AT THE THEATRE ROYAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 19093, 27 January 1932, Page 2

AT THE THEATRE ROYAL.

“RIO RITA,” A SUPREME SPECTACLE. The long awaited return season of “Rio Rita” opens at the Theatre Royal to-night. “Rio Rita” is undoubtedly the greatest “talkie” of its class that has yet come to the speaking screen. The story of the play concerns Jim Stewart, captain of the Texas Rangers, who is trying to unmask a bandit known as the Kinkajou. When he thinks he %; on the right track he finds that the man he suspects is the brother of an extremely beautiful Mexican senorita, Rio Rita, with whom he falls in love. General Ravenoff, an unscrupulous scoundrel, who is courting Rita, tells her that her brother, Roberto. is the Kinkajou and threatens to expose him if she will not consent to marry him. He blackens Jim in Rita’s eyes by telling her he is a ranger spying on Roberto, and in despair she denounces Jim and sends him away. She then plights her troth to Ravenoff who arranges a huge fiesta on his river barge in honour of the event. During the fiesta, Ravenoff suggests that they be married immediately, and Rita agrees, but just at that moment Jim appears in disguise, on the barge, and then events follow rapidly to an exciting climax. Perhaps the greatest surprise of the picture is the talent and charming soprano voice of Bebe Daniels as Rio Rita. Miss Daniels has hitherto been seen only in light parts, but in “Rio Rita,” she proves herself a prima donna of considerable beauty and unmistakable talent. The leading man, John Boles, as Jim. is the possessor of a pleasing tenor voice which he uses to advantage.