Preview Proves Worth of Easter Attraction

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 69, 23 March 1937, Page 11

Preview Proves Worth of Easter Attraction

PEOPLE WHO ARE SMART WILL NOT MISS SCREENING

“Three Smart Girls’* was previewed in Palmerston North several weeks ago and, on that occasion, all who witnessed it were delighted with the film. The following appeared in the “Times” report of that screening.

‘‘A beautiful young girl with, a singing voice of rich depth, clear treble tones and maturity such as is seldom heard from the screen, charmed the audience gathered in the Regent Theatre for a preview of “Three Smart Girls, ” a film to open its seasou in the city later. A number of Palmerstonians, as well as theatre managers from as far distant as Napier and Hastings, attended.

“You will find it hard to believe mo, after hearing her, that Deanna Durbin, the new star of this film, is only 14 years of age,” said Mr W. A. Uislop, general manager for New Zealand ot Universal Films, in a lew remarks prior to the screening.

Dorn on December 0, 1922, Deanna was actually only 13 when the film was produced. Mr llislop said that at the opening in Wellington the St. James* Theatre did its best business for years, while laler the house was booked out at noon and at 7 o’clock there was a queue 150 yards long of people vainly seeking scats.

Deanna Durbin’s voice may soon be compared with the finest on the screen, and no doubt she will soon reach the film peerage. Her personal charm, evident from the first scenes, is at iio time marred by.precocidusness; yet her voice impresses. for its amazing maturity. For comedy and pathos, gaiety and petulance, she shows brilliant diversity, , yhe is not merely another screen singer, but an actress, whose performance m this her initial film is given with poise for all its astonishing freshness. This is perhaps derived from the fact that, youthful as she. is, she was au acclaimed radio star in America before making the film, her voiee being broadcast to millions weekly.

'lkree Smart Girls' is a comedy with a story as modern as . can be thought of; three girls in their teens whose self-appointed mission in life is to reunite tiieir mother to a husband whom she still loves despite his dangerous infatuation for a proven ‘gold digger. ’

There is a delightful opening lakeside scene in Switzerland, and over the silver quietness of the waters Deanna’s voice goes forth in its exquisite quality as she siugs *My Heart Is Singing.’ Her other numbers during the film are ‘Someone to Caro For Me’ and *ll Bacio,’ the latter sung not at the Metropolitan but at a city police statiou. -Most of the action is in New York. It can bo said definitely that this new personality proves herself more than a child singing prodigy. Her beauty and charm arc reinforced by a smooth performance. Sho is supported by a east that includes B'innio Barnes, Alice Brady, Ray Milland, Charles Winninger and Mischa Auer.”