REGENT THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 201, 26 August 1936, Page 9

REGENT THEATRE

“SHOW BOAT.” ‘‘Show Boat,” one of the most colourful and tuneful romances of the stage, starring Irene Dunn and Paul Robeson, is enjoying a record season at the Regent Theatre. Beginning with the arrival of the show boat at a small settlement on the banks of the Mississippi, the story follows the fortunes of the owner, his wife, and daughter, and a roaming ne’er do well who joins the company as an actor. Irene Dunne has the role of the proprietor’s daughter, who falls in love with the attractive waster, Gaylord R-avenal, and finally marries him despite vigorous opposition from her mother. Their flight to the city and their struggle for existence, culminating in Gaylord deserting his wife and child, are poignantly portrayed. How the daughter grows up and wins her way to stardom forms the concluding phases of the picture. Robeson is heard at. his best in the famous song “Or Man River,” and also sings several other attractive numbers. Allan Jones and Irene Dunne are also heard in attractive duets and solos, and Helen Morgan gives a fine portrayal of Julie, singing popular songs. “Desire.” ‘Desire,’’ which is to open Paramount. Week on Saturday at the Regent Theatre, stars Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper. Paris is the locale for the opening of “Desire.” There a jewel raid is cleverly executed, and Dietrich, an adventuress, tlees to the Spanish border, but en route circumstances arise which cause her and the booty to uart company. Gary Cooper here lends a hand. He helps the beautiful jewel thief to escape, but is unable to do so himself.