STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 April 1940, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

“ESCAPE TO PARADISE.” In “Escape To Paradise,” which will be shown at the State Theatre tonight. Bobby Breen demonstrates again that he possesses one of the finest voices the screen has to offer. But in this particular case, the boy, now a husky young fellow of 12, also proves that he has learned a great deal about acting in his four-year career and his portrayal of a light-hearted, mischievous South American lad provides an excellent piece of entertainment. Bobby breaks completely with all his former types of characterisations and as “Roberto,” a boy who can't help exaggerating every time he opens his mouth provides a swift-moving story that features romance. adventure and hilarity. It is Bobby's inability to stick to the truth that makes Kent Taylor, an American playboy visiting the South American town of Rosarito, overnight become a hero of the community, and which starts his romance with Marla Shelton. Once a deceit, started by Bobby, has been established it takes all Taylor's quick wit to maintain it and eventually even that cannot prevent an exposure. Bobby’s exaggerations finally undo the damage they have caused in the first place and Taylor, vindicated, gives up his Career as a playboy and settles down to marriage and a life of trade. Taylor gives an excellent performance. He and Miss Shelton, the latter playing a Latin-American senorita, are ideally cast as a romantic team. Joyce Compton, as a blonde who is after Taylor herself; Robert O. Davis as a European business man, and Pedro De Cordoba as a plantation owner, give splendid portrayals. Bobby's songs are all of South American flavour and are presented in such a manner that they enhance the telling of the screen story. Particularly fine is the old favourite “Ay 'Ay Ay” and two numbers written for the picture. “Tra-la-la” and “If Hearts Could Speak.”