AMUSEMENTS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 220, 14 August 1939, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS

“ROSALIE” (Yf OST LAVISH NILS* CAL EVER SCREENED Thiillingly conceived Nelson lUldyEleanor Powell musical surpasses anything ever attempted before; gargantuan ensembles offer eye-staggering .spectacle. Colo Porter songs a delight to hear. Mailed as “big,” it is big, tins “Rosalie”, which screens at the Regent Theatre next- -Monday, 'I uesday and Wednesday. Nelson Eddy and Eleanor Powell are teamed in this tuneful melange, which varies in locale between a motball game, a military college, a transatlantic airplane, and the ooleurlul mythical kingdom of “Romnnza” The pairing of Eddy and Miss Powell is a brilliant, feat. Not only do they dance and sing in the manner of stars of their magnitude, but as lovers they are decidedly in tlie top rank among tomantie learns.

Those who thought they bad seen “tops” in immense movie sets when “The Great Ziegfeld” came to town, have something to think about when they see “Tlomanza,” tin* tremendous white and; silver kingdom presided ever by Frank Morgan as a king with iiii eye for a pretty girl and Edna May Oliver as a queen-quite able to curb such tendencies. Morgan -as ruler with ventriloquism a.s a hobby strikes

a new high note in laugh-producing gags. Ray Bulger. be of the. rubber legs, is really great as comedy relief, and, of course, splendid in bis comedy dancing specialities. Ilona Aiassey is a newcomer whom playgoers can well jvateh carefully. This beautiful European, who makes her American debut as the second lead of the picture in the part of Countess Brenda. <confidante to the Princess Rosalie, not only proves herself a delightful comedienne, but a singer of extraordinary range. Her “Spring Love Is in tlie A;r” is. magnificently dene. In fact, all oi the music of the piece is tuneful and finely created, as one might expect after seeing that all are credited to tin* highly, competent Cole Porter. Nelson Eddy, in splendid voice, sings “Rosalie*.” “W ho Knows” and “In tin* Still of the Niglft,” as solos; and “It’s All Over Put the Shouting” and “To- Love or Not to Love.” with the AYest Point football team. Frank Morgan, as the King, ha.-, an amusing comedy song in “Why .Should I Cart*” and Miss Powell sings and taps beautifully. “I've a Strange New Rhythm in My Heart.’’ The ballet dance numbers staged by Albertina Raseli for the enormous Romanza sequences are in the best- tradition of that great ballet mistress. In fact, in extent they exceed anything she has ever dene. “Rosalie” has T-cOii briskly directed by AV. S. Van Dyke .11. AA'itli that director’s customary last- pace, it moves along at. brcalo-iieck speed. ;