STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 November 1939, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

AN OUTSTANDING PICTURE. "The Story of Vernon' and Irene Castle" at the State Theatre on Saturday night drew a large audience. Starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, the top-ranking screen dancers of today. The picture was one that made an appeal to all tastes, particularly so to lovers of dancing. Music lovers appreciate the singing of “By the Light of the Silvery Moon,” “Nights of Gladness,” “Missouri Waltz,” "Darktown Strutters’ Ball,” “Too Much Mustard" and many other tunes of the prewar era, which are either sung or danced to by the two stars, or which form part of the musical settings. There was a charm about the picture which immediately appealed. Among many other scenes are also included some stirring air shots over the Western Front during the war. As its title indicates, the picture tells the sensational story of Vernon and Irene Castle, who skyrocketed to fame overnight as the world's greatest dancing team of the pre-war era. It is told against a memorable background of period settings, and revives a wealth of period tunes. This parade of the musical hits of long ago, together with its stirring romance and its dramatic conclusion make the picture one of the greatest musical films of recent years. When Vernon Castle, aspiring young dancer, meets Irene Foote, daughter of a New Rochelle doctor, it is a case of love at first sight. Vernon is “playing” for Lew Fields in a musical comedy hit at the time, and throughout the winter he and Irene practice dance steps, hoping Fields will give them a chance. Instead, they get married, go to Paris through a misunderstanding and find themselves penniless. They are rescued by the efforts of an elderly theatrical agent, Maggie Sutton, who gets them an offer to dance at a Paris cafe. They are an immediate sensation. Triumphs follow. Then the World War breaks out, and Castle, a British citizen. feels he must ’ enlist. He goes abroad and joins the Royal' Flying Corps, subsequently being killed in a crash.