PLAZA THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 168, 20 July 1935, Page 16

PLAZA THEATRE

“ROBERTA.” Filmgoers who have been eagerly anticipating its presentation here will find their expectations are fully realised in “Roberta,” the splendid new anisic;.! production which commenced I its four-day season in Wanganui at me i iaza j heatre yesterday. Dealing with the adventures of an “All-Amcri can” footballer who .inherits a fashionable gown designing < . .idislimeut in Paris called “Roberta," the Him affords many opportunities for the introduction of that bright, original humour which is so much appreciated by the modern audience. Bui, in addition to this feature, the film is also notable, for the splendid quality of its musical numbers, ami the exceptionally clever dancing of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The former, besides contributing to the success of the film by his dancing, is also largely responsible for the humour wliich pervades the whole piece, and in this connection Ginger Rogers provides an admirable foil. Irene Dunne further enhances her reputatk as one of the leading singers on the talking screen by her delightful rendering of the beautiful “Touch of Your Hand” and “Lovely to Look At” numbers and her singing of'a tuneful Russian refrain to the accomapniment of a Balalaika orchestra is really charming. Among the musical highlights of the picture are “The Pipe Organ Number,” “Let’s Begin,” “Yesterday,” “I’ll Be Hard to Handle,” “ Lovely to Look At,” “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” “Russian Refrain,” and “Touch of Your Fund.” There are many splendid scenes, but the first to command attention is a “pipe organ” number, performed by Fred Astaire on the gloved hands of his dance band, arranged as a keyboard. Of the dance numbers, perhaps the most striking is the attractive double top dance by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The grand finale of the film is a spectacular mannequin review to the music of Fred Astaire’s American dance band, the “Wabash Indianians.” To the feminine eye the bewildering array of costumes in this parade of beautiful mannequins is a revelation. The striking evening dress of Miss Dunne and the scintillating gown worn by Miss Rogers in this scene are attractive enough to excite the envy of any woman. Altogether, the film is a splendidjsuccess.