The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-04-21
Promising Pictures Feature Programs OF Local 7heaters
MIDNIGHT OPENS
 ON STATE SCREEN
Ninety Minutes of COn- stant Laughter Offered
 in Paramount Film

A ninety minute picture that will seem only thirty, because of its constant laughter and humor, is Paramount's springtime triumph of love and hilarity, Midnight" open- ing four-day engagement at War ner Bros. State theater this after noon.
 Judged as the happieSt hit of the spring season it brings to the screen a new romantic team composed of Claudette Colbert and Don Ameche. Supporting the two favorites is a star-studded cast that has more fa- nous names in it than any other production of the season. The list is long and spectacular one be- ginning with John Barrymore, and including Francis Lederer, Mary As- tor, Hedda Hopper, Rex O'Malley.
 There is also Elaine Barrie, the vivacious New York school girl who won the heart and hand of the great Barrymore, now making her motion picture debut.
 This is said to be Miss Colbert'S best comedy since her sensational performance in "It Happened One Night" Ameche is also judged as excellent, being seen in a dashing role that fits him perfectly.
 Rapid action, brilliant dialogue and the type of hilarious situations into which Colbert fits with ease, are the chief concerns of the plot. Its central figures are an American gold-digger, a hard-boiled but TO- mantic-minded Paris taxi-driver and a handsome man about town, with a way with the women and mil lions in his bank account.
 Miss Colbert, as the resourceful fortune hunter, Eve Peabody" shuttles rapidly from one amazing situation to another. At all times she has the situation well under control, whether she is crashing lavish ball armed only with pawn ticket, playing bridge for high stakes with only sou in her purse, cutting a figure in society as a countess from country she has never seen.
 Ameche, as a rough-and-ready, sWashbuckling role of a cab-driver with a strong contempt for the "400," and an even stronger con- tempt for Colbert's efforts to crash it, shows what he can do with a romantic lead, which is plenty.
 John Barrymore gives a sensa- tional comedy performance being seen as a Paris businessman, and Francis Lederer portrays playboy victim of Miss Colbert's. The other members of the all-star cast also turn in memorable performances.
 The second big feature will be a cracking thrill-picture, You Can't Get Away With Murder" based on a play by Sing Sings Warden Lewis E. Lawes. Humphrey Bogart is starred, in what is called his most ruthless role, as the gunman who dares the law to catch up with him. Young Billy Halop, always hereto fore the leader of the Dead End" kids is featured with Bogart. This picture is the first in which he has appeared without the other mem- bers of the famous juvenile sextette. Featured in the leading feminine role is Gale Page, seen as the sis ter of young Halop. The comedy angle is handled by Henry Travers.
 Be among those attending the State on Tuesday when Cafe So- ciety" starring Madeline Carroll, Fred MacMurray and Shirley Ross makes its local debut. On the same show will be Sylvia Sydney in "One Third of a Nation" Academy award winner Bette Davis is coming to the State in the very near future in Dark Victory" Watch the news papers for the play date announce ment,