REGENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 July 1939, Page 2

REGENT THEATRE

BRILLIANT DEANNA DURBIN.

The popularity of Deanna Durbin as a screen personality was demonstrated on Saturday night when the Regent Theatre was packed to the doors to witness “Three Smart Girls Grow Up,” in which she had the leading role. Her glorious voice again captured the audience, particularly appealing being her singing of “The Last Rose of Summer,” which was one of the outstanding features of the picture. “Three Smart Girls Grow Up” is full of romance and comedy and the audience roared with laughter at the many amusing situations which were brought about by the clever acting of Deanna Durbin and Charles Winninger as her absent-minded father, the latter’s portrayal being one of the cleverest seen on the screen for a long time. He is natural throughout and never forgets z what is required of him in presenting a scene as it should be. The love affairs of Deanna Durbin’s two sisters, ably portrayed by Nan Grey and Helen Parrish, create most intriguing situations in which Deanna plays a very important part. The picture has everything in it that can provide enjoyment for the picture patron and while Deanna Durbin is the star "turn,” there are others in the picture who can claim to add considerably to the brilliance of the production. “Three Smart Girls Grow Up” immediately makes an appeal to the audience and as the “plot" unfolds so does the interest 01 the audience increase, with innumerable humorous situations causing the audience to scream with laughter and a strong romantic appeal throughout it. While Deanna Durbin is growing up from a clever child performer to a polished and clever actress so will her popularity among picturegoers increase, and so long as pictures such as “Three Smart Girls Grow Up” are presented on the screen the silver sheet will never lose its appeal to those who appreciate the best that is to be found in talkies and will have none other. The supports are particularly good, and in keeping with the high standard of the' chief feature.