“Rosalie” Stars Eleanor Powell and Nelson Eddy

Northern Advocate, 18 February 1939, Page 4 (Supplement)

“Rosalie” Stars Eleanor Powell and Nelson Eddy

Hailed as “big,” it is big, this “Rosalie.” Nelson Eddy and Eleanor Powell are teamed in this tuneful melange, which varies in locale between a football game, a. military college, a transatlantic airplane, and the colourful mythical kingdom of “Romanza.” The pairing of Eddy and Miss Fowell is a brilliant feat. Not only do they dance and sing in the manner of gtars of their magnitude, but as lovers they are decidedly in the ton rank among romantic teams. . ’ >

These who thought, they had seen, “tops” in immense movie sets when “The Great Ziegfeld” came to town, have something to think about when they see “Romanza,” the tremendous white and silver kingdom presided over by Frank Morgan as a king with an eye for a pretty girl and Edna May Oliver as a queen quite able to curb such tendencies. Morgan as ruler with ventriloquism as a hobby strikes a new’ high note in laugh-prcducing gags.

Ray Bolger. he of the rubber legs, is really great as comedy relief, and. of course, splendid in his comedy, dancing specialities.. Ilona Massey is a newcomer whom playgoers can well watch carefully. This beautiful European, who makes her American debut as the second lead of the ’picture in the part of Countess Brenda (confidante to the Princess Rosalie), not only proves herself a delightful comedienne, but a singer of extraordinary range,/ Her “Spring Love Is in the Air” is magnificently done.

In fact, all of the music of the piece is tuneful and finely created, as one might expect after seeing that all are credited to the highly competent Cole Porter. Nelson Eddy, in splendid voice, sings “Rosalie,” “Who Knows” and “In the Still of the Night,” as solos; and “It's All Over But the Shouting,” and “Tp Love Or Not to Love,” with, the West Point football team. Frank Morgan, as the king, has an amusing comedy song in “Why Should I care?” and Miss Rowell sings and taps beautifully. “I’ve a Strange New Rhythm in My Heart.’' : i

The ballet dance numbers staged by Albertina Rasch for the enormous Romanza sequences are in the best tradition of that great ballet mistress. In fact, in extent they exceed anything she has ever done. “Rosalie” has been briskly directed by W. S. Van Dyke 11. With that director’s customary fast pace, it moves along at breakneck speed.