"ROBERTA”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 14 March 1936, Page 9

"ROBERTA”

Fresh from its triumph on Broadway and in London, the biggest musical comedy success of the past five years has opened its short season. “Roberta” features three of the screen’s best known stars in Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers and Irene Dunne. The first two, of course, provide the dancing part of the show, and Irene Dunne’s lovely voice is heard in Jerome Kern’s new song numbers “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” and ‘Lovely to Look At.” Such a combination of talent makes »

picture of brilliance. Indeed it lias attracted so much notice that its records break even those of the stage presentation. Another feature is the exquisite flocking displayed by a host of charming girls. As for the story itself, it is in romantic vein and tlm scenes centre round Paris, city of colour and gaiety.

The two dancing stars present a wide variety of steps in this prodiv tion showing even more in the way of sensational rhythm than they did in “The Gay Divorcee.” One of their feature dances has been described as a poem in motion, and in another they have a grand time using their feet to tap out a conversation, all to the tune of “I’ll lie Hard to Handle."

Bccuase of the record-breaking success of “Call of the Wild” in all parts of the world, Darryl F. Zanuck has bought “White Fangs,” another -lack London story, to film as its successor. "White Fangs” is the sequel to the first -Tack London dog story in that the title-character is the son of Buck, the St. Bernard that took a wolf as ,its mate in “Call of the Wild. ’ The story makes it necessary for the producer to find a new dog for the canine role.

Minuet—Not “Min-you"ay” It is extraordinary (says a writer in the Auckland “Star’)’ how that ignorant mispronunciation, “Min-you-ay,” for minuet, continues to be perpetuated. This was heard from 2YA in the dinner session last month, and 3YA has also offended in this respect. Dr. Edgar L. Baintou, the director of the New South Wales State Conservatorium of Music, told me that Tie had heard this absurd pronunciation often in Australia, not only from radio announcers, but even from musicians, v. ho, he said,' ought to know better. ¥ ¥ * # “All that Vienna stands for is personified in Luisc Rainer. ' A magic person, full of charm and allure but strangely childish, too, in the disarming frankness of her manner.” When M.G.M.’s “Escapade” opens its season towards the end of the month, Nelson v, ill see the star sensation —who walked into the film when Myrna Loy walked out of tiie role. “Escapade,” called by critics "a classic example of how Viennese comedy ' should be played,” was originally intended as a starring vehicle for William Powell. Luise, accomplished Continental actress though Phe was. had the rating of leadinglady. The public co-starred licr with Powell after the release of the film. ¥ •>•• V * Public Concerts Suspended The Hawera Male Choir, at the annual meeting, decided to continue, practices but to suspend public concerts, owing to the reduced membership. ¥ * * * Well-known Violinist Arrives Leo Cherniavsky, violinist, one of tiie well-known Cherniavsky Trio, formerly so popular on the concertplatform in New Zealand, has arrived in Wellington, accompanied by his pianist, Maynard Wilkinson. Mr Cherniavsky is under contract to the Broadcasting Board. ¥ # * * Evelyn Gardiner, of the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, now in Auckland. was in New Zealand with the last company presenting these famous operas, a few years ago.