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Rio Rita Review:
Although Hollywood in the early years was notorious for buying a hit Broadway musical and jettisoning most of the score for the film, Rio Rita, one of the earliest stage musical adaptations, is remarkably faithful. It's an odd hybrid of musical comedy and operetta (and not really successful as either), and it's undoubtedly creaky and primitive to modern audiences. Its stage origins are very clear, as there is not enough effort made to take the play's scenes and reconfigure them for the screen, although there is some location shooting that helps open up the piece. There are also some very disconcerting moments when the sound very clearly does not match what is being sung onscreen (as in "The Rangers' Song.") The script is so much nonsense, but the score is attractive. Most importantly, Bebe Daniels brings life, vitality and ingenuity to the film, carrying much of the picture all by herself; the woman clearly knows what kind of commitment is necessary to make a musical work. John Boles is less effective as her paramour, seeming frequently ill-at-ease. Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey will likely provoke differing reactions -- many will enjoy the chance to see legendary comedians like this at work, while others will find their humor dated if not occasionally offensive. Extravagantly produced, Rita is an interesting curio with a star performance that helps overcome its many weak spots. Craig Butler, All Movie Guide