Evening star., 1933-11-11
CHAN DRAMA
HAS THRILLS
AND BIG CAST
Columbia Presents
Warner GLAND
in Mystery.

CHARLIE CHAN-commonly identi-
fed as Warner Glands customary
form of expression-has what he calls
his greatest case at the Columbia Thea
ter. AS scourge Of dlettante law
breakers and other passionate persons
he has had many great cases, but 1t
is not to be denied that this one is
solved under great difficulties, and that
the powers of the Oriental mind are
taxed to the utmost in laying bare the
conditions under which q double muir
der was committed. ~
Mr.. GLAND always shines by compare
son with the ordinary pursuers OF guilty
persons. His equipment above the eye
brows is apparently IN constant opera
ton, while the lower portion of his face
is an enigma to criminals, as well as to
those who share with him the desire TO
discover the identities Of offenders. He
has an uncanny way Of finding the rea-
sons for violence, even in the best regu-
lated circles, and when he goes abroad
he always picks up the most innocent
things as evidence. He discovers that,
In fact, no matter how trivial they may
be, they have an exclusive bearing on
SomeNsing that Is very embarrassing to
sever& persons. Then by playing the
members of a group against one an
other. he selects the person who, in fear
and trembling, viii admit that he did
the deed, then tries to escape, but can
law.
In the play on the Columbia screen
he has an uncommonly large collection
81 rry11frI1 fn ehaxU uyf1n
visited the house in which the murders
were committed. One phase Of the case
is a collection Of cigarettes of brand
which is not locally on sale. It seems
as If everybody in the play happened
to be smoking that brand. But the
hunt finally narrows down, and the
mystery is solved.
Back Of it all is life story involving
scenes far apart, and money transac-
tions that called for vengeance. Only
Charlie Chan would have the ability
to dig up these transactions, which are
known In the secret thoughts Of the
persons concerned There Is also a
mysterious trunk which a young traveller
of the family has been instructed TO
drop into the ocean, but which Is stolen
from him in hold-up on liner. 1t
is all thrilling melodrama, and admirers
vi dIbCNbANC tcACo O4AJCJNA Az Nv S~@~ OkS~~@
ing performances.
An added feature of the play is the
production of the whole Chan family,
which requires an extra-size motor car
for transportation. They give new
and intensely domestic tinge to the
story.
Heather Angel, who is appearing this
week at another theater in Washington,
has q more normal role in the Chan
play, but puts characteristic spirit into
her playing, and adds to the interest.
washington theatergoers will be inter-
ested to see John Warburton In the part
of q young member of the family that
Is stricken with violence. 1t is also OF
importance that Robert Warwick and
Walter Byron are in the caste. 1t is
almost an Old-Home week in the thea
ter, with young and old actors of mag
netic influence, including Roger 1mhof,
Ivan Simpson, Virginia Cherrill, Clara
Blandick, and of varying importance
Francis Ford, Frank McGlynn, Claude
King, William Stack, Gloria Roy and
Cornelius Keefe.
The Columbia also offers several
short films.
ID. c. C.