The Washington times., 1935-10-12
Martini, Macdonald, Godfrey
In Three-Star Fox Bill

day: A bill overflowing with at
fractions to please every type o.
amusement seeker.
For lovers of opera-the cinema
debuts of Nino Martini anC
Madame Schumann-Heink.
For sports devotees-the per
sonal appearance of genial anC
jovial Arch Mcdonald.
If you're a radio fan-there'!
the pleasant Arthur Godfrey. Anc
If you prefer the perennial Jazz
combined with really fast step
ping and hot chanting, a genuine
treat awaits you with as speedy
and talented vaudeville unit a.
ever pounded upon F Street.
Some Grand Singing
Maybe Martini was the box
office magnet that tempted the
crowds all day. More likely it was
those two local boys in person
Godfrey and Mcdonald. But re
gardlesS Of who it was, every Gus
toner witnessed bang-up entertain
ment on both stage and screen
and couldn't possibly have felt
cheated, no matter which celebrity
drew him in.
Serving as a vehicle to show off
a renowned Metropolitan Opera
tenor, Here's To Romance" in
every way does the job. Martini
sings and sings, practically every
number winning round Of audi.
ence applause. (Sorry, but you're
no longer exclusive in this respect,
Grace Moore and Fred Astaire)
Arias from "Pagliacci" and
"Tosca" were the biggest ovation
getters, but a selection from
"Manon' and the lively "Locket
Of Gold were also favorites. There
are several other lyric gems and a
lifting theme song bearing the
pictures title.
ErneStine Schumann-H -Heink
brings a grand personality to the
screen, the most ingratiating and
heartwarming since beloved Marie
DreSSler. She renders a German
tune in deep, rich cASntralto,
proving she can still deliver. 1t
also brings forth audience hand
claps.
The pictures story is not a new
one. We have the struggling
tenor sponsored by a lady of
wealth to spite her wealthy mate
who likes to financially aid ambi.
tious youngsters Of the opposite
sex. There's a marital mix-up
when friend husband starts tax
ing a deep interest in the aspiring
tenor'S sweetheart. But it all ends
with a beautiful fade-out at the
Metropolitan Opera House. Pretty
difficult to frame a novel plot for
grand opera personalities.
Lovely Stage Show
Maria Gambarelli and Vincente
EScudero touch notes of prestige
in two short dance numbers.
Madame Schumann-Heink plays
herself. Anita Louise and Gene
We've Tobin aid pictorially and
histrionically. Reginald Denny
also helps along.
Now for a rouSing send-off to
those two local celebS, Godfrey
and Mcdonald and their talent
studded assistants on the stage
Arthur leads his band of 13 Little
Godfreys in couple of familiar
dance tunes. He introduces in an
amiable and encouraging manner
the speciality artists brought down
from Broadway. He sings and
clowns with Nell Kelly, eccentric
comedienne, and gets mauled up
plenty. Watch out. Arthur. With
that Kelly rough-house routine
four times a day, you may not be
able to last the week out.
Arch Mcdonald is as pleasing
a parsonage as you'd want to
meet whether he's replacing Phil
Lampkin in the pit for a grand
finale stunt, swapping jokes with
Godfrey (Some of these punS
could be improved or reciting
serio-comic poems alone. In the
parlance of his concentrating, he
scored with a home run.
Tom and Betty Wonder, crack
sister and brother dance team;
Ray SAKE, playing the Saxophone,
spinning a lariat and dancing