DE LUXE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 196, 16 May 1936, Page 15

DE LUXE THEATRE

“Colleen” Those talented film stars, Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler, head the revels »n “Colleen.” Warner Bros.’ brilliant new musical comedy, which was introduced to the Wellington public at the De Luxe Theatre yesterday, and at once captured the favour of a well-filled house. Robert Lord has provided a real plot for this sparkling production, which is packed with rollicking comedy, tender romance, and a touch of real drama. Powell is at his best as the harassed manager ot a wealthy but eccentric uncle's business, and he has his hands full endeavouring to straighten out bis love scrapes. Powell and Miss Keeler incidentally go in for some romancing, and are all tied up Ju a score of hilarious entanglements. The mounting is on a scale of lavsh magnifi cence. Two mammoth spectacles are staged, with scores of beautiful chorus girls in each. One takes place, on an ocean liner, and the other in a modiste fhop, in which is presented a gorgeous fashion show The settings are not only unusual, but .exceptionally beautiful, displaying new designs of glass and streamline furniture, as well as the latest mode in gowns. Miss Keeler has a winsome, wistful personality. and she gives an exhibition of exceptional tap-dancing, particularly an interpretive dance, a love lyric without words, which she and that wizard of stage dancing, Paul Draper, do together. The film contains three lilting songs, “You Gotta Know How to Dance,” and “I Don’t Have to Drcam Again,” sung by Dick Powell, and “Boulevardier from the Bronx,” inimitably sung by Jack Oakie and Joan Biondell, who are immense as a pair of gold-diggers. Excellent featurettes and the Orchestra de Luxe, augmented by the Wurlitzer organ, completed a thoroughly satisfying entertainment.