DELIGHTFUL FILM.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 938, 7 December 1933, Page 3

DELIGHTFUL FILM.

Bebe Daniels and John Boles

in “ Rio Rita.”

•' Shanghai Matfness," the fine roman tic drama starring Spencer 1 racy, Herbert Mundin and Fay Wray, will conclude its season at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday night. Under the sunny saies of Mexico, where love and laughter give warmth and colour to lif«, there is a charming setting for the screen version of “ Rio Rita," the popular musical comedy which comes to the Majestic Theatre on Mondav. Mexico provides a delightful background for its romantic theme, full of variety, adventure and mystery, with a plentifiil supply of hilarous humour. The Spanish American atmosphere is caught in a way that is impossible on the stage, and the picture has a wider sweep. And all through, like a golcfcn thread, runs the melodious music.

Everything is done on a lavish scale. The ballet dancing, the singing of senors and senoritas, the clashes of opposing gangs and the gorgeous costuming in the teohnicolour scenes, all combine to produce an unforgett.a b 1 e impression. The magnificence of the settings in full colour leaves nothing to be desired. As for the story of rivalry for the love

of a beautiful girl, the shooting incidents and the daring escapes of the leaders in the piece truly represent the lawless side of Mexican life. At the beginning Bebe Daniels, as Rita, the innocent cause of all the trouble, is seen singing in her garden, and is joined* there by John Boles, as a Texas Ranger, whose tenor voice blends well with that of the heroine. The story moves swiftly, with dashes on horseback and clashes between brigands and bandits, until it appears that the hero has been at last brought within the clutches of the notorious Kinkajou. This mysterious figure is not finally unmasked and disarmed until the exciting climax, and the way it is done is highly dramatic. 'Bebe Daniels has a part which draws heavily on her powers, and John Boles is provided with ample scope for his talents. Then there is the excellent work of Robert Woolsey and* Bert Wheeler in the comic scenes, which is a strong feature of the picture. The other parts are all handled with skill and firmness of touch. Box plans at The Bristol.