ROMANTIC DRAMA.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20456, 8 November 1934, Page 3

ROMANTIC DRAMA.

Richard Dix Starred in “ Stingaree.”

“ Stingaree,” starring Richard Dix, a romantic drama dealing with the exploits of Australia’s most colourful outlaw, will head the new bill of fare at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday. In support of Dix are Irene Dunne, Mary Boland. Conway Tearle and Una O’Connor (of “Cavalcade”). There are parts of the picture which will be long remembered for their sheer beauty of song, for the theme is about a Cinderella songstress who is brought to fame by the audacity of an outlaw. Therein lie the essentials of “ Stingaree ” —the voice of Irene Dunne and the thrills provided *by Dix in the title role. Dix is the feared Stingaree, a gentleman outlaw, who realises the possibilities in the untrained voice of Irene Dunne, who is the maid of Mary Boland, a rich squatter’s wife. This rotund comedienne refuses to recognise that any but herself possesses a “ beautiful ” voice, and she gives plenty of opportunity for judging its “ quality ” by her affected outbursts of do-re-mi and acrobatic scales. There is more fun than this, however, for the daring outlaw creates many amusing situations and others provide a flow of quiet humour. Conway Tearle is Sir Julian Kent, a famous musical entrepreneur, who takes care of the voice but not the heart of the heroine and places her on the foremost stage of Europe. Throughout it all the singer remembers her love for the outlaw who first made her chance, and whom she has seen for only half an hour or so under rather exciting circumstances. The startling daring of the Stingaree’s method of watching her on the stage when she returns to Melbourne precipitates the climax. Box plans at the D.I.C.