“MELODY RANCH”

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3159, 19 August 1942, Page 5

“MELODY RANCH”

PROGRAMME AT REGENT NIGHT AT EARL CARROLL’S WESTERN AND A MUSICAL Gene Autry, Republic’s phenomenally popular singing Star of the saddle, has something in the nature of a real life role in his first all-star adventure-musical-romance, “ Melody Ranch,” which will show at the Reg-, ent Theatre on Thursday and Friday. In it Gene portrays a • Hollywood radio star who is featured in a western programme—all of which is reminiscent of his own position in real life as the star of the famous “Melody Ranch” radio programme. • The supporting star cast of the screen “Melody Ranch” is headed by lovely Ann Miller, an the leading feminine role. Anne’s glorious dancing and her romancing add much to the entertainment delights of the film, Jimmy “Schnozzle” Durante, is priceless as Gene’s comedy “Cobber” and his clowning with Barbara Allen is a fun treat not to be missed. George “Windy” Hayes is cast as the cantankerous local trolley conductor and little Mary Lee, who will be remembered enthusiastically by Autry admirers for her appearances in the Autry singing westerns, carries off her share of the acting honours in “Melody Ranch.” Film-goers will be given a chance to share in the gaiety and drama enacted at one of the world’s most pretentious night clubs when “A Night at Earl Carroll’s,” shows at the Regent Theatre on Thursday and Friday also. The night club is Earl Carroll’s own famous theatre-restaurant on Sunset Boulevard in the heart of Hollywood. One of the nocturnal playgrounds of the film capital’s great ever since it opened, the smart fun-spot was transformed by Paramount production men into a sound set to provide background for Lynn Starling’s exciting story of Hollywood night life and the crushing of a gang of racketeers. Englamoured by the presence of Hollywood’s one hundred most beautiful showgirls, selected by champion beauty ' picker Earl Carrol himself, and filled with stunning dance numbers and variety acts, the picture offers a stirring comedy climax when Carroll and his show escape from the hands of a kidnap mob trying to ruin the impressario and his friend, the crusading reform Mayor of Hollywood. Beautiful Rose Hobart and 1 wise-cracking Ken Murray handle the romance, and those comedy favourites of the Bob Hope radio show, Brenda and Cobina, make their film debut, as a pail’ of rich girls on a man-hunt. Carroll also makes his film debut in the musical comedy-melodrama, playing himself. “ PARIS CALLING ” FINALLY TO-NIGHT “Paris Calling” will show finally tonight at the Regent Theatre, ,