COSY THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 January 1940, Page 2

COSY THEATRE

"STAR OF THE CIRCUS.” Some good, names head the cast of "Star of the Circus,” which will be shown tonight at the Cosy Theatre in Otto Kruger and Gertrude Michael; that of John Clements will not be quite so well known, but he merits his inclusion in the big type. This story concerns that bespangled life of the circus and music-hall that appears so glamorous to the audience and which to the performers, is just the hardest work in the world. Otto Kruger is a villain for once, and is very convincing too. His villainy includes causing his rival to fall from a tight-rope in order to win the girl, played by Gertrude Michael, who enlists sympathy throughout a difficult role. Young newcomer, John Clements, is worth watching as the wire-walker who adopts another man’s identity and makes good. This is a very sincere performance. The smaller parts display a great amount of real entertainment — particularly Gene Sheldon’s wisecracking stage manager, who nonchalantly pours hundreds of paper flowers from his sleeves on his chief’s desk. Barbara Blair does some fine teamwork with the sprightly Gene. Another masterly study comes from a clown who, off stage, reads the higher philosophies and detests being laughed at. This film has something new to say on the well-worn theme of the circus and its people and is well worth seeing.

The other feature is “The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse,” starring E. G. Robinson, Claire Trevor, Humphrey Bogart, Allen Jenkins, Gale Page and Donald Crisp. It is an amazing crime story. Dr. Clitterhouse practises medicine by day and crime by night; he plays with death and laughs at killers. It is a thrilling picture.