STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 December 1939, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

WAR-TIME DRAMA. Prisoners of war running hazardous risks in their race for freedom. This is the gripping theme of the war drama, "Who Goes Next?” starring Barry K. Barnes and Sophie. Stewart, which will open tonight at the State Theatre. The screen play, which was written by David Evans with additional dialogue by Laurence Green, abounds with touches of humour, pathos and sparkling romance typical of war days. All the excitement and fear of that period is brought vividly to the screen. Combined with the spectacular realism of the air-raids and the death-defying excitement of modern warfare, a human story of men in trouble, danger and laughter, makes this film one of the most entertaining war-time dramas. Barry K. Barnes, playing the leading role of Major Hamilton, a British officer held prisoner with others in a German prison camp, has never been, better. Appealing Sophie Stewart, who co-stars with Barry K. Barnes, handles her faminine side of the eternal triangle with distinction. Heading a brilliant cast of supporting players is Jack Hawkins, who gives his best performance on the screen to date, as thei devil-may-care Captain Beck. Others'who contribute notable performances include Meinhart Maur, who gives a striking portrait of a German Commandant; Andrew Osborne, as an hysterical warscared youth; Charles Eaton, Frank Birch, Roy Findlay and Alastair MacIntyre. By their natural portrayals of their roles, they greatly contribute to the authenticity of the atmosphere. Five British officers, prisoners in a German prison camp are under the leadership of Major Hamilton (Barry K. Barnes) slowly but surely completing a tunnel which will give them a chance of escape. Their fears of detection increase with the advent of an hysterical youth. Flying-Officer Stevens. but finally they succeed in their task. Syd Walker co-stars with Ben Lyon in "I Killed the Count,” which will also be screened at the State Theatre tonight. The picture is based on the very successful London stage play by Alec Coppel, and tells one of the most ingeniously contrived mystery stories the screen has seen—and tells it to the accompaniment of constant chuckles of laughter—by reason of the discomforture of the somewhat bumptious detective inspector in charge of the case. Syd Walker plays the part of Detective Davidson, of New Scotland Yard, and gets every bit of drama and every bit of comedy out of the role. Ben Lyon is one of th? suspects; Athole Stewart as Lord Torrington, and Ronald Shiner as the Cockney liftman, are others suspected of killing the loathsome Count Mattoni, played by Leslie Perrins. Terence de Marr.ey is the young detective straight from the Hendon Police College; Barbara Blair and Dave Burns are also prominent in. important roles.