MAKING COMEDIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 January 1940, Page 3

MAKING COMEDIES

IMPORTANCE OF THRILLS. Thrills are as important to screen comedy as mirrors to a beauty parlour, in the opinion of Edward Sedgwick, the director. He contends that suspense and thrills add a needed spice to comedy which not only makes it more humorous, but also engages the closer attention of the audience. Sedgwick, who directed Columbia’s new comedy, "Beware Spooks". (Joe E. Brown) maintains that a good story, enhanced by thrills and suspense, should be the rule in concocting screen comedies. “Once the attention of the audience is captured, its sympathy enlisted, half the battle is won,’ the director explained. "Moreover, when they see the hero extricate himself from seemingly hopeless and tragic situations in a highly comical manner, their relief is demonstrated in explosive Lmghtei. “Beware Spooks” is the story of a somewhat simple policeman, who manages to do the right thing at the wrong time. When he accidentally corners a gangster, the resulting hand-to-hand battle taxes the limits of comedy.