“TEMPLE TOWER” AT CIVIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1005, 23 June 1930, Page 15

“TEMPLE TOWER” AT CIVIC

“BULLDOG” DRUMMOND AGAIN MYSTERY THRILLER Captain “Bulldog” Drummond, hero of many H. C. McNeil novels, is reincarnated on the speaking screen, in “Tempie Tower,” the Fox Movietone production of “Sapper's” latest book. Possessed of the information that the tenants of Temple Tower are involved in the death of Gurney, an American jewel collector, and the theft of his valuable emeralds, Captain “Bulldog” Drummond and Peter Darrell leave London to investigates, The adventurers arrive at the “Old Dolphin Inn” and are discussing their plan of action, when Drummond is disturbed by a slight sound and sees two menacing eyes staring at him _ from the chimney. His first thought is for the safety of Darrell’s map of the secret entrance to the tower, but lie is too late. It has gone! At the inn they encounter a Miss Verney, who is en route to Temple Tower as secretary t» the occupant, a Mr. Bla.ckton. Drummond, after failing to dissuade her from entering this man’s employ, places his car at her disposal, and he and Peter drive her to the house of mystery. They are startled by the appearance of a mashed black figure, who is evidently anxious to enter the tower also. Drummond and Darrell give chase, but the apparition eludes them, and when they return to the car Miss Verney has already entered the house, which is securely locked behind her. Inside she becomes aware of the true facts of the case, that her employer is in possession of the stolen jewels and that the black figure outside is his double-crossed accomplice, the “Masked Strangler.” The story then resolves itself into a triangular battle of wits—the rival I crooks and Drummond all seeking pos- | session of the emeralds. At last the 1 i watcher in the old house sees the j I warning signal. Someone has entered i i the secret passage! From the control i i room Blackton presses the switch, j ! which brings the walls of the tunnel | : together to crush the life from the in- ! truder. Who is it? Bulldog Drum- i mond —or the Masked Strangler? In • an agony of fear, the girl pulls back ; the fatal switch, which is to bring her ! —what? Deliverance or a further] terror? Local film fans who pride them- ; I selves as amateur detectives will welj come this opportunity of exercising \ their wits in the solution of this Fox ; Movietone mystery. i The part of “Bulldog” Drummond is admirably played by Kenneth MacKenna, an English actor of versatility and dramatic power. His last appearance here was in “Love, Live and Laugh.” Admirers of Miss Marceline Day will welcome her in her first talkie role as the charming heroine. Henry B. Walthall’s portrayal of the villainous Blackton elevates him to a high position among the foremost dramatic actors, and the humour of the picture is supplied by Cyril Chadwick in the “silly ass” role of Peter Darrell, Drummond’s timid and unwilling assistant. The supporting programme is particularly good, comprising an all-talking comedy with Lloyd Hamilton at his funniest, a Krazy Kat cartoon. Fox Movietone News, and Paramount Sound News. Ted Henkel’s Civic Orchestra, in a charming rendering of selections from the “Chocolate Soldier,” and Fred Scholl, with his inimitable handling of the Civic organ, completes a. programme of exceptional interest.