STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 February 1941, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

“THE SAINT TAKES OVER.” With a thrilling .story of mystery and adventure as its basis, R.K.O. Radio's "The Saint Takes Over.” reveals itself as the best of the filmic exploits of the noted Leslie Charteris character. It will be shown tonight al the State Theatre. As in previous offerings, George Sanders plays the suave and debonair "Saint" whose activities baffle both the police and the leading crooks of two continents, while Jonathan Hale again portrays Inspector Fernak of the New York Police Department. and Wendy Barrie a mystery girl. The plot of the new film, which marks the fifth time The Saint has come to the screen, deals with an ingenious “frame-up” contrived to discredit Fernak and end his embarrassing investigation of a criminal ring. The Saint learns the identity of the members of the ring, and with Fernack sets about the difficult task of forcing a confession that will clear the police officer. Unfortunately, a mysterious killer reaches several of the crooks in turn just before The Saint and Fernack can talk to them. Fearing the others will also be slain before they have a chance to restore Fernack’s good name for him, The Saint tries to intercept the killer. How he succeeds, and the dramatic outcome of his efforts j makes "The Saint Takes Over” a thor-, oughly exciting piece of film fare and one that adds new stature to its prin-1 cipal actors. Sanders himself doos brilliantly as the resourceful Robin I Hood, and Hale and Miss Barrie turn I in splendid performances, as do Paul ' Guilfoyle, Morgan Conway. Cyrus W. i Kendall. Robert Keane, Pierre Wat- 1 kin and James Burke. Jack Hively’si adroit direction keeps the production' by Howard Benedict moving at full) speed, and with the clever screen play ! by Lynn Root and Frank Senton, I makes the film a real treat.