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Rio Rita (1929) (DVD)

Made To Order DVD :: Standard Edition

  • Rating:    
    Available Date: 12/1/09

  • Ziegfeld made ’em big. So the film version of his Rio Rita matched the showman’s grandeur with a musical that adhered to the source and earned kudos as “one of the best of the [Talkie Era’s] Broa... More
  • Important Note: This film has been manufactured from the best-quality video master currently available and has not been remastered or restored specifically for this DVD and Digital Download release. Click here to preview this film's video quality.
  • Ships to U.S. Destinations Only
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Price: $19.95 $14.96 (save 25%)

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  • Studio: RKO RADIO PICTURES
  • Screen Aspect: 4 X 3 FULL FRAME
  • Run Time: 102 minutes
  • Packaging Type: Amaray Case
  • Copyright:

    Rio Rita © 1929 Turner Entertainment Co. Package Design © 2009 Turner Entertainment Co. and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.

  • Genre: Musicals

Synopsis:

Ziegfeld made ’em big. So the film version of his Rio Rita matched the showman’s grandeur with a musical that adhered to the source and earned kudos as “one of the best of the [Talkie Era’s] Broadway adaptations” (Ethan Mordden, The Hollywood Musical). Bebe Daniels (often a Harold Lloyd co-star) plays Rita, wooed by a singing Texas Ranger (John Boles) who suspects her brother may be a notorious bandito. Meanwhile, a lawyer tries to arrange a divorce for a client who has (oops) two wives. Put the storylines together (somehow), add the wow of two-strip Technicolor for the lengthy finale aboard a pirate river barge, include lavish sets and the guffaws provided by Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey (reprising their stage roles) and Rio Rita was ready to – and did – pack audiences in!

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Review Snapshot® by PowerReviews
Rio Rita (1929) (DVD)
Avg. Customer Rating:
 
4 stars
(based on 5 reviews)
100% of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Customers most agreed on the following attributes:

Pros:
Entertaining (5)
Best Uses:
At home (3)
Describe Yourself:
Movie buff (4)
Reviewed by 5 CustomersSort by:
Displaying Reviews 1-5 of 5Back to Top
 
Excellent Copy
By gmanfredVerified Reviewer from Ramsey N.J. on 10/19/2011
Pros:
Entertaining, Good music, Historical Value
Cons:
Limited Appeal, Primitive Presentation, Very Stagey
Best Uses:
Adult Viewers, Movie Groups
Describe Yourself:
Movie Buff
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Rio Rita (1929) (DVD):

The DVD I received was great. The film itself has limited appeal, made in 1929. Great music, a great comedy team but the film amounts to a filmed stage play, and the story is goofy. But if you are an avid film fan, "Rio Rita" is a must, if only to see one of Zeigfeld's most successful Broadway shows. Unfortunately, 1929 is a long time ago.

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Wow...innovative for it's time!
By MJVerified Reviewer from SD on 3/24/2011
Pros:
Entertaining, Funny, Original Idea
Best Uses:
Adult Viewers, At Home, Younger Viewers
Describe Yourself:
Movie Buff
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Rio Rita (1929) (DVD):

We found this very entertaining and innovative for the year it was made. The technicolor at the end wowed us and were surprised at the elaborate costumes and settings for such an early film...very fun to watch.

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Two plots going. One confusing. One FUNN
By SteveinPhilly from Philadelphia, PA on 6/20/2010
Pros:
Engaging Characters, Entertaining, Great tap dancing s, GREAT Wheeer Woolsey, Rare technicolor portion
Cons:
Confusing plot, Poor Plot Development, Some boring songs
Best Uses:
Example of vaudeville, Film buffs only
Describe Yourself:
Avid Moviegoer
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Rio Rita (1929) (DVD):

The plot about the robber is silly and confusing. THEN W&W come on and all is well. Then there are some snappy tap dancing numbers and it gets even better.

It's great that this film is available on DVD but it is more directed to the real film buff (and of course W&W fans)

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Wheeler and Woolsey's film debut
By CinemaodysseyVerified Reviewer from San Diego, CA on 2/12/2010
Pros:
Entertaining, Historical
Cons:
Poor Plot Development, Unnecessary Songs
Best Uses:
At Home
Describe Yourself:
Movie Buff
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Rio Rita (1929) (DVD):

I purchased this for the sole reason that it is the film debut of a personal favorite comedy team: Wheeler & Woolsey. The film itself shows it's age on quite a few levels, specifically with its stagy musical numbers and laughable romantic subplot. Wheeler and Woolsey emerge unscathed...in fact, their performance (and a wonderful Technicolor finale) save the film from obscurity. I truly hope that Warner Archive chooses to make available Wheeler and Woolsey's other films, which happen to be much, much better.

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[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

 
REMARKABLY GOOD
By BWB2reelVerified Reviewer from HOUSTON,TX on 12/27/2009
Pros:
Engaging Characters, Entertaining
Best Uses:
At Home
Describe Yourself:
Movie Buff
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Rio Rita (1929) (DVD):

Historically funny for it's time period. Great escapism as it were and entertaining as today! Not much has changed, "can you spare a dime buddy?"

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Displaying Reviews 1-5 of 5Back to Top