The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-02-02
Twner,Lamas
Give ClalnOr
To Musical

Franz Lehar's famous musical
romance, "Tfe Merry Widow. .
VIII be brought to the Monroe
screen Thursday IN a vibrant and
Opulent Technicolor production,
starring Lana Turner and the ro-
msnAe new finn personality, Fer.
nando Lamas. It's haunting songs,
sumptuous settings and costumes,
IT. brilliant staging Of the memor-
able merry Widow Waltz" and
other lavish production numbers
and, last but not least, the impas-
stoned love affair which permea4es
the story, make for a motion pic.
ture which not only provides effec-
tive escapist entertainment but is
. delight to eye and ear.
This Is the tale Of the young and
beautiful Crystal Rodek (Lana
Turner), American widow q a
multimillionaire native q the
mythical kingdom Of Marshoyia.
Crystal has been invited to Mar
shOyia ostensibly to dedicate a
statue 10 her late husband, but
actually to save the country from
bankruptcy through a hoped for
marriage 30 the dashiHlg Court
Danilo Fernando Lamasl. The
Count ID loathe to carry out has
part IN this scheme, particularly
when he mistakes Crystals dour
secretary, Kitty, for the wealthy
forces him to press an ardent II
hypocritical suit. Crystal, discover
ing DaniiO's mercenary motive, re-
solves 10 teach him q lesson. She
leaves for Paris and when she is
pursued b. Danilo, poses an an
impoverished American chorus
girl. Il Is at a brilliant scene at the
famous Maxim's that the Count de-
ciares his passion for the CHORUS
girl and then finds himself in the
tragic predicament Of having to re-
n0lnce her for the rich girl whom
he does not love. Since this is q
light hearted musical drama, its
predicaments are unfolded with q
tongue-in-cheek seriousness and
are brought to a satisfactory con-
clusion amid laughs, kisses, song
and dance.
The cOle Of the MERRY Widow"
k q made-to-order one for the
voluptuouS Lana Turner. Dressed
10 the hilt in an arresting array
OF costumes (among them q black
hourgIass corset with chiffon
trainl), Miss Turner Is not only
stunning looking in Technicolor
hues but brings afyibrant warmth
TO her love scenes and an engag-
ing hllmor to the episodes In which
she hoodwinks her mercenary adj
mirer. Fernando Lamas Is equally
effective in the role OF the amor
Gus Daniio. He has the handsome
looks and daShing personality Of
the late John Gilbert, who appeared
IN a silent version of THE Merry
Widow" and he has N addition a
brilliant singing voice. It is to La
mas that the brunt Of the songs m
the beautiful FAM Lehar score
falls. He sings "Girls, Girls, Girls, ~
"Vilia,n ''Maxim's" and might, ;"
with Miss Turner joining him in the
sequence IN which they perform
the haunting waltz, one of the pic
lures outstanding production num-
bers.
The amusing Una Merkel adds
10 the the gaiety in the role Of the
sardonic secretary, Kitty, and
others who lend admirable support
include Richard Haydn as the vol
atile Baron Popon, MarshoyianI
ambassador in Paris, Thomas Co
mez as the King, John Abbot, Lisa
Ferraday and Ludwig StoSsel. The
lavish touches which Producer Joe
PaSternak gives all his film musi-
Gals are again on display in "The
Merry Widow" and Curtis Bern
hardt has given the picture witty
and discerning direction. It IS oneI
Of the years best.