AMUSEMENTS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 228, 26 September 1941, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS

"KISS THE BOYS GOOD-BYE" EMBASSY Llndy Lou Bethany Mary Martin Lloyd Llovd Don Ameche Dick Rayburn Oscar Levant Owen Abbott Virginia Dale Myra Stanhope Barbara Jo Allen Top Rumson Raymond Walburn Director: Victor Scher'-zi-ieer. Paramount. Par&mount'a film version of the Broadway stage comedy "Kiss the Boys Goodbye," opened a season at the Embassy Theatre yesterday. Here is a musical comedy, produced and timed with all the components necessary for successful and bright entertainment. It is light and arousing comedy. The songs and background music are good and the ca«t is excellent. Unlike many musicals, "Kis6 the Boys Good-bye" has both fast-moving story and numerous humorous lines and situations. The story concerns the efforts of a chorus girl, Mary Martin, to win a part in a Broadway play from the director, Don Ameche. The chance is won after she returns to her native Georgia, puts aside her New York ways for those of the South, and performs for Ameche and Oscar Levant, the composer, who making a tour in search of a new leading lady. She goes to New York and the climax is reached at the home of the backer. After singing for the guests, the Southern discovery reveals the hoax and goea home to Georgia, thinking that Ameche wants the former star, Barbara Allen, to play the part, but he follows her. Mary Martin has her best role to date, being given an opportunity to sing several songs ajid carry a number of the humorous scenes. Don Ameche gives a good, characteristic performance and sings one song. Oscar Levant supplies much of the comedy. Rochester and Connie Boswell each have one number and both are done very well. Good support also given by Virginia Dale, Barbara Jo Allen, Raymond Walburn and Elizabeth Patterson. The fnfyt taction and clever dialogue combine to make the picture one of the brightest screened in Auckland for some time Songs sung in the film include "Kiiss the 1 Good-bye." "Find Yourself a Melody and "Sand in My Shoes." The background music, well above the average is conducted by John' Scott Trotter, of uie Bing Crosby radio show. "Kiss the Boys Good-bye" is a picture to which audiences can be invited with a guarantee of entertainment. The associate programme contaiins entertaining features. These include Gene Krupa and his orchestra, a comedy and a Pop-eye cartoon.