FAMOUS COMEDIAN

Evening Star, Issue 22248, 28 January 1936, Page 10

FAMOUS COMEDIAN

WILL ROGERS FOR GRAND The rich humanity and shrewd but homely philosophy and humour which made Will Rogers America’s favourite comedian and one of the world’s leading film stars are again abundantly in evidence in his new picture, ‘ Steamboat Round the Bend,’ which opens at the Grand to-morrow. No element of popular entertainment has been overlooked in this colourful story of the Alississippi in the romantic 1880’s. It affords Rogers his greatest comedy opportunities in an amusing feud with Irvin S. Cobb, noted humorist and writer, as rival steamboat captains. And it gives him a chance to display his ability in masterful dramatic acting as he saves the romance of Anne Shirley and John M'Guire from disaster. The story tells of Rogers’s adventures as a steamboat captain on the muddy Mississippi, and his fight to save his innocent nephew from being hanged. Eugene Pallette and Stepin are also in the cast. A giant dam in the course of construction forms the novel background to ‘Hard Rock Harrigan,’ the supporting feature, while the story is well conceived and concludes with a soundlyplanned and logical climax. George O’Brien, celebrated for his characterisation of virile parts, is seen at his best in the leading role. From the start the plot is exciting and the interest is never allowed to flag.