The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-04-02

Introducing a review on this note generally would be an indication that the play in question was a pretty sorry spectacle, but I do not wish to convey that impression. True. this melodrama by Mary Haylag Bell of England is nothing that will ring down through the seasons, but I submit that I did enjoy the production and the per- fornances for the most part and, f that be low-hrow, who cares.
 will confess that the presence of Roy Hargrave in the leading role had considerable to do with my snjoyment of the play. This liar grave, on the stage at least, is Q hard egg who could give aces to any of the movie tough guys and get e the electric chair first. After some six years I still remember vsvidly his portrayal of c psycho- pathiC mohster in 'Blind Alley" really fine gangSter play which, to the everlasting shame of Manhat- tan playgoers, did not achieve a great success, Most of the then cur rent critics can take an assist on she apathy toward that one, too.
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 All of which won't sell any tickets for "Men in Shadow" This time zargrave is not playing a gangster, but he is as hard-bitten as ever in the role of the leader of some saboteurs in France, all of them ex- FsAF flyers forced down in German occupied territory. They live in the upper part of an old windmill-and yau con clap hands right here for a most realistic set by Frederick Fox and are aided by some of the French natives in their depredations against the enemy.
 The play opens with Hargrave returning from the rubbing out of Gastapo butcher and carrying a former American flying mate whose plane has been shot down nearby and whose legs have been broken. Having a cripple on their hands presents quite problem to Har- grave and his two aides, who dis cover they have about 24 hours to scram from their hideout because the Germans are moving in their direction and have surveyed the mill for billeting purposes. How ever, they refuse to abandon him and while they the engaged in aid- ing an RAF raid by signaling a bombing objective and in packing to get away they receive another addition, a supposed British flyer who also has been forced down, but is all in one piece. This turns out to be a German who Is trying to get the dope on saboteurs, and his unmarking winds up in a thrilling catcf-as-catch-ca fight between Hargrave and the spy. which ends with the German on the bottom and Hargrave rabbit-punching him in the back of the neck until he tires and puts the Hun out of his misery by twisting his neck so the vertebrae cracks. And don't think you can't hear it crack!
 Well, before things come to an end Hargrave has knifed two Ger man soldiers to death and. all in  all, it Is nice gory evening. The boys get away. temporarily at least, by making a final exit through that high-up trap door in the side of the mill, broken-legged pilot, and all. as the Germans move in below, and there the author leaves them. leaving the audience hoping that there will be a happy ending when the war finally is over.
 Assisting Hargrave in Hun aseckling are Everett Sloane and Rrancis de Sales; Dean Harens is the brolEen-legged pilot (and, incl dentally, the opening scene in which nis shattered legs are set in purimi- i've fashion and without benefit of onIatss is not designed to put you f0 slesp); Ernest Graves is the Ger man 5n RAP clothing who gives HarRFaVe Q workout; Joseph de