OPERA HOUSE, NEW PLYMOUTH.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1940, Page 12

OPERA HOUSE, NEW PLYMOUTH.

"THE GREAT VICTOR HERBERT."

A cast headed by such celebrities as Allan Jones, Mary Martin and Walter Connolly, 28 of the unforgettable melodies writlen by Victor Herbert, and a rousing romance of the show world of the early 1900's will be on the bill of fare at the Opera House, New Plymouth, at 2 and 8 p.m. to-morrow when Paramount will present its new musical drama, "The Great Victor Herbert." Not so much a biography of Victor Herbert as a drama of the composers influence over the glamorous show world of his day, the film tells of the romance of a stage-struck girl and the matinee idol of the day, who meet in Herbert's gay world, find fame in starring in his operettas and happiness in their friendship with the great man. Mi?s Martin, as the young girl in the story, comes to New York with her only assets uncommonly good looks, a fine singing voice, and a spirited d'etermination to make a name for herself on Broadway. Her lucky day comes when she meets Herbert's premier star, Jones, who falls in love with her, makes her his wife, and later his stage partner. "The Great Victor Herbert" then traces the couple's dramatic experiences over which Herbert, in 'he person of Connolly, casts a long shadow. Their struggle to stay in the public's favour, their efforts to prevent their marriage from becoming "just another, Broadway affair," and their campaign to make another. star of their talented daughter form a fast-paced backstage story.