PLAZA THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 91, 18 April 1935, Page 12

PLAZA THEATRE

I “MUSIC IN THE AlR.’’ With a score contributed by the master of light music, Jerome Kern, and the brilliant lyricist, Oscar Hammerstein 11, the new Fox Film spectacle, “Music in the Air,” starring Gloria Swanson, John Boles, Douglass Montgomery and June Dang, will be screened finally to-day at the Plaza Theatre. “Music is the Air” ran for a year on Broadway. Now, as an Erich Pommer production for Fox Films, it is rated by preview critics as one of the outstanding musical pictures of years. Its star-studded cast has rated superlatievs from everyone who has viewed the film, for in addition to such stellar names as those of Gloria Swanson and John Boles, Montgomery and June Lang, the company includes Al Shean, Reginald Owen, Joseph Cawthron, Hobart Bosworth and Jed Prout. Joe May, celebrated German director, was imported to Hollywood by Erich Pommer to handle the production. To judge from advance accounts, he has made of it a glamorous and colourful narrative. The story, adapted from Oser Kammerstein’s libretto, is consistent and convincing—with tears as well as laughs woven into its texture. From this story, a trio of screen writers has evolved a noteworthy vehicle for the talents of both stars and directors. Blended with is episodes are such magnificently tuneful numbers of Kern ’s as “I’ve told Every Little Star ” “The Song is You,” “One More Dance,’ “There’s a Hill Beyond a Hill” and “Wo Belong Together.' ’ The action of “Music in the Air” is laid in the Bavarian Alps and in Munich. Jack Donohue, brilliant young dance director, has staged what are described as enchanting dance routines for several scenes in the film. Outstanding in a.n excellent supporting programme is “’frail of Swordfish,” a very interest ing short on deep-sea fishing. ••Bright Eyes” Saturday." I Never previously has Shirley Temple been a brighter and more twinkling little star than she A in her latest picture, “Bright Isyes. ’ a Fox production, which heads Saturday s three-session programme at th<3 Plaza Theatre. Shirley Temple is surely a child of remarkable talents. The way she remembers her lines is in itself extraordinary for a child five years old. Her laugh, her smile and her bright, shining little face and glossy curls are Among other attributes she possesses which make it easy to realise that she has won an abiding place Tn the hearts of theatre audiences all over the world. Those who perhaps havA not been too partial towards juveniles on the screen need have no qualms about seeing “America's Darling,” as she has been billed, in “Bright Eyes.” The part she plays suits her completely, and the theme is compelling and appealing. There is material for laughter, te-ars. and thrills in this dramatic story of a little gin who loses her father, a famous air pilot, when he is killed in a crash, and later her mother. After her father’s death, when her mother has gone to I work as a servant, “Loop” Merritt, 1 a great friend of Shirley’s father, takes a keen fatherly interest in the I child. On the death of her mother there is a proposal to send the child to an institution, and how Merritt fights this and eventually wins out makes an interesting story. There are some thrilling aeroplane sihots. and another feature is Shirley Temple's singing of a rollicking song ‘On the Good Ship Lollipop.” Once again James Dunn play opposite the little star, ad as “Loop” Merritt he does I some fine work. Lois Wilson is well cast as the mother. Among others in I the east is Judith Allen. The supporting programme, comprising newsreels, I travelogue, nature film, and a comedy, I is in keeping with the entertainment 11 value of the main attraction.