Rumba ** (1935, George Raft, Carole Lombard, Lynne Overman, Margo, Monroe Owsley, Iris Adrian, Gail Patrick) – Classic Movie Review 7976

In a slightly limping follow-up to their previous year’s dance-themed romantic hit Bolero, George Raft and Carole Lombard re-team as a Cuban New York dancer, Joe Martin, and bored society heiress, Diana Harrison, who romance after they both win a Cuban lottery with the same ticket. Gangsters threaten Joe (Raft)’s life and Diana (Lombard) dances on stage to rumba with him when his partner refuses to go on.

Director Marion Gering’s 1935 Paramount Pictures romantic drama Rumba could have been a lot of fun, but the pleasure is damped thanks to an unbelievable yarn told with some not-so-completely nimble performances, even from these two pleasing, welcome stars and from the good star support team of Margo, Lynne Overman, Monroe Owsley, Iris Adrian, Gail Patrick and Samuel S Hinds.

Jane Wyman (as a Chorus Girl) was then Sarah Jane Fulks. Also in the cast are Jameson Thomas, Soldedad Jimenez, Paul Porcasi, Virginia Hammond, Richard Alexander, Hooper Aitchley, Brooks Benedict, James P Burtis, Rafael Corio, Donald Gray, E H Calvert, Mack Gray, Frank Mills, Dennis O’Keefe, Jack Raymond, Craig Reynolds, Dick Rush, Buddy Shaw, Ann Sheridan (as a Chorus Girl), Rafael Storm, Charles Sullivan, Akim Tamiroff, Dennis O’Keefe (as a Man in Diana’s Party at Theatre) and Bruce Warren.

Sheridan made 31 films in her first two years in the movies (1934-35), mostly unbilled or billed as Clara Lou Sheridan.

The screenplay by Howard J Green, Frank Partos and Harry Ruskin is based on a story by Guy Endore and Seena Owen.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7976

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