STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 May 1939, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

“MR MOTO’S LAST WARNING.” Tonight there will be a double attraction —“Mr Moto’s Last Warning” and “Thanks for Everything.” “Mr Moto’s” first appearance was in the pages of an American paper. True, thousands of people immediately adopted "Moto” as a favourite, but it remained for the movies to introduce him to millions of screen followers. Today, “Moto” is a household word. Audiences eagerly await his each new adventure and it is doubtful if there is a single movie-goer who is not familiar with Peter Lorre’s characterisation of the detective, famous for his wily ways, sleight-of-hand ability, and mastery of jiu-jitsiu. Lorre, as usual, is starred in “Mr Moto's Last Warning,” a 20th Century-Fox picture also featuring Ricardo Cortez, Virginia Field, John Carradine, George Sanders and Joan Carol. The picture, relates “Moto’s” adventures in foiling a plot to cause an international crisis at the scene of the Suez Canal.

With a cast of high and low comedy experts, and what sounds like a hilariously funny idea for its main theme, "Thanks for Everything,” is the second attraction. Having made so many notable contributions to the entertainment of the average man, Darryl F. Zanuck, in charge of production for 20th Cen-tury-Fox, has now focused his camera batteries on Mister Average Man himself, who is, of all things, the central character in “Thanks for Everything.” This Mister Average Man, according to the studio, is selected in a nation-wide contest, brought to New York with all expenses paid and with the expectation that he is to receive a first prize of 25,000 dollars —and is then promptly set upon by a couple of smart promoters, who see in his innocent countenance the shining light of a milliondollar idea. Jack Haley has the role of Mister Average Man, Adolphe Menjou and Jack Oakie are the promoters, while Arleen Whelan, Tony Martin and Binnie Barnes offer . spirited support. William A. Seiler directed.