ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 212, 6 August 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. “THE PROUD VALLEY.” Paul Robeson, world’s greatest actorsinger, is back on the screen again, after an absence of two years, in "The Proud Valley,” a magnificent human drama, specially written for his unique singing and dramatic talents. “The Proud Vailey” is a story of the mining districts of Wales, and the Sydney Alorning Ilorald, in reviewing tho film, said : “Paul Robeson, as a Welsh miner, surpasess any of his previous screen appearances.” Great praiso when ono remembers Robeson’s sterling performances in “Show Boat“ and “Sanders of tho River,” but novcrlheless praiso well merited. For Robeson is really delightful in “The Proud Valley.” Continuing, tho Herald adds: “This film is much more than a vehicle for Robeson’s incomparable bass voice; it is a gripping document of life in tho real country.’” Most of us have seen Paul Robeson on the screen, and who has net revelled in the magnificent voice of this Samson of Song, per medium of the radio, but how many of us know that the same Paul Robeson is a University graduate and a Bachelor of Law and Arts.

KOSY THEATRE. ' ‘KENTUCIv Y AIOONSIIINR ’ ’ Some absent-minded custodian left Iho asylum .door open yesterday and three upper classmen graduated with degrees of bughousc-cum-la'udc-and-funnier. Which is only an inadequate way of trying to explain what lakes place at the Kosy Theafrc when the Ritz Brothers bring “Kentucky Aloonshino” to an hysterical audiencc._ And aside from all the mad antics, tho picture contains three new songs by the same team which made the college picture a tuneful sensation. Law Pollack and Sidney Mitchell wrote “Aloonshino Over Kentucky,” “Reuben, Reuben, I’ve Been Swingin’,” and “Sing a Song of Harvest.” To make sure these melodies aro properly sung, producer Darryl F. Zatuiek has placed the vocalisation in the capable throats of popular Tony Alartin and Marvellous Marjorie Weaver —the romantic interest of the otherwise mad movie. Never for one moment havo wo doubted the brilliance of tho charming, versatile Jessie Alatthows. but wo did feel that she hasn’t been given Iho “breaks,” of late, that she received in such epic-musicals as “Evergreen” and “First a Girl.’’ But now, at last, Gaimiont-British has given her a script that does full justice to the lustrous Jessie’s many talents—and produced a novel, sparkling, exciting musical under the title of “Sparkles.” ' Tho story sets a now standard for screen musicals, and when we tell you that Jessie sings, dances (as never before), and acts in a role packed with delightful comedy and tense dramatic action, it i« needless lo say that “Sparkles” is an ideal entertainment.