Spectacular Scenes in “Wonder Bar” Production

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 273, 21 November 1934, Page 5

Spectacular Scenes in “Wonder Bar” Production

DESCRIBED AS “STUPENDOUS SPECTACLE" TYPE OF PICTURE (Regent: Screening To-day.) In making the “stupendous spectacle’ ’ type of picture, it must be conceded that Hollywood pro- < ducers know their job. In making “Wonder Bar," a Paris musicale, Warner Brothers-First National have made several scenes of which “stupendous spectacle" now becomes an almost inadequate description. The cleverness and ingenuity of a battalion of experts must have been concentrated in the production of these scenes, which are the most notable features of a remarkably entertaining film. Spectacular ballets, clever and snappy dancing, tuneful song numbers, an excellent plot, and polished acting combine to make “Wonder Bar,” exhilarating musical parade, a picture intensely interesting and one that will be remembered for a long time'. Its success is assured. In addition to this film there is a budget of first-rate featurettes. In the principal dllm Inez (Delores Del'Bio) a dancer at the “Wonder Bar," a Parisian night club, is in love with Harry, her partner (Bicardo , Cortez), who is tired of her, and who has transferred his affections to Liane Eenauld (Kay Francis), wife of a prominent banker. Liana has given Harry a valuable jewel and tells her husband she has lost it. Detectives get on the job, and Harry tries to soil the precious stone to A 1 Wonder (A 1 Jolson), proprietor of the club. At first A 1 refuses to buy, but when he learns that Harry proposes to go to America he does so, for he is in love with Inez and wants to get rid of her partner. Liane begs Harry to return the jewel because her husband is suspicious, and when ho tells her he is leaving for America she forces him to take her. Angry but "* helpless, Harry tells her to wait in liis car outside. She does so, but quietly „ slips back to her husband when.Al returns the jewel and opens her eyes to ... her terrible mistake. Inez and Harry go on for their last act that night, but he is so rough that the audience sense *.? something wrong. At the end pf the *~ dance Inez is crazed with anger and grief, and plunges a knife into her partner’s chest. He bleeds to death. Because he has lost every penny in the market, it becomes known that Captain von Ferring proposes to run his car over a cliff and commit suicide. To save Inez, A 1 places the body of Harry in the car. He returns to Inez and finds her sobbing in the arms of an American “ youth and former sweetheart. He sees there is no chance for him, reassures Inez that Harry is not seriously hurt, and continues with tho entertainment. Billy Lee, a three-year-old singer and dancer lias been placed under contract to Paramount. Universal have replied by casting three-year-old Junita Quigley for a part in “Imitation of Life.”