1936-12-24 — Page 3

Page

THREE STORIES OF CRIME

A Triumphant Novel

FIRST CLASS EFFORT

"Middle Class Murder." By Brace

Hamilton. (Methuen. 78. 6d.)

Where Is Barbara Prentice?" By Miles Barton. (Collins: Crime Club, 78. 6d.)

"Calamity Comes to Fleaton." By Charles Ashton, (Ivor Nichol- son and Watson, 7s. 6d)

Tim Kennedy graduated into homicide from the school of arm- chair murderers." How did it come about that this charming and popular man. the most foarishing dentist in West Shilston, married to a lovely, rich and affectionate woman, ends by killing her? This is the problem of Mr. Hamilton's brilliant and at times genuinely horrifying tale, writes N. B. in a home paper.

All went well with Tim and his wife Esther until the day when sbe was run over by a lorry, sustaining injuries which spoilt her beauty, shattered her physique, | and changed her from a lively. courageous creature into a neuro- tic invalid. Her husband is still outwardly his charming, tender, deferential self: his solicitude for his crippled wife is admired by everyone; but inwardly he begins to hate her-with the hatred of the egotist incapable of real sym- -pathy with the feelings of others,

the horrified disgust which a sen- sitive child feels towards a wound- ed animal

His Own Way

Fredric March, who enacts the title role in Warner Bros. pro- duction of "Anthony Adverse,” the coming New Year attraction at the King's Theatre, was de- clared by the author, Hervey Allen, to look exactly as he had pictured his novel's hero in kis imagination.

REVUE ROLE BANNED

THE CHINA MAIL: THURSDAY:

Amusements

"MORDER BY AN ARISTOCKAT"

---KING'S THEATRE

Cinema Notes From The Theatres

MUŽEMY'S BOYS -

THEATRE

CONSTIPATION ~ENDED FOR EVER

Woman Finds Perma M

Remedy

With perfect frankness

*Murder by an Aristocrat,” a Using an Egyptian locale for First National mystery drama, most of the picture's setting fu-{correspondent, writes:------ based on one of the most popular stead of their customary Ameri- "I have suffered from constipation of Mignon G. Eberhart's baffling can background, Bert Wheeler and gas can remember, and takan sorts of things which is some. murder stories, has Lyle Talbot, Robert Woolsey hit a new comedy cases seemed to do good at first, but Marguerite Churchill and Claire high in "Mummy's Boys," their afterwards to have no effect. Then I Dodd in the leading roles.

latest picture.

thought I would try Kruschen in my

family.

The plot centres about the As a couple of amateur excavate every morning, and 3 have done deaths of two members of the tors who give up their job of diss-say after the first month I had no so for over a year. I am pleased to proud and aristocratic Thatchering ditches in the Bronx. in favour more trouble with constipation, and I

of digging up tombs on the Nile, have felt very fit*-(Kra.) G. M. S. the two Kings of Cachinnation Bruschen is the surest, safest, azed Bayard Thatcher, a part played

have evolved one of the funniest most sensible way to keep your inside by William Davidson, is the first]

regnlar in its most important daily pictures of their screen, career. duty. You will find that your system to meet death. The blacksheep of Their progress is limited up with a never becomes hardened, but always the family who is attempting to

steamship collision, stealthy submits to Krachan's gentle and blackmail his relatives is wounded Orientals and a deep-laid murder friendly power of passion. There mysteriously one night by a bul-

will never be any need to increase the let, and the next day he is found

"day dose." Barbara Pepper supplies the And while Kraschen will be keeping shot through the heart.

heart interest as the daughter of you tree from constipation, it will also Five other members of the one of the scientists in the expedi-[be putting into your body the six family are suspected, as also are tion to the tomb of Pharaoh Phara mineral salts which Nature brains the butler and the maids, although time, and Frank M. Thomas and sential to health

And the result? An, end to all Eldredge, portraying t

Moroni Olsen do excellently as the Life's minor ills and miseries. No District Attorney, a relative, tries two archaeologists. Willie Best, more headaches, tiredness, depression,

John

mystery.

to make out a case of robbery, Mitchell Lewis and Francis Me- costly string of emeralde having Donald head the supporting cast disappeared. Later Gordon Elliot of this hilariously entertaining in the role of Dave Thatcher, im, which Fred Guiol has direct eliminated as a suspect, he being ed in a manner that takes full ad- found dead in the attic of the vantage of its many laugh-provok Thatcher mansion.

ing situations.

"THE 39 STEPS"-STAR

THEATRE

"nerves.”

A GENTUS WITH

THE PEN"

Said To Have Confessed In A Statement

“I STARTED MAKING FORGED NOTES”

When William

of him:

Reynolda, 65-

inst

Lyle Talbot as Dr. Allen Car- rick, is called into the case andị brings a nurse to the house, a part)

This English thriller produced played by Miss Churchill. The

by British Gaumont is the story nurse runs across so many strange} incidents during her night in the of an unusual type of spy drama. home, she confides to Talbot, ber; It is full of unexpected situations fiance, that she belives a murder and is so cleverly devised that it has been committed which the is impossible to foresee the end, year-old clerk, stood in the dock at family is trying to cover up. She/except, of course, that one may be North London Police Court eventually discovers the missing are the here will emerge from month these words were spoken

his tribulations triumphant. jewels and uncovers the murder plot. Claire Dodd as the wife of ceptionally good and is thorough He takes an ordinary piece of Robert Donat in the lead is ex- "He is a genius with the pen. Dave Thatcher, has another sireywell supported by Madeleine role. Joseph Crehan and Florenc Carroll and Lucie Marinheim in paper, such as typing paper, and Fair are two other members of the two leading momen's parts.ed inks, he draws freehand a Bank on it, with Indian ink and colour- the family being blackmailed 1 the first named acting with very of England note." A character representing. Sir Bayard, and John Reith. Director-General of plays the part of Adela Thatcher, Godfrey Tearle, as the sinister for- be B.E.C. the revue "All the

aged spinster head of + A realist story like this stands Wave," was last month banned by family. or falls by the author's skill in the Lord Chamberlain, the Earl of

Stuart Holmes is the butier, and Cromer. making the murderer's state of

"All Wave." was produced by Lottie Williams and Mary Trean mind credible; here Mr. Hamilton succeeds so triumphantly that one Mr. Archie de Bear at the Duke are the two maids, all under sus-

When the picioa feels he could make a reputation of York's Theatre.

Tim Kennedy has always got! his own way. "It was his happy. talent never to have to make him- self unpleasant in the enforcement of his own will” When he falls in love with Alma Shepherd, a

rich widow, he realises that this time he can only get his own way

at the cost of some unpleasantness

by murdering his wife.

Character Resembles Sir John Reith

as a straight novelist. As it is script and description of charac "Middle Class Murder" is first-tes were sent to the Lord Cham- class crime fiction.

7

Straightforward Detection

berlin Mr. de Bear was asked if one part resembling Sir John Reith was intentional

HONG KONG

PENINSULA HOTELS

HONG KONG HOTEL, ESPULSE BAY HOTEL.

& SHANGHAI

ASTOR HOUSE; PALACE HOTEL.

HOTELS,

LIMITED

the Geral Rotul den Wagens Lšta, Pelplag

The very best drink!

"LION BRAND"

LAGER

BEER

ON SALE AT ALL LICENSED

STORES

$330 per dozen pints

OH,

THE JOY OF

LION BEER

"SECOND

TO NONE"

Sole Agents:

Virginis Brissac considerable finish and conviction. The words were spoken by Mr. GILMAN & CO., LTD., Gloucester Arcade,

“TALKING ON TH

ALHAMERA THEATRE

ap-

eign secret service agent, plays Christmas Humphreys, whe as would be expected of him, while peared on behalf of the Bank of Peggy Ashcraft as the crofter's England to prosecute Reynolds on

John forgery charges wife is as sympathetic as Laurie, her husband, is hard and Beynolds. Mr. Humphreys said, dour. The producers are to be bad made a statement which, was contragulated on bringing together a complete confession. He had a number of artistes who 30 com- said:

Ewant to make a clean breast pletely fill the paris illoted to them. I

In the last working so well together that the of everything.. story is welded into one haemon- few months and since my wife our whole.

"POOR LITTLE RICH GIRL"

“ORIENTAL THEATRE

died I had no money and could get no work; so I started making: forged notes.

“I have made all these notes on my own, and save them to shop- keepers myself."

Gene Raymond and Ann Sother "We admitted frankly that it co-star in this piquant 'comedy of Mr. Burton's new novel will ap- peal to all who like sound, straight-was intentional," an assistant of a beautiful Beverly Hills heiress. "We pointed with the temperament. of a pack forward detection, with character Mr. de Bear said. and background subordinated to ut that the characterisation was age of firecrackers, and two ez- the plot. "Where Is Barbara the best possible taste and in gaging young college graduates Shirley Temple comes in a new Prentice?" is another of the in- he friendliest spirit, but the Ces-who decide to hire themselves out Fox hit that is by far and away

"Foolish Enough---* finite mumber of possible varis-sor said 'No!!

companion-adventurer... and the greatest" film she has ever "Any possible resemblances to bodyguard respectively. tions on the Disappearing Body

made. "The Poor Little Rich Beynolds-appeared on remand, theme.

Sir John have now been removed

Girl" flashes across the screen a charged with having in his pos- The girl engages Raymond to Barbara, a malicious, gossiping and Mr. Carl Bernard, who is to woman, leaves her husband's house play the part, will look like him-pose as an obnoxious French count blaze of melody, "langhter and rosession a forged žinote and

forged 10%. note." He a far after her hand, and to insult bermance one day: a piece of her fur coat self.".

Here is Shirley in all her glory ther charged with forging and father to such an extent that the in a song-filled laugh-lader stor uttering a £5 note and a £1 note. man with whom she fancies she

that is one of the crowning cizem Mr. Humphreys called the £5

is found on the buffers of an en-

kine and her handbag turns up in MOTHER-IN-LAW

a pile of sleepers beside the ral-l way line. But where is Barbara?İ Our old friends, Inspector Arnold

and Desmond Merrion, have taken

on one of their toughest cases," it is so difficult to put your finger on

the murderer when you can't find the victim.

OFFERS HELP

as

Tel. 30986.

ST. FRANCIS HOTEL

XMAS TIFFIN

Chicken Cream Soup Smoked Salmon Flik & Butter Samer Grilled Beef Steak i Onion

FutQuail (ou Passt es pres

Przná Chury & Kión de tren Boded York Ham & Champagne Same. Boss: Turkey & Granberry Saner

Cold Roast. Sadila at Lamb.

Mint-Sauce

Cold Asparagus & Mazoezalna Sauco

Mixed Salad French Benz #Boiled Potati

Christanas Cake

is in love, and of whom her father achievements of this or any other note "an impudent and dangerous Christmas Pudding & Brandy See

BOT.

Will Sell Ring To Raise Bail

year.

forgery..

13-1

violently disapproves, will look like an excellent catch in compari-)

Five melodious new song, hits Reynolds, he said, had lived · îm At the same time, the father

are featured in the production: a room in Bryantwood-road. hires the other boy as a secret The numbers, all written by those lington. On July 31 be handed a bodyguard to his daughter in or famous Hollywood song." writer forged £ note to Miss Alice My- der to prevent her eloping Merr Mack Gordon and Harry Revel, hill, who had a shop in Grove An elderly woman offered at mix-ups follow, for neither of the are "When I'm With You," "But road, Holloway. The detectives do rather too Uxbridge last month, to sell her two college pake knows what thDefinitely" "You're Gotta Eat On August 1 be was foolish mach premature theorising on an wedding ring to stand bail for her other's job is; and, similarly, aeYour. Spinach, baby," "Oh, My mough to pay a forged so note to

ther father nor daughter realizes Goodness" and "Military Man." inadequate supply of facts. But son-in-law.

| Mr. Arthar Livermore, of- Bez-] Mr. Burton trails & pretty herring,

The man. James Allan Mac-what the other one is up to.

In "Poor Little Rich Girl Shir well-road, Holloway, at whose shop and his solution is excellent. Donald, aged 29, tter, was The production also features ley is zupported by an exceptional bestually had an account for

|charged with attempting to set Henry Stephenson and Jess

fire to a house in Brandville-rord, Ralph, as well as George Andre Stuart. Jack Haley and Michael.

cast including Alice Faye, Gloria groceries. West Drayton, where he lived. Benanger, George Meeker Whalem

He was said to have set fire to Charles Coleman.

Death Of A J. P.

Mr. Ashton, whose "Murder in Make-up" many crime fans will re member, investigates the murder

a window zad à table. ⠀

MAJESTIC THEATRE

of a J.P. in the seaside village of MacDonald said: "I was half"THE LAW IN HER HANDS"— Flenton Mr. Caswell's body is mad with imaginary jealousy, and found in his garage,, killed by the between that and drink I was not Lames of carbon monoxide; it responsible for my" "actions."

"The Law In Her Hands,"

ought to be accident, but Major, He was committed for trial at First National comedy drama Atherley-who is down at Flenton the Old Bailey... Bail was allow combining hilarious laughter and on holiday discovers that Cased, his mother-in-law acting as dramatic thrills, has a talented well's

car lacks sparking-plugs. surety in £25 and himself in Caswell is by no means a popular similar amount man, and he has been fiving a rather unsavoury secret life so there are plenty of suspects to choose from,

I picked out the murderer early

on, but the slip by which he imally ves-himself away is ver Deatly thought out "Calamity Comes to Flenton" is relieved by some light-hearted humper, deft characterisation, and ag erial zusźch or two. Taga

OR WAS IT?

..

"PERFECT" FILM VOICES

Expert Chooses Only Four People

Only four film sam bare per- fect voices for the talkies, accord ing to Mr. John Lávadary, who Hin charge of the sound-ra jat one of the bigzest star

HollywoodLy

The four. saYS"E sage, are", Bing Crosby, at Tottenham Police Powell, Clive Brod won

st: It was a lucky day the day| Arthur

"your husband decided

each other. Now wheele

The

have all the

what (range,” Mr. Livadary

the date!: Wile: Last Fädky, ["withfi thirteenth"

Under A Lan

DOCTORS HAVE TO in some quantity in the neigh-

WAIT People Slow In Paying Bills

The police kept watch for the man who was passing the notes

[bourhood," "and on November 17 they saw Beynolds in Gillespie- road, Highbury.

He took a 10s, or £1 note out of his pocket and examined it under a lamp before going into a shop.

Case

STRA

a cast headed by Margaret Lindasy. In a diocesan letter issued re-He was arrested; and on him, Clends Farrell, Warren Hull and cently, the Bishop of Rochester were found a forged £1 note, a Lyle Talbot,

urges people to pay their debts forged 10s. note, three fronts and The plot is said to move with promptly.

the back of £1 notes--showing

the rapid fire action from the first se- Evidence has reached him, he that quence when a bomb is dropper 88ys, of the "strain and hardship" where the two sides were in a restaurant by a racketeer in inflicted upon doctors and separately and afterwards the demoment in which the bus tradespeople by the failure of pec- put together the front of a 10s. gengster is convicted of poisoning ple to do so

pae made

note, and some pieces of white

mile for babies and killing wit- I am quite sure that in a large paper

to cover up his tracks. - The final court trial is si

number (afs esses this is dus” toj The remarkable part about this carelessness. declare the Bishop.series is that there is no elaborate ly sensational, a wonka lay But caroloaneswhich raunes poms and no elaborata priating

suffering should be, scrupulozały |svolded-by-muz: Curistien zIKA OF

Humphro

Fruit & Nuts Ten är Coleo, PRICE $2.00

INDIVIDUAL

CHRISTMAS

CARDS

XHAS FINMER

Fruit Cocktail Ox-tall Soup

Holled Fish & Ezz Brace Lamb Cutlet & Greet Peas Fried Figoon on fogat, Baiki Tock Ham & Champagne Sans | Boost Turkey -& Granberry Sane

Cold Asparagus & Mayonnaise Sauce

Steared Oslon

Fruit & Nuts

PRICE $22

Don't send just inother Christmas Card! People

at home will appreciate an artistic eard expressing

the atmosphere of the Colony, We also prepare designs to

own individual wishes. We

cabinets

ETD