STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 May 1941, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

“THE CHINESE BUNGALOW.” The change of programme at the State Theatre tonight is headed by the film version of Matheson Lang's amazingly successful play, “The Chinese Bungalow.” The plot is of a skilful and intriguing nature and the acting of such a high standard that there has been produced a picture which holds the interest from start to finish. -Paul Lukas, who has given many brilliant portrayals, adds another fine characterisation to his career with his performance in “The Chinese Bungalow.” Supporting Lukas is a fine cast, including Jane Baxter, Robert Douglas, Kay Walsh and Wallace Douglas. The story skilfully depicts the consequences of the marriage between a wealthy Chinese, Yuan Sing (Paul Lucas),and a young English cabaret singer Sadie (Kay Walsh). This dramatic plot gives an interesting glimpse into the oriental outlook on marriage, tradition and custom. The young wife, bored with life in her opulently furnished bungalow, falls in love with a young English planter, Harold Marquess (Wallace Douglas), and her husband, discovering the liaison, murders him. Meanwhile, Sadie’s sister, Charlotte (Jane Baxter), is visiting the Bungalow and Yuan has fallen in love with her. He demands that she marry him or else he will revenge himself on Sadie. A breathless dramatic climax is reached when the two men face each other over drinks, one of which is poisoned, to decidetheir fate, in a great ending to a wellacted story.