Paul Newlan "Cocoanut Grove, which had its first performances at the Grand Theatre yesterday, is a story of a dance band which sets out from CI cage to "make" one of Hollywood's favourite night-spots, the "famous Cocoanut Grove at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. After eight thousand feet or so of film they make it. Lack of action spoilt what might have been an otherwise excellent production, and even the tuneful melody ies of Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians failed to atone for deficiencies in production. As the band leader, Mr. Fred MacMurray gave a fair performance, but in his favour it must be said that he had little scope throughout the picture to produce any' signs of the ability which he undoubtedly possesses. Miss Har-net Billiard, too, was not given much chance to prove her worth, and her performance was as good as the story -allowed it to be. Also featured are the Yacht Club Boys, a companion set to the Ritz Brothers, Mr. Ben Blue, Mr. Rufe Davis and' Master Billy Lee. "There were enough excellent individual musicians, singers and comedians in "Cocoanut Grove" to have ensured the success of the film and it is surprising why the producers foiled to realize this fact before drafting the plot, which lacked any coherent background. In support to the main film are a news reel and a Popeye cartoon.—n.s.
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