Galaxy of Stars for “The Big Broadcast”

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 64, 17 March 1937, Page 11

Galaxy of Stars for “The Big Broadcast”

BEST PRODUCTION OP TYPE YET FILMED (Mayfair: Screening Saturday.) Lavishly produced, tuneful, sometimes madcap and always gay, and boasting a cast which includes the top names of radio and screen, Paramount’s annual tribute to the air waves, “The Big Broadcast of 1937” is easily the outstanding production for this type of entertainment that has yet been filmed. With Jack Benny in the stellar role, ••The Big Broadcast of 1937” include* George Burns and Grade Allen, Ro'j Burns, Martha Kaye, Benny Goodman and his Orchestra, Shirley Ross, Ray Milland, Frank Forest, Benny Fields, Leopold Stokowski and his Symphony Orchestra, and a host of others, all of whom blend perfectly into a delightful melange of music, beauty and wit. The story centres around Jack Benny, a radio station manager, and his attempts to keep everybody happy. Forest is unhappy because Shirley Ross, an unknown announcer in an obscure station, is ribbing him. He demands that Benny do something about it. Benny and Milland, Forest’s press agent, lure her to New York on the promise of a big job. When she arrives Milland is assigned Ur keep Rcr amused but off the air. They fall iu love. Shirley discovers the trick and is furious. Grade Allen, sponsor of a programme puts her on her programme t,o team with Forest. The team is an instant success. A big programme is engineered iu which Forest proposes to Miss Ross and is accepted. Then all America is steamed up for a radio wedding in which the two are to be united. When the big moment comes, howevs*, Shirley refuses to go through with it and flees. A frantic search is begun for her. Grade, left alone in the studio, puts on a programme of her own ingenious contrivance which is one of the high spots in this hilarious comedy. Miss Ross is found after a wild search, returned to the studio and hurried into a bridal costume. With all America listening in, she marches down the aisle and faces the groom who, it turns out, is Milland who has also been forced into proper clothing for the big event. They are married. “The Big Broadcast of 1937” is Miss Ross’ first major screen assignment. She is the possessor of an unusually clear sweet voice, is an exquisite dancer and has great personal charm and beauty. Itis easy to predict big things for her in the near future.