated, augmenting greatly the magnetic power of his presence. “The Argyle Case” was adapted • for the screen by Henry Thew, from the celebrated, stage success of Harriet Ford and Harvey J. O’Higgins. The support is especially good—H. B. Warner presents with his usual restrained subtlety a suave rascal whose favourite pastime is the passing of counterfeit bills; Lila Lee is the fosterdaughter of the murdered man, who while suspected by the detective, wins his love; Zasu Pitts is marvellous in the role of a loquacious landlady; others in the cast are John Barrow, Bert Roach, Wilbur Mack, Bouglas Gerrard, Alona Marlowe and J. Quinn. “The Argyle Case” is quite the most absorbing mystery story yet presented in the new medium. An excellent show on its own is presented in the first half of the programme. There are selections by the Mexican Tipica Orchestra, songs by Gigli, the famous operatic tenpr, amusing trick violin playing by Frank Whitman, songs and music by the Four Aristocrats, and original songs at the piano by Lynn Cowan.