1938'S 'BROADWAY MELODY.'

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 98, 28 April 1938, Page 8

1938'S 'BROADWAY MELODY.'

1 » MUSIC, COMEDY AXD DANCING. The "Broadway Melody"' films, as one American critic has it. are. in common with the Pyramids and the Grand Canyon of Colorado, an institution. The very mention of the title brings memories oi former triumphs to mind. -And , Auckland will sec '"Broadway Melouj ° : 1938/' a film which is endowed with more than enough talent to emulate it? processors. Its season at St. James' Theatre opens to-morrow. Prime factor of the film is the dancing of Eleanor Powell, and an added attraction is the presence of Robert Taylor » the male lead. Another powerful drawing card is Sophie Tucker, a player who has delighted audiences of two generations. The '-Broadwav Melody" films arc never strong as far as plot is concerned, but then they do not need to be. TW main thing "is the show itself and lU manner of staging. . . The supporting cast is of uniformly nign quality. There is George Murphy ana .Buddy Ebsen, dancing with Miss Powell. Judy Garland, diminutive singing star, ! Raymond Walburn. in some typical coroiedy; Robert Benchlev. who needs no introduction: Robert Wildhack. champ"? suorer, this time sneezinsr: and Billy lr'£ .bert. contributing comedv as a Greet barber. Others are Charlev Grapewin, : Willie Howard and Charles Igor Gorin. i Public expectation will centre on the dancing, singing and chorus numbers ot j this annual offering, and they should no! be disappointed. ' Producer' Jack Cunr I miners has provided this fij >i with eoJonr |ml extravaganza and it appears to lack nothinpr as a musical comedy attraction. j Original music and lyrics are by N ltio Herb Brown, and Arthur Freed. ' .