PLAZA THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 46, 24 February 1939, Page 9

PLAZA THEATRE

"THE COWBOY AND THE LADY” The first of the new season’s pic tures from United Artists is “Th Cowboy and the Lady,” which wa produced by Samuel Goldwyn, wh< has in the past provided many of th< screen's finest achievements. It is : romantic love story richly endowei by the presence of two first-clas cinema stars, Gary Cooper and Merli Oberon, and is to commence screen ing at the Plaza Theatre to-day AU who love pictures embellishei by a strong dramatic story, s'parklin; with comedy, top-notch acting beautiful settings, splendid direction and bright dialogues, will find thi new Goldwyn production highly en tertaining. Against the lavish setting of Washington drawing-rooms am Florida mansions, contrasted with th< pictorial beauty of the western plains "The Cowboy and the Lady” unfold: a heartily-told story of the debutant! daughter of a Senator, played bj Merle Oberon, who is whisked sum marily away to bask on the Florida sands while a night-club scandal i; brewing in which she is involved. Becoming bored with the conventions and restrictions of a socialite's existence, she goes out on a “blind date' with her maid and cook. The feminine trio land at a rodeo show, and there Merle is paired with bronzed anc robust Gary Cooper, appearing as a cowboy hero of the golden west. The romance between the two is spiced with comedy and farce, and gallops on to an unexpected climax. Cooper, as the strong, silent type of hero, who drily sees through the sham and glitter of so-called cafe society, returns to the kind of role which first made him famous. Back in a ten-gallon hat, high-heeled boots, dungarees and roll-your-owns, he turns in his most stirring and dynamic performance to date. Merle Oberon, cast as a gay and witty modern of the upper crust, enriches her role with fine timing and a beautiful sense of comedy. The second leads are capably played by Patsy Kelly and Walter Brennan, who turn in some excellent comedy scenes. The story, penned by the practised hands of S. N. Behrman and Sonya Levien, moves along at a gay and rapid pace, and the authors have woven into their script strong emotional scenes of compelling and moving drama.