STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 February 1940, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

“THE MIND OF MR REEDER." Tonight there will bo shown at the State Theatre a double programme, "The Mind of Mr Reeder” and “Frontier Marshal.” Although Edgar Wallace wrote an eminently successful series of detective stories in which the central character was a lovable old gentleman, J. G. Reeder by name, none of these has previously been filmed. This omission has now been made good, and G-B-D are releasing the “The Mind of Mr Reeder,” which will be the second feature on the programme. Will Fyffe, in the title role, has the support of Kay Walsh as his pretty little secretary, George Curzon, John Warwick and Chili Bouchier, and a cast of well-known names and experienced players. As it is to be anticipated with an Edgar Wallace story of Scotland Yard, the narrative deals with murder, counterfeiters, and general gang warfare, with Mr Reeder all the time, of course, sipping hot milk in front of the fire each night, rounding up a gang of international forgers, and eventually settling scores with the murderer of his young colleague. All who are looking for a blend of thrilling detective drama and human comedy can be recommended to see the picture —the combination of Edgar Wallace and Will Fyffe ensures that the popular taste is well catered for.

Tonight the thrills of a lifetime await patrons at the State Theatre, where the 20th Century-Fox production, “Frontier Marshall,” will be I screened. Randolph Scott is at his best in the title role of Wyatt Earp, the gun-fighting marshal, whose exploits tamed the wildest town in the dangerous West of old, Tombstone, Arizona. Nancy Kelly has never been more effective than in the role of the woman who followed the man she loved into this dangerous spot to save him. From the moment Earp walks into Tombstone and finds Indian Charlie shooting up the Bella Union dance hall, rival to Ben Carter's (John Carradine’s) Palace of Pleasure, there isn’t a dull moment for anyone! Earp’s iron courage and quick shooting win him the job of marshal —and the enmity of the villainous Carter, who is mixed up in secret outlaw activities, and who has Earp badly beaten up by his gang. Earp comes back and gets his revenge, however, in one of the most exciting man-to-man battles in screen history. Doc Holliday (Cesar Romero), elegant gambler, deadly killer and most feared man in Tombstone; befriends Earp. The arrival of Holliday’s sweetheart from the East (Nancy Kelly) is hotly resented by Jerry (Binnie Barnes), volcanic dance hall queen who also loves him, and a bitter rivalry develops between the two women. “Frontier Marshal” is one of the finest dramas of the West to come io the screen in years.