PLAZA THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 196, 20 August 1934, Page 12

PLAZA THEATRE

“BRIGHT SIDE UP.” The ability of American producers to utilise successfully, dialogue as a vehicle for smart and clever humour is illustrated to advantage in the musical comedy, “Bright Side Up.” which was screened on Saturday at the Plaza Theatre. The story concerns the efforts of three confidence men to secure a place on the screen for a disillusioned beauty contest winner, who, after a short trial in Hollywood, is dropped, and finds herself penniless and homeless. As the promoter of the company in which she finally gets her chance,. Harry Green is superb and is the source of a great many laughs. The acting laurels, however, must undoubtedly go to the young Snglish actress, Pat Paterson, who takes the part of Wanda Gale, the beauty contest winner, with a simplicity and charm that are delightful. Opposite her, and taking the part of a disappointed actor, is John Boles, who acts very convincingly and enriches the film with his lino singing. The sparkling humour of the piece is adequately provided by the trio of confidence tricksters, who include Herbert Mundin, posing as an English peer, and Spencer Tracy as a kind-hearted publicity agent. The film satirises the bluff of Hollywood. It portrays how three merry rogues and a girl with movie ambitions put on a bold front and crash the golden gates of the movie capital. The girl, who has long cherised a love for a famous movie star, soon finds herself skyrocketed to film fame by her three rollicking companions. Before long she is playing opposite the man she has loved from afar. When the girl and her three companions are found to be bluffs, the situation becomes embarrassing. But the. film star who has fallen in love with the girl, sticks by her and—you’ll want, to sec for yourself now it ends. The four song numbers which give promise of being hits i are “Waiting at the Gate for Katy,’’ “Turn on the Moon,” “Little Did 1 Dream.” and “I’m Throwing My Love Away.” The four well-known song writers responsible for these numbers are Harold Adamson, Burton Lane. Richard A. Whiting, and Gus Kahn. David Butler directed from his own story and screen play which he wrote in collaboration with B. G. de Sylvia and Sid Silvers. Included in a series of interr«*ir»«f supporting films is an Aussie News series with the All Blacks in • .: j Australia. Among player® seen in these glimpses is Bullock-Douglas, W:.' ganui’s representative in the New Zt:. ‘ land ’team. 1