REGENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 December 1939, Page 2

REGENT THEATRE

“GRACIE ALLEN MURDER CASE.” The combination of Gracie Alien’s many talents, a story by the late S. S. Van Dine, and excellent work by a large group of featured players equals one of the best mystery comedies to reach the screen. It is "The Gracie Allen Murder Case,” which will be shown tonight at the Regent Theatre, with Gracie, Warren William, Ellen Drew, Kent Taylor and Judith Barrett in the featured roles. Events leading to the picture’s initial murder get under way when Gracie attends a picnic given by her uncle for his perfume company. Her uncle introduces Gracie to a nice young man in the person of Kent Taylor. Taylor is in love with Ellen Drew, who is also employed by the company, but she has been a little coy about accepting his advances. Meanwhile, Jerome Cowan, operator of a night club, has been called by Benny the “Buzzard” from the vicinity of the picnic. He asks Cowan to pick him up there. Cowan, does, but Judith Barrett, who is in love with the “Buzzard,” overhears the conversation, and follows in her car. When Cowan’s car passes over a bridge beneath which Gracie and Kent are picnicking, a cigarette falls into Grade’s lap and burns a hole in. her dress. Kent notices that the cigarette has a peculiar odour. That night, when Gracie and Kent are dining at Cowan’s night club, Gracie finds the “Buzzard” dead in Cowan’s office. Gracie pins the guilt on Kent inadvertently, and Ellen calls Philo Vance (Warren William) in to solve the case. It’s his toughest assignment for Gracie almost obstructs justice with her hilarious deductions. A splendid array of supporting featurettes complete the programme.