A GOWN OF SPANISH LACE

Abducted by bandits, Ariana is held prisoner and guarded by young Laramie. Meanwhile, the "boss" waits for trouble to erupt around the girl, hoping that the boy will be forced to act "like a man" and defend her. It's all very predictable. The stock characters, shooting, spitting, cursing, and waving guns around, are right our of an old Hollywood movie. The damsel in distress prays with the fervor of a painted saint. Conceivably, a more intelligent reading could save this story from bathos, but the callow monotone of Emily Welsh, combined with some ludicrous mispronunciations, only exacerbates the cardboard characters and trite expressions. Only dedicated Oke fans need apply. S.B.S. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 01]