Cosy Theatre, Woodville

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 259, 1 November 1940, Page 2

Cosy Theatre, Woodville

“STAND UP AND FIGHT” The Western comes into its own in a brand new locale in “Stand Up and Figiit,” with Wallace Beerj and Robert Taylor teamed for the first time as protagonists of a new type of outdoor action drama which bids fair to set a precedent in film cycles. Tho picture, screening at the Cosy Theatre, Woodville, to-night and to-morrow, presents to film-goers Western Maryland in tho 185U’s, with the bitter struggle between tho railroad and stage coacn lines forming the tneme of a stirring story which combines all the elements of the best of the always-popuiar Westerns with an authentic nistoncal background. Moving at breathless pace, with hand-to-uand battles, gun fights, jgon wrecks, gaol dynamitings and saloon brawls studding the action, “Stand Up and Fight” lives up to the vigorous connotation of its title. Beery and Taylor are in fine fettle, Beery typical in a made-to-order role as the hard-boiled manager of tho stage coach line, and Taylor combining the romantic and tho two-fisted. A new leading lady for. Taylor, Floreneo Rice, proves nerself onco and for all a most charming and able actress in this, her finest opportunity to date. Tho dry wit of Helen Broderick and villainy of Charles Bickford and Barton Mac Lane add notable flavour, while such others as Charley j Grapewiu, John Qualen and Robert Gleckler are memorable in support. W. I S. Van Dyke’s direction is incisive.