STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 January 1940, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

“THE GORILLA.” Tonight's programme at the State Theatre will be headed by “The Gorilla,” a Ritz Bros.’ comedy. The Ritz Brothers turn detectives and | patrons have the time of their lives j watching these three Hawkshaws I tracking down a weird man-killing | beast in “The Gorilla,” the 20th Cen-tury-Fox screen version of the famous | stage hit. The action takes place in a house that is a maze of sliding panels. The time is something close to midnight—in the midst of a raging thunderstorm. The host, Lionel Atwill, has ,iust received a note from "The Gorilla” threatening him with murder at midnight! Into this scene wander three super-detectives, Harrigan. Mulligan and Garrity—the Ritzes, of course —and from then on anything can happen—and it does! It would be unfair to spoil the fun-and-fright feast that awaits patrons by revealing the story or the developments that ensue when the Ritzes begin stalking the beast, which has been described as “so ugly that when snakes get drunk they see it!” The Ritz Brothers are ably aided and abetted in this merry mystery by Anita Louise, as Atwill’s niece; Patsy Kelly, as the panicky maid-of-all-work; Bela Lugosi, as the slinky butler; Joseph Calleia, as a skulking stranger; Edward Norris, as Anita’s sweetheart; and Wally Vernon, as a roving sailor. Now, go to the State j Theatre and pick it up from there. This hair-raising piece of hilarity is a credit to Production Chief Darryl F. Zanuck, associate producer Harry Joe Brown, Director Allan Dwan and Rian James and. Sid Silvers, who turned the Ralph Spence play into glorious movie material. It is grand entertainment full of laughter.

'The associate feature is “Bank Holiday," a story with a charm and captivation all its own. John Loder and Margaret Lockwood are in the leading roles.

There is an excellent supporting programme.