1957-05-02 — Page 41

THE "CHINA MAIL, THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1957.

JAMES MASON FINDS

A NEW

CLUE

THE inspector as good as told me I was suspect number one," James

"THE non cfts his fellow stars, Joan Collins, Pet Owens, Michael Rennie and Stephen Boyd. They are discussing the murder on the set at Elstree, during the filming of Island in the Sun of Joseph Rapperley, crooked private inquiry agent who had bribed his way into the studio after being refused admission.

The stars are waiting to meet four visitors, who are being conducted round the studio by joy Raymond.

One of them--Mrs Harriet Mackintosh, an American tourist had discovered

the body, "I belleve it war one of them," says Mason,

"But James, it was someone working on the set," says Pat Owens, "I heard Rapperley talking to the person who killed him, and he said so.

OWENS

held

Peard it because

one shapely leg: up

"I

1 was wearing these lace-up shoes, and as I was walking past Stage One I saw that

one

lace was undone. I

"For this occasion only, I am transforming myself into James

stopped to do it up, and we're suspected or not, I don't Heard voices. It's an awful mind admitting that my human old corny thing to have curiosity is aroused.

but happened, I know, that's the way it was. Then I WAB ao fascinated by Mason what they were saying that I stayed a minute BO, listening.

or

"The scenie doors were half open, and two people

were

talking behind them, out of my sight. From the conversation. one of them must have been Rapperley. The other voice was a man's, I couldn't say more than that"

recognise

"You wouldn't again?" Michael Rennle asked.

IL

A trug-to-life murder mystery set in Elstree. The background is the actual shooting of an

film (Island in the Sun); now awaiting release.

KMacmgit

~ Mr. Mason," Metelle said “forgive ṛul direct question, but are you represented

London Express Seroton by public relations councilar | "

by JULIAN SYMONS

again tomorrow? I've turned to Stephen Boyd, and Mason really enjoyed myself

found himself face to relations face with the public consultant, Alvin Melville.

Private Investigator. down Anyone who likes to do a little detection in my company is welcome."

Siren wanted

"Very pleased to have you," Joy Raymond said a little flat- İy. “All of you, if you're free." Offer declined

"Sounds Itke fun," Joan Louis Goltz, the South Africna Collins murmured. "Would you diamond merchant, shook his be in need of a siren to inter- head. "I have shopping to do, view one of those muscle-bound people to see. But thank you Raymond Chandler characters? just the same. It has been most I should like that"

instructive."

"Mr Mason.” Melville sald, "forgive this direct question, but are you represented by a public relations counsellor?"

"I'm not sure I do forgive it. But the answer is that I get 'all the personal publlelty I need More than enough, in fact."

"Exactly. Just what I mean. Mason,"

counsellor's Mackintosh. A public relations

job can be to keep you out of

the

the autograph

"Hene comes Mr "I'm serious, Joan. There are

Harrie there questions we ought to breathed answer. First, why did Rapper "Oh, Mr Mason, could you—" "I don't think so. They were tey come down here? Knowing

Mason took behind the door, ne I say, and the kind of man he was, I couldn't hear every word. This obvious reason is that it was for book and wrote in it: is what did hear. First the some kind of blackmail, but the

"The trouble with other man

'You're wrong. conversation Pat heard suggests

Mason I sell

Then Rapperley; that may be wrong. Second, the Don't be a fool. The idea of nepeelors says there Woo a thinking you could trick me struggle behind the scenie doors. with that make-up. What part

"Probably Rapperley was are you playing, anyway? I had a hunch

about coming down killed there. Why did his killer here, and I was right, Then try to hide him behind the back- there was some stuff

I couldn't

was drop? Third, assuming and

sald the killer who burgled the Prope Rapperley

you.

ay 'My terms are fly- Department, what was he try- "le. It is a deal?

and I think that's reasoning to find? In spite of what That's all Pot overheard I still have ren- was sons for thinking that the killer I heard. By that time Koting

erick in my back with was a visitor to the studio."

I'd bending over, and thought better get up, I woя

"Reasons, tempted

of course, which to go inside the scenic doors or cannot be explained to us poor She ignorant creatures until the last to the set, but I didn't,"

moment," Pal Owens said. "Just as well, gulped slightly. or I might have been murdered

"Of course. And now let's go Loo."

over to Stage Eight and meet those visitors. Listen to their volety. Pat, you might recognise

Lot-out

to

"The stuff about the make up. and Rapperley asking what part he was playing seems clinch " Joan Collins said that it couldn't have "except

have been a big part, or he'd known who it was. That seems to let all of us out,"

"An extra?"

Stephen Boyd said tentatively. "But we aren't using any today."

"What time did this happen?" asked Michael Rennie.

"At about a quarter past two.

du

you

one." Mason's smile was Infee- tiously boyish. "Do you know, I'm beginning to enjoy myself."

Nineteenth hole

the papers as much as in there

smile About Melville's was something furtive. think anybody in the public eye Mr James can afford to be without an

adviser. Take

Joan Collins and Pat Owens here. Real bobby- Is that when he's got his acting dazzlers, both of them. But

face on

they still need publicity. All God's children need publicity. Mr Mason, and they need it! handled right."

He often looks about to shout,

scream, roar or bellow

Whereas really (so the people who know him best say) he's a reasonably even-tempered fellow."

"Why, Mr Mason, thot's elever," Mrs Mackintosh cried,

"Namo's Joseph Baker,” tha

was Yorkshiremun

moke

"Mr Melville," Mason said. let me give you a

word of advice. You're American, Isn't

that so?"

"American born and bred, My

they're "Mr Mason,

saying something terrible has happened Is that at the studio today, true?"

NEXT

The troll hade tack to the girl with a stammer.

Η

TO DETER

THE RUSSIANS CHARANTIED, TO ANNINILATE PLACES

ŽO TIME BINGER /

KHAN BRITALN

Cummings

STUPENDOUS, MY SANDYS! BUT IF ONLY WE HAD SOMETHING

NASSER !

то

DETER

COLONEL

Billy Graham takes

on the sinful city

New York. DVANCE notices read:

A "Can Evangelist Billy

Graham beat the Devil out of New York?"

This is regarded as

a

first visit this side of the water." sinful city, and there have been some terrible crimes

He

lately, particularly sex mur- ders, with sections Brooklyn terrorised.

He may not make a dent

in New York but he's ready to have

of

a go

★ DON IDDON'S

York was

DIARY

soying to Not done Joan Collins, "Call me Joe. Now you tell me something Miss Collins. I've been around "There are some things this place all day and I don't don't do over here--and in my they're not much reckon I've seen more than five experience

Mr Billy Graham, the minutes of Aim

In being shot, done

the

either. Stater Seems to me you film actors and Making an approach like yours blond, 38-year-ol. evange

looks older list actresses

now, money is one of them." your pretty easy."

his brow furrowed, his Mason nodded curtly, felt in

telis and sad, "That kind of the talle just his pocket for a cigarette, and eyes tired

"My friends said that at, to be stared at every incapable for this respon makes me mad. Do you know remembered that he had left a why he regarda New York

the where one goes... Never sibility.. what time I was on the set this packet in his car outside.

chal- New his greatest morning? Eight o'clock, for stepped into the old night air

one that he graveyard of evangelists, to go to a restaurant with- lenge. make-up. Where were you at and walked over to the car."

answer in his I told them that this was out being looked at. plans to There were only seven stages eight o'clock, Mr Baker?

A voice sich "Mr Mason,"

we of the reasone latest "Crusade for Christ." in the studios. Stage Eight was

"That is one of the rea- "Isn't that Mr Mason?"

planned to go. the players' name for their local, Beauty sleep

sons why I left England not "I have been concerned which is next door to Stage

He swung round. A girl came "Getting my beauty

"New York is big and to return for at least two Seven, and it was here that Joy Joe Baker roared with laughter. out from the shadows by the about New York for years.

I felt that Raymond shepherded her four

side of the pub. She wore a Two years ago the Churches sophisticated and cold. Its years, because distinguished "No offence, ducks,"

crime to conduct

rate is high, its there was too much of Billy now all at Last under

With her autograph mission

church attendance is low. Graham. I wanted the dis achieved, Mrs Mackintosh had

If ever a community needed cussion

be around a religious revival it is New Christ." York.

more - or - less visitora, her wing

"I swear, I've never got my

think of it, sald Joseph Baker,

the York- manufacturer.

myself

I told the inspector about it. self so muddled in all my life," What

woollen shire James?"

I found know, here in another film "What's that?" Mason shook somewher himself as though he were together among a lot of Araba coming out of a dream. "It's all chanting about Allah. Don't very interesting. And valuable. look so worried, lass, I didn't But that I don't think it nced mean

come to any harm. exactly what you suggest, but I was the reason why I missed all may be wrong. And whether your shenanigans. Could I come

TEACHERS

sleep,"

white mackintosh. She was hat- less, and her fair hair gleamed in the lamplight,

asked crusade.

me

Robot Rules The Rails

TT

RADIUSCITOYEN

ADER

2

one

"There were 141,979

་

to

Different man

operator on duty, refuses to where alx lines were simultane and out through several dozen lisers in their mouths to try over London. a MUST for your bookshelf and gently warns him not to ously handled by a mammoth as two trains, were seen speed- their hearts,"

THE

GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS

enables you to answer your pupils' questions

Obtainable only at

SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST LTD.

HONGKONG" & "KOWLOON

- $9.50

automatic

"But New York may de- clare for Christ, and what starts here could sweep the country."

On holiday AMERICANS are sick of Suez, tired of politics, and apparently they propose to prolong the Easter Parade indefinitely.

There have been more than 1,000,000

anct men, women,

too much.

volving a daily average of Y means of electric impulses opened and the two trains were defend the Gospel. My job advertising: "America's sen-

miles of rails of six differ- station's automatic switch room, away," the officialfore they God apply to individumi Dazzling array of Gospel feel that here is a good op

major crimes in New York MR GRAHAM has rented children parading on Fitth last year.

1 modest pent-house Avenue every day this week; ali "Big business has its suite in a mid-town hotel. America is on holiday.

President Eisenhower, is no longer man who ent lines to Milan, Verona, ing red light that he ought to shady dealings. There are He receives £5,000 a year course, is on holiday too. This

that time amali vices too. Often it salary. The money Florence be more careful." checks on the efficiency Venice, Pistoia,

links in Georgia. golf MASTER OF BALD ROUTINE appears an unfriendly city, each crusade brings in goes tho is spending 12 days on This latest vacation brings his of the machine. In Bologna's and Ancona.

absences from the White House, railway station, most auto-

Traffic in the rush hours look-There's too much thinking into the next crusade. Italian railway experts say

The Billy Graham of to alnoe he was inaugurated on matic in the world, it is the automation is already used on

ed like a nightmare to newsmen about self and too little machine which checks on single lines in the United States, examining a huge map of the about others in a big city, day differs from the Billy January 20, to 30 days.

"Millions stuff tranquil Graham who cast a spell and the public is not grumbling More holidays are planned the accuracy of the only but proudly plont out that station, where dozens of trains Bologna was the first station signalled they were moving in

drown the misery in coloured lights. Visitors gasped to

It merely asks:

If this 10th carry out any wrong orders

He deplores the hawking what doctora ordered why apparatus

Mr Graham rubs his eyes of Billy Graham buttons, was the prescription not released do it again.

which foreign railway experts ng toward a head-on crash-at least on the map-but when they It is the first time auto have already asked to study on were just a few inches apart (a as he talks. He talks with which was done in England before the election?.

the spot.

few hundred yards in reality) almost ferocious conviction, by a private firm without President Elsenhower is ex- pected to lavite Sir Anthony and mation has been fully ex-

automatic brain relayed He says: "I'm a pro his permission. ploited to

Exten for a week-end at handle really Experts say each train "knocks the

Impulses, a switch claimer. My job is not to

Gettysburg farm when Bir He recolls from strident his heavy railway traffic, in- at the door of Hologna station some fast

Anthony is fit enough to travel. isa diverted to parallel lines.

His letter to Sir Anthony switched on by the locomotive

ase the operator falts is simply to proclaim the sational young evangelist in hospital in Boston bave been "In more than 600 trains on 50 wheels and relayed to the

said, "trains Gospel and let the spirit of Mammoth Crusade... most warm and cordial. would be slopped operator where the

on duty

President Elsenhower's friends rallyard, but of -pushes a button to signal the entered the

train in.

talent." that simple course this would never happen hearts.

portunity for the two to make dreadfux smoothly, with the train spoed- placed by a another man. In 12,000,000 people spiritual- human gesture, everything goes as the operator would be re- "To touch a city of

up completely after the disagreement ove

‚over - Sliëz' and ing through the jungle

the harsh rebukes which he de switches, which aro

statico

by cancelling all where 50 percent of the Madison Square Garden. Hvered to Bir Anthony on the automatically, seconds before

other people attend no church." train rolla in and closed just

schedules and stopping after the last coach has passed. trains at will.

It took three years to convert Automation leads trains to Bologna station to automation, stop at a certain point along the Traffic is now much faster than station platforme, and flags them last year, when

POCKET CARTOON

by OSBERT LANCASTER

# Do you, remember, saying

**Sure, the Middle Bau's fist the same as the Middle Wast only further sant????

After

con

!

He says: "There will be

of some cases the operator opened lead a train in or out of they is tremendous, especially no emotional outbursts in

Best hope

Transatlande telephone, a "When I give the invita A royal visit to Americo this tion to the people to receive autumn after a stay in Canada Christ it will be so quiet you in a certainty.

hundreds of MR GRAHAM doubts that can hear a pin drop. It will Doesn't care

Sarrymore booke, Too Much There will be a 1,500- Too Soon, Hollywood Hás gat

off again on schedule, Hundreds 'phone calls to suburban stations he will make the same be as reverent and holy a of switch-meRİ were employed and check points were needed to impact on New York as he moment as you would have QUINCE my review of Diana before automation took over control the trame, and hundreds did on London. Ho says: in any church.” with an efficiency eliminating of men were on duty to switch every possible human mistake. trains, move lovers or turn red "Our type of crusade may

Nowamen visiting the large end, green lights on and off. not make a dent in New voice choir, 600 ushers, 500 mad, Hollywood Reporter switch 'room whore only one #Traveller aboard the trains York. I think the greatest lay evangelista and

industry perronage operator is how nooded wonder- still do not know that their safely thing that will be accom- ministerial advisers, as Mr has deliberately and "unblush- operator tainted or misapplied impulses, to which a prompt plished is that possibly the Graham merges Broadway, ingly done the best job ever of the complicated machinery. swer is flashed back automati- entire city will briefly be big business, and religion to deglamorizing

and disillusioning thepublle bu “All visitors think of a poesi- cally" Bologna station experts come God-conscious."

beat the Devil out of Now about Ite theatrical and movie ble humma mistake," an official said. "But they are now unfer

ed what would happen if the depends upon

electric

The

GO mys: WAR

sald "But automation in some than before, although no Mr Graham has hired York. thing which does not allow men, necident has been reported here Madison Square Garden for For the past ten weeks

500 laymen have been to make blunders Our automatic since the last war. But the six weeks, d switch apparatus would not paly safety which was once ensured. In some ways he is a shy counsellor training.

to carry out wrong through, human efforts far, now order, but would do warn the wines cheaper and sure man. He explains: It is Mr. Graham's first operator by means of a dicker.

United Press, lembarre ng to be looked ‘are;'

idols.

show business

It is the profosion that will

the biggest black eye."

Mi Barrymore, with her, book climbing the best-weller z and the Alm/rights" (totalling 1250,000 do not okre,