MAJESTIC THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 82, Issue 288, 6 December 1938, Page 9

MAJESTIC THEATRE

“SING, YOU SINNERS” ■ As two brothers, one happy-go-lucky, irresponsible, and amiably ne’er-do-well, the other hard-working, serious, and conscientious, Bing Crosby and Fred Mac Murray turn in what are probably the outstanding performances of their careers in ’’Sing, You Sinners,” the uproarious comedy which opens to-day at the Majestic Theatre. The appeal of this picture lies in its good-natured and unsophisticated humour and its natural presentation of everyday characters who might iive next door to any of us. Cleverly written by Claude Binyon it tells the story of the ups and downs of a small-town California family, whose principal assets are three soil, who can sing, plus an infallible luck at the race tracks. As the ne’er-do-well son, Bing makes so much trouble for his relatives in their home town that he goes away to seek his fortune in Los Angeles, which he is convinced is a field broad enough for his talents. He promises to send for his mother, played by Elizabeth Patterson, and his younger brother, Donald O’Connor, the moment he makes a success. In the big town Bing turns out to be even less responsible than he was at home. After making a killing by placing all his money on a horse, he buys a business and wires his mother and brother to join him. By the time all of them, including Mac Murray and his bride-to-be, arrive, they find that the business has gone the way of all Bing’s ventures. He has traded it for a racehorse, which he hopes will make him a fortune. The scene at the race track proves to be an uproarious climax, as Bing, running true to form, shows his complete confidence in his horse by betting the singing trio’s salary for the next ten weeks on the animal. Although the horse comes in the winner, the future plans of the family turn out to be something far different from what Bing expects when Miss Patterson reasserts her control over her sons. Two new screen discoveries carry off high honours in “Sing, You Sinners.” They are young O’Connor, who can act, sing, play an accordion, and ride a racehorse with equal skill, and Ellen Drew, who, as Mac Murray’s financee, displays a freshness, beauty, and enthusiasm.