“JOSETTE”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 28 January 1939, Page 3

“JOSETTE”

GAY AND REFRESHING It’s vive I’amour in naughty New Orleans! It’s vive Don Ameche! vive Simone Simon! and vive Robert Young! For that matter it's vive “Josette” as long as a theatre runs this love escapade by 20th Century-Fox This spicy, tantalising story is gayer than a Mardi Gras, with these three delightful stars. Don is more romantic than you’ve known him on screen or radio. Simone is the tantalising little French coquette. She’s got zis! And she’s got zat! And Bob is the ardent swain who won't take no for an answer —not even in French! It all starts gaily on its way when Don and Bob decide that their papa is too ardently cherchezing la femme— Josette. The fact that Simone is innocent of »11 guile as regards Papa—and that there is another woman in the case —only adds to the merry madness. For Don and Bob pack Papa off on a trip and decide to take Josette into their own hands ... or arms, as it later develops. The denouement can not be divulged here, but let it be said that “Josette,'’ merry with its Gordon and Revel songs, has the kick of a sarcastic cocktail! Three new song hits by Hollywood’s ace tunesmiths are featured in the musical background of the film. These, which already are crowding the kilocycles, are “May I drop a Petal in your ' Glass of Wine?” “In Any Language.” I and "Where in the World.’ Bert La hr and Joan Davis, sensational new comedy team first seen in “Love and Hisses.” head the featured cast of * “Josette.” The film is Joan Davis’s first since she was voted No 1 comedienne in a New York daily’s nationwide fan poll. Paul Hurst. William Collier. Sr and Tala Birell are included in the cast. Darryl F. Zanuck. in charge of production. selected Allen Dwan to direct, with Gene Markey associate promoter. The screen play by James Edward Grant was based upon, a play by Paul Frank and Georg Fraser, from a story fcv Ladislaus Vadnai. * ¥ Jfi Paramount has completed several years of negotiations to produce a talking version of the famous “Beau Geste,” and Gary Cooper has been given the leading role, according to a message received by the company’s Wellington office. Production is to begin this week * * * * Character-actor Sydney Toler has been chosen to play the famous Charlie Chan role created by the late Warner □land.