A NEW “DISCOVERY”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24336, 28 June 1940, Page 5

A NEW “DISCOVERY”

SUCCESSOR TO DEANNA DURBIN A new motion picture star, possessing a remarkable singing voice and a personality at once warm and refreshing, makes her bow to a Dunedin audience when Universal’s “ The Under-Pup ” opens at the Regent Theatre to-day. She is Gloria Jean, an 11-year-old, whose coloratura voice and natural appeal dominate a picture replete with romantic, comedy, and musical “ surprises.” ; Gloria is by no means the whole show, however, nor is she the sole newcomer. One of the year's longest casts has been gathered, and all deliver in impressive style. In romantic assignments, Robert Cummings repeats his hit of " Three Smart Girls Grow Up.” while Nan Grey, again opposite him, is equally effective, Honours are divided between a cast of adults and as talented an array of youngsters as -has ever been assembled on the screen The grown-ups are Beulah Bondi, Margaret Lindsay. C.. Aubrey Smith, Billy Gilbert, Raymond'Walburri, Paul Cavanagh, Frank Jenks, Ernest Truex, and Samuel S. Hinds. Among the youngsters, Virginia Weidler and Ann Gillls are welcome and familiar faces, while Shirley Mills, as the “meanie,” scores in her first appearance. Also on the hit side are Billy Lenhart,, eight-year-old' bass fiddle player, and his partner, Kenneth Brown, seven, accordionist. ■' ' ; v : It is Gloria who carries the most important character.. She plays the part of “ Pip-Erama ” with the ease that belies the fact that it is her first picture. She is cast as a poor girl from the East Side of New York, whose " lowly ” station in life and her eccentric but lovable family incur the ridicule of a group of wealthy girls at an exclusive summer camp. The heart-break of Gloria’s attempts to make friends with the '‘ Penguins.” her winning over of a bitter old-maid camp sponsor, and the amusing part she plays in the lives of other adults provide the them® of the story. Logically and lyrically woven into the story are. six musical numbers, with Gloria scoring , a genuine triumph in her rendition of five songs, from the favourite “Annie Laurie ” to Mozart’s “ Shepherd’s Lullaby.”