STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 November 1939, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

“CHARLIE CHAN IN RENO.” Earl Derr Biggers's renowned Oriental detective, Charlie Chan, will be finally seen at the State Theatre tonight. in his cleverest case to date, the murder of a glamour girl in "Charlie Chan in Reno." With Sydney Toler in the role of Chan, the 20th Century-Fox picture features an unusual cast, surrounding the wily sleuth with three of Hollywood’s most beautiful women: Phyllis Brooks. Pauline Moore and Louise Henry. Also in the excellent cast are Ricardo Cortez, Slim Summerville. Kane Richmond. Sen Yung, Eddie Collins, Kay Linaker and Robert Lowery. Summoned from Honolulu by the strange murder in Reno. Chan flies half-way round the world to the playground of lovely women to save one of the loveliest from death. It is definitely Chan's most thrilling and ingenious case and makes fine entertainment. A THRILLING STORY. Marking their eighth co-starring apipearance in a musical film, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers again prove themselves America's number one dancing favourites in their latest vehicle. "The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle,” which will be shown at the State Theatre tomorrow night. Astaire and Rogers, as the top-ranking screen dancers of today, are peculiarly well fitted to impersonate the Castles, and their characterisations are said to be their finest to date. The supporting cast is equally well chosen, with Edna May Oliver as Maggie Sutton, the agent; Walter Brennan as the Castles' faithful servant; Lew Fields playing himself, and Janet Beecher, Etienne Girardot and other noted players in important roles. Among the memorable songs heard in the picture are "By the Light of the Silvery Moon,” “Nights of Gladness,” “Missouri Waltz,” "Darktown Strutters’ Ball,” “Too Much Mustard” and many other tunes of the prewar era, which are either sung or danced to by the two stars, or which form part of the musical setting of the offering. The noted "Castles-by-the-Sea” ballroom and other dancing spots made famous by the Castles are reproduced in the film. Among many other scenes are also included some stirring air shots over the Western Front during the war.