STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 May 1939, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

“THE MAD MISS MANTON.” Blending mystery, comedy and romance, R.K.O. Radio’s “The Mad Miss Manton,” which will be shown tonight at the State Theatre, stars Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda in a sparkling story that offers the two favourites some of their finest opportunities. Miss Stanwyck has the role of an irresponsible, thrill-seeking society girl whose escapades arouse the ire of a serious-minded young newspaper editor. He attacks her through the columns of his paper. Because of the reputation she and her debutante pals have gained for their, pranks, Miss Sanwyck is disbelieved by police when she reports finding a body in a deserted house. Enraged at the attitude of both the police and of Fonda, she decides to solve the mystery by herself, and with the loyal aid of her group of feminine companions, she sets to work. The discovery of a second body, attempts to kill Miss Stanwyck for her curiosity, the growth of a hectic romance and the final exciting moments when the harassed police employ the frightened heroine as the “bait” in a trap for the murderer, make for plenty of thrills as the story unfolds. Miss Stanwyck is delightful as the wilful heroine, and Fonda gives a brilliant characterisation as the newspaperman. Sam Levene plays the police lieutenant in grand fashion, and Miss Stanwyck’s “gang”—Frances Mercer, Vicki Lester, Eleanor Hanson, Whitney Bourne, Catherine O’Quinn, Ann Evens and Linda Terry provide splendid support. The gorgeous colours of undersea life intensified through the fanciful use of Technicolour will delight the eye of audiences in Walt Disney’s latest Silly Symphony “Merbabies.” This amusing and beautiful short feature, introduces some lovable new Disney characters in the form of the little sea-children who hold an underwater circus, substituting fish, snails and octopi for the real inhabitants of the sawdust ring.