Murder in the Air(Warner Bros.) (1940)

‘MURDER IN AIR’ FOR THRILL FANS There has been much speculation about the possibility of a death ray mechanism. It has been the subject of tales on the radio and of comic strips. Warner Bros.’ “Murder in the Air,” which opens at the Strand Theatre on Friday, is an exciting thriller dealing with this instrument’s strange manoeuverings. In this new film, the ray is referred to as “The Inertia Projector,” and when operated by its inventor is capable of stopping an airplane four miles away! Much of the picture’s dynamic action arises from the attempts of sabateurs and espionage agents to steal the plans from America and turn them over to belligerent nations. The exciting film stars Ronald Reagan in another of his splendid characterizations of a young secret service operator, and features Lya Lys, John Litel, James Stephenson and Eddie Foy, Jr. Lewis Seiler directed the Raymond Schrock screen play. Mat 201—30c ACE SECRET SERVICE AGENT battles in a dirigible above the clouds for an exciting scene in Warner Bros.’ ‘Murder in the Air,”’ featuring Ronald Reagan, Lya Lys, John Litel and James Stephenson, which opens next Friday at the Strand Theatre. (Lead) “Murder in the Air’’ Gripping Thriller Espionage Action Film to Be Shown on Strand Screen Friday Intrigue and espionage in a peaceful nation, a fierce battle against the “enemy within”— subjects that have been filling headlines and public interest— offer the theme of the exciting Warner Bros. film coming to the Strand Theatre next Friday, “Murder in the Air.” The timely film is cast with such talented young players as Ronald Reagan and the exotic screen newcomer, Lya Lys, supported by John Litel, James Stephenson and Eddie Foy, Jr. A commentary on a network of foreign secret agents operating in this country, the plot opens on a House investigation committee whose plans to crack an insidious ring have been frustrated. Resourceful young detective Brass Bankroft, played by Ronald Reagan, is put on the case. In a short while Brass picks up the trail of the enemy through the accidental death of one of the agents. Disguised as the dead man, he is taken into the ring by Joe Garvey, James Stephenson’s role, where he learns of plans to steal a startling new discovery from the U. S. military, It“1s'*an* “Inertia... Projector,” which brings to earth SYNOPSIS Joe Garvey (James Stephenson) is suspected of espionage but it seems impossible to get direct evidence. The trail unexpectedly leads to him when a famed spy and saboteur is killed in a train wreck. Secret Service headquarters put Brass Bancroft (Ronald Reagan) and Gabby Watters (Eddie Foy, Jr.) on the case. On orders from his chief (John Litel), Brass takes the spy’s place and goes to meet Garvey. The agent’s wife (Lya hotel Lys) comes to Brass’ and to prevent exposure, Gabby turns her over to federal agents. Garvey orders Brass to board the dirigible, U. S. S. Mason. A discovery is to be tested — the “Inertia Projec tor,”’ which stops airplanes from four miles away. At sea Brass is contacted and told to wreck the dirigible. A storm forces the Mason into the sea. Brass saves the projector, but the blueprints are stolen. Back on land, the projector brings to earth the plane in which Garvey is escaping with the blueprints. planes within a four mile radius. Brass is ordered to board the dirigible U. S. S. Mason as it leaves for a test of the projector. At sea, Brass learns that an official on the dirigible is working with the enemy, trying to steal the invention. This Brass thwarts. He saves the projector, but during a storm which forces the Mason out to sea, the enemy agent escapes with the blueprint. Back on land, the projector brings to earth the plane in which Garvey is escaping with the blueprint. The engrossing original screen play was written by Raymond Schrock and directed by Lewis Seiler. HEADLINES CUE NEW STRAND FILM Almost twenty percent of the stories brought to the screen about contemporary life are lifted right out of the front pages of the nation’s newspapers, according to a survey of Bryan Foy, associate producer of Warner Bros.’ pulse-pounding drama, “Murder in the Air,” which opens at the Strand Theatre next Friday. Ronald Reagan, rising young star, is well equipped to play the role of “Brass” Bankroft, alert young secret service operator. He has played similar roles in other adventure films, but never has he appeared to better advantage than in “Murder in the Air,” for he combines daring with keen insight to the character he is portraying, an ability that has made him one of the most sought-after leading men in Hollywood. The background of the youthful star has a great deal to do with his naturalness and ease before the cameras, for Reagan has always led an outdoor life, and his athletic build places him in good stead as an extremely believeable young agent for Uncle Sam. Also appearing in the film are the glamorous Continental actress, Lya Lys, and such popular players as John Litel, James Stephenson and Eddie Foy, Jr., namesake of the famous vaudeville star. Talented young director Lewis Seiler handled the megaphone. Raymond Schrock wrote the screen play. [6] Spy Thriller on Way to Strand “Murder in the Air,” hailed as one of the year’s most thrilling pictures, is scheduled to open on Friday at the Strand. The new Warner Bros. film stars Ronald Reagan, who apears as Brass Bancroft, the fearless secret service operator who must battle a group of ruthless espionage agents in order to uncover the secrets of a terrifying death ray. The action-drama is timely, for it deals with the attempts of subversive organizations to undermine our American democracy by securing military secrets and turning them over to belligerent nations. In addition to Reagan, the film features Lya Lys, John Litel, James Stephenson and Eddie Foy, Jr. NEW FILM BARES SPIES’ SECRETS Beginning on Friday, the Strand Theatre will present “Murder in the Air,” the new Warner Bros. action drama hailed by critics as one of the most exciting films of the year. Ronald Reagan stars in the role of an alert young secret service operator who must smash a spy ring that has caused federal officials much concern. The story finds many parallels in the daily headlines, for its delineation of subversive activity gnawing at the roots of American democracy is extremely timely. In addition to the popular Reagan, the film features lovely, blonde Lya Lys, the foreign actress who made her American debut in “Confessions of a Nazi Spy,” John Litel, James Stephenson, and Eddie Foy, Jr., Reagan’s humorous side-kick in other popular adventure films. Expose of Enemy Spies In New Film at Strand The Strand Theatre’s next presentation is the Warner Bros. action thriller, “Murder in the Air.” The film, starting next Friday, features Ronald Reagan, Lya Lys, John Litel, James Stephenson and Eddie Foy, Jr., namesake of the famous vaudeville star. The film, which deals with alien spies plotting against our government and the daring work of our secret service agents, has been praised for its timely interest and high quality entertainment. Brass Bancroft Gabby Watters 00. Doctor Finchley George Hayden PRODUCTION Directed by LEWIS SEILER Original Screen Play by Raymond Schrock; Director of Photography, Ted McCord, A. S. C.; Art Director, Stanley Fleisher; Dialogue Director, Harry Seymour; Film Editor, Frank Magee; Gowns by Howard Shoup; Sound by Robert B. Lee. CAST OF CHARACTERS eee RONALD REAGAN SIPS Rie OTE et John Litel Pas err ee James Stephenson ee tear Eddie Foy, Jr. Raa SE meres Robert Warwick RUehe TN Boe 3 Victor Zimmerman NEN Me William Gould SE Be Ce eee Kenneth Harlan eae ee Frank Wilcox Rumford ee apie ly Commander Wayne .............. Pieter Gime oe. John Kramer _ Running Time . . RONALD REAGAN ACE SLEUTH IN ‘MURDER IN AIR’ There’s never a dull moment in the professional life of Ronald Reagan, virile star of Warner Bros.’ “Murder in the Air,” featuring John Litel, Lya Lys, James Stephenson and Eddie Foy, Jr., which opens at the Strand Theatre on Friday. The young player’s roles usually call for the action and vitality he projects. Among Reagan’s roles have been detective parts in the “Secret Service” series, and the fast-talking, faststepping young modern in “Brother Rat,’ “Brother Rat and a Baby” and “Dark Victory.” In “Murder in the Air” Reagan is again cast as a sprightly secret service agent whose resourcefulness helps erack a ring of enemy spies. It’s the sort of part Reagan feels he can do best and which he thoroughly enjoys playing. Although his schoolboy ambition was to act, on graduation Ronald found himself writing a weekly sports column for a local newspaper. This led to a radio job as sports announcer, broadcasting outstanding events for the coast-to-coast networks. It was while covering the Chicago Cubs’ spring training camp at Catalina Island that he came to the attention of Warner Bros. scouts. A screen test led to his Warner contract. Not only has Ronald been pleased with his screen roles, but his leading lady in several of his films, Jane Wyman, so met with his approval that he recently made her Mrs. Reagan. Mat 103—15e Ronald Reagan Lya Lys in New Film Lovely blonde Lya Lys is getting used to appearing as a slinky spy bent on obtaining espionage secrets. The charming actress made her motion picture debut as the friend of the Nazi saboteur in “Confessions Of A Nazi Spy.” She is currently appearing as the leading lady of Warner Bros.’ “Murder in the Air,” in the role of a glamorous spy. Ronald Reagan, John Litel, James Stephenson, and Eddie Foy, Jr., also appear in the thrilling action-drama. Charles Brokaw Helen Lynd . 55 minutes