Review of The Girl from Rio

This is brisk Monogram Feature,competently directed, within limited resources, by Lambert Hillyer Movita Castaneda is the Girl in question,as Marquita Romero,an aspiring Singer in Rio,who,on the verge of her big musical breakthrough,is diverted upon hearing the news that her brother Carlos has been arrested in New York,on a (false) charge of arson and a resultant death. She flies to the USA,to meet with the sender of the cable,Carlos' new Wife(Adele Pearce). Steven(Warren Hull),Marquita's boyfriend,follows her North to assist! With his help,and that of a Lawyer friend, and an interested Insurance Investigator,Marquita gains a singing spot at the new Nightclub of the main suspect,the owner of the premises,whose actions were responsible for her Brother's predicament! Marquita finds evidence of both the arson and the Insurance fraud,but is trapped by the criminals involved. However,her message(In Spanish!) for help whilst singing a few minutes earlier brings welcome timely assistance from both Steven and the Investigator!! Pretty heroine Movita sings three pleasant songs in the movie,including the catchy "Singing Burro"(Really!) She possibly should have had a better Hollywood career. Although of Hispanic origin,she found herself playing Polynesian maidens in several Films,including "Mutiny on the Bounty"(1935),"The Hurricane"(1937) and as the lead in the interesting "Paradise Isle"(1937),again with Warren Hull. "Girl from Rio" is a very watchable "B" movie,with a decent supporting cast and a simple but sensible screenplay.