Rumba (1935)

By CinemaSerf

I usually liked Carole Lombard but she seems a little fish-out-of-water in this rather confused romantic drama. She ("Diana") is visiting Cuba when she espies dancer "Joe" (George Raft). He's hardy a charmer but there are a few sparks before she tires of his attitude and heads back to New York. With his tail between his legs a little, he follows her there and the rest of this unremarkable drama follows the ups and downs of their temperamental romance, her relationship with fiancé "Hobart" (a competent Monroe Owsley) whilst engaging in two or three really quite extended dance sequences - especially towards the conclusion. There's not a jot of chemistry on display here from anyone and even the latin dance routines comes across more as damp squibs drawn out to fill screen time than the fiery and passionate affairs that are supposed to get temperatures rising and hearts fluttering. Indeed, sadly, the only things that may flutter here will be eyelids as you struggle to stay interested in this disappointing film. Lombard does show up, she puts effort in and that sometimes works - it's just her lacklustre co-star who just doesn't fit the bill so well.