Will Rogers To Be In "Down to Earth ”

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7064, 25 January 1933, Page 5

Will Rogers To Be In "Down to Earth ”

Will Rogers’ newest comedy', “Down To Earth,” comes to the Palace on Saturday. It is, said to focus all the brilliance that has made him the keenest and most quoted observer in the country today. While in a sense the picture is a continuation of Rogers’ first talkie, “They had to see Paris,” its theme and locale are completely different. The story opens with Rogers as “Pike Peters,” the Oklahoma millionaire, back home again with his family after their Paris jaunt. The stock market is shot to pieces, and Peters is greatly worried, but his wife has an insatiable desire for social honours, and his son aids her in her extravagant spending. Tho failure of a bank forces Peters to apply for a local loan, and, that failing as a result of Mrs Peters’ love of elegance and display, ho goes to Chicago with the same result. How he gets his family down to Earth again forms the basis of the situation. “Down To Earth” is called the most important picture of Rogers’ career. It was written by the author of “They had to see Paris,” Homer Croy, specially to fit the star’s talents.

Irene Rich, who appeared Us Rogers’ wife in his first two talking pictures, again portrays the socially ambitious spouse who brings about most of his hilarious troubles. Matty Kemp, whose work on the first few day's of the production won him a long-term contract, enacts the role of the irresponsible son and Dorothy Jordan that of the boy’s childhood sweetheart who steps aside in favour of her wealthy rival. Theodore Lodi, the Grand Duke “Mike” of the earlier picture,' recreates the role in this new film, and Mary Carlisle plays the part of the spoiled “deb” who sets her cap for young Kemp. Clarenco Wilson, Brandon Hurst, Louiso Macintosh and other noted character players are in the supporting cast. Edwin Burke wrote the screen play and dialogue from Cray’s original story. David Butler directed the production for Fox Films.

George O’Brien experiences a number of “first times” in Zane Grey’s “The Golden West,” his lateeist picture, lie portrays the first dual role of his career and this picture marks the first time he has ever been "killed” in a production. Likewise he wears his first moustache in a talking picture, and further than this, for the initial time in his career he appears in the garb of an Indian Chief. “The Golden West” tells the story of a romance that was halted by a family feud, but which was rekindled in the succeeding generation. O’Brien and Janet Chandler, who portray the leading parts, play' dual roles, a lapse of 20 years separating their romantic adventures.