The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-01-06
Promising Pictures Feature Programs Of Local 7heaters
DEVILS ISLAND
 TOPS STATE BILL
Little Tough Guys In So- ciety" Also Begins
 This Afternoon

Starting with performances this afternoon, the Warner Bros. State theater brings to the theatergoing public of this vicinity the second combined double feature unit show of the new show season.
 The States big parade of new season hits has just started and ac- cording to advance reports from Manager Julia Smith, 1t will be big ger and better than ever before. Week in and week out, month after month, this popular theater will con- stantly present the best in the way of screen entertainment.
 The new seasons show opening this afternoon for a four day en- gagement is comprised of two out standing productions, Devils Is- land" and Little Tough Guys "In Society,"" either of which could be considered as the headliner of any program, at any theater, at any place.
 Devils Island," a Warner Bros. production, brings to the screen for the first time the inside" story of the French penal island. It is said that no picture before has ever dared reveal the history of "the prison without heart" The revela- tions of the picture are termed as the most sensational of the movie season.
 Starred in the title role of the film is no other than Boris Karlof the man who created the role to top all horror roles, that of Frank enstein's Monster" Ably supporting him are James Stephenson, Adia Kuzenetzoff, Will Stanton, Robert Warwick, Pedro de Cordoba, and Tom Wilson.
 The picture depicts a system of penologly so brutal and so heart- less that it can be compared to the stark drama of Warner Bros. previ- ous success I'm 8 Fugitive from a Chain Gang"
 The story is of course f1ctional, but the background against which 1t is projected is authentic to the last degree.
 Karloff is presented as a highly respectedl honest surgeon who is himself convicted of treason because he has treated the wounds of a con- victed traitor who has escaped from the authorities. Sentenced to Devils Island, he suffers through soul-har- rowing experiences, tries unsuccess- fully to escape, and is about to have his life ended by the guillotine when he Is saved by the intervention of the new minister of justice, who has arrived on the island to investigate the tales of shocking brutalities which have finally perco1ate d through to the home government.
 Most of the excitement and melo- drama in the story are attendant upon the efforts of Karlof and a group of convicts to escape from the island.
 Nedda Harrigan, cast as the com mandant's wife, and 1solla Gour- witch, seen as her daughter, are the only exceptions to an otherwise all- male cast.
 The riotous screen hit, Little Tough Guys Tn Society" brings to the screen that tough bunch of brazen brats the Little Tough Guys with three of the screens favorite com edy stars, Mischa Auer, Mary Bo- land and Edward Everett Horton appearing in the featured roles.
 The kids are on the loose again and just wait until you see them make their mark on the snooty so- cial set.
 Also included in the large cast are Helen Parrish who scored as the "meanie" with Deanna Durbin ir Mad About Music," and Jackie Searle.