POWELL-ROGERS TEAM

Evening Star, Issue 22460, 3 October 1936, Page 22

POWELL-ROGERS TEAM

EXCELLENT FARE AT OCTAGON Ifc is safe to predict tliat everyone who favours the Octagon Theatre as a house of entertainment during the screening of the present programme will not regret the selection. The management lias secured two delightful releases in ‘ Horray for Love,’ with Ann Sothern in the leading role, and ‘ Star of Midnight, 1 with William Rowell and Ginger Rogers co-starred. Ami .Sothern has a perfect partner in the person of Gene Raymond in the first picture, which provides an entirely new approach to the drama of the theatre business. The story is given many novel twists as it relates the adventures of the members of the Broadway musical show. A group of top-notch artists is responsible for the musical revue’s outstanding entertainment value. Maria Gambarclli, America’s prima ballerina, makes her screen debut in a strikingly beautiful presentation. To sec that greatest of all tap dancers, 13111 Robinson, execute several flashing routines is an attraction in itself, while dancing with him is a talented young girl, Jeni LcGon. The general excellence of the musical is increased by Ann Sothem’s rendition of several hit songs. The plot is concerned with the difficulties met by Raymond in producing a Broadway show after lie lias been successful in presenting musicals in college. The romantic interludes are capaim - handled by Ann Sothern and Gene Raymond, who are given full support by Thurston Hall, veteran of the silent days, “ Fats ” Waller, Lionel Standcr, an 4 several ohters. When the William Powell-Myrna Loy combination was broken everyone said that neither would be successful on the screen without the other, but Powell has disproved the popular belief, and in 1 Star of Midnight ’ shows that he has an equally fitting partner in Ginger Rogers. Something entirely _ new _in love stories is told in this film, in which Ginger Rogers is cast as a young society girl who trios to corner William Powell. At one time the audience is given to believe that he is a willing victim, and at others that he is clinging apprehensively to the bachelorhood. Not only is the audience kept guessing as to the true’significance of his attitude, but so is the girl in the case. The plot is excellently conceived and moves gaily at times, but, when it is least expected it turns to mystery, which, combined with the other moods of the film, make the story one of absorbing interest and varied appeal. This is the first time William Powell and Ginger Rogers have been teamed, and they are just as much at home in their roles in this picture ns they were in any of those that helped to build up their screen reputations in the [last.