STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 October 1940, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

DOUBLE FEATURE PROGRAMME. Affording him more than his usual amount of hard riding, exciting adventure and two-gun fighting, George O Brien's current western thriller. Prairie Law,” will be shown tonight at the State Theatre. O'Brien is cast as a battling cattleman who, with other loyal ranchers, gets involved in a range feud with a group of nesters. Most of the latter are under the influence of Judge Curry, a crooked land shark, who has established the town of Olympia by selling worthless lots on the promise of a future water supply. O’Brien’s determination to expose the swindler, and the latter’s sinister efforts to run the ranchers out of the country, reach a climax when O'Brien’s uncle is murdered by one of the promoter’s right-hand men, following a raid on the rancher's cattle. But through the conniving of the judge the killer is exonerated after a mock trial. Elected Sheriff. O’Brien and an honest nester, whose pretty daughter is in love with the handsome young rancher, join forces to smash the unlawful ring. There is a thrilling finish to the picture. Contributing outstanding performances in support of O’Brien are Virginia Vale, the leading lady, Dick Hogan, as her wayward brother; J. Farrell MacDonald, as O’Brien’s uncle; Slim Whitaker, as the star’s faithful companion; Cyrus W. Kendall, as the uncle’s murderer, and Paul Everton as the unscrupulous swindler. The associate picture is “Pop Always Pays,” featuring Leon Errol, claimed to be the funniest man on the screen. The picture is full of laughs. The supporting cast includes such well known artists as Marjorie Gateson. Adele Pearce, Tom Kennedy and Walter Catlett. It is a picture well suited to the strenuous conditions today.