STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 October 1940, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

A DARING DRAMA. Weaving a dramatic romance about a girl from the wrong side of the town and her Prince Charming, who runs a hamburger stand, “Primrose Path” brings Ginger Rogers and Joel McCrea to the State Theatre tonight in their first co-starring vehicle in six years, and in one that marks a significant milestone in their careers. Adapted from the Broadway dramatic success, the story deals with the stormy romance of Ellie May Adams and Ed Wallace. Ellie May, desperately ashamed of her dissolute family and determined to keep decent herself, meets Ed while digging clams at the beach.l She falls instantly in love with him. Her sincerity affects him and they are married, and for a few weeks are blissfully happy. However, Ellie May realises .that sooner or later Ed will learn the truth about her family, and decides to bring them together. The meeting breaks up their marriage. Ed, furious at Ellie May’s deception and believing she is tarred with the same brush, storms away. How Ed’s subsequent efforts at reconciliation are frustrated by Ellie May’s waspish grandmother, the girl’s losing battle to support the family after her mother dies, and the manner in which the young couple’s troubles are straightened out, make for striking drama and suspense. Noted for his realism in handling social problems and human interest on the screen, the producerdirector, Gregory La Cava, has another absorbing story in this film. Be-| sides offering exceptional opportunities I to Miss Rogers and to McCrea for col-' ourful portrayals, the picture has a distinguished supporting cast. Marjorie Rambcau and Miles Mander as Ellie’s May’s easygoing mother and brokendown father respectively, Joan Carroll as her precocious little sister, and Queenie Vassar, a noted stage actress making her screen debut, as the malicious grandmother, comprise the Adams family. Henry Travers has the role of McCrea’s sympathetic grandfather and Viviienne Osborne and Carmen Morales play other important parts. There is an outstanding supporting programme. As the booking is already heavy patrons should reserve their seats.