STAGE COMEDIAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 91, 17 April 1936, Page 8

STAGE COMEDIAN.

JIM GERALD HERE.

WORLD TOUR COMPLETED.

CONTRACTS IN AUSTRALIA. Well-known to the legitimate stages of New Zealand and Australia, Jim Gerald, the famous comedian, and his wife, arrived in Auckland by the Mariposa this morning on their way back to Australia after a 14-montlis 5 world tour. He plaved in London and New Yoik. Hopes that towards the end of the year he would be able to come to New Zealand were expressed by the comedian, but he has picture contracts to be undertaken, both in Austra ha and America, befor that can come about. "Don't Spare the Horses ana "Shout for Joy" were the two musical shows which Mr. GeraM in London. The show business in England was booming, he said. It was remarkable how many shows opened ancl shut in a short time. Even a show in which Jack Buchanan was the star

opened and closed quickly. Another show in which Ramon Navarro and Doris Kenyon, the film stars, were the principals, closed down after one night. "They open and close like umbrellas," he said. "Shows are also booming in Germany," continued Mr. Gerald. "The people there seem to be a little subdued. Girls are not allowed to wear make up in the streets. Powder and lipstick are not known in the Germany of to-day."

Big Radio Fees. American show business was in a bad way. Radio and the "talkies" had "got" America. Amazing fees were paid for radio artists. Jack Bennie, one of the most popular radio stars in America, was paid 0000 dollars for a half-hour programme on a Sunday night. Of course his items were broadcast from a network of stations. Jack Hilton, the most famous band leader in England in recent years, also commanded an astonishing figure—something like £1000 an hour.

When Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Sirrive back in Australia they will open with a show in Melbourne. After that contract is completed Air. Gerald will make two pictures in Sydney—comedies. Comedy directors and story writers were being brought from America to make the. pictures, said the comedian. After that Mr. Gerald will go back to America, where he will make another picture in Hollywood. "We were doing well in England, but we got homesick," said Mr. Gerald. "Yes, homesick for the sunshine of our friends, for the friendliness of the audiences who say 'Hello, Jim.' We seemed to be playing among strangers in a strange land, and we longed to get home to find the warmth from audiences that you can't find anywhere bijt in Australia and New Zealand."

Mt. Gerald mentioned that he and his wife had been farewelled at Los Angeles by Miss Bathie Stewart, a well-known Aucklander, who is now a New Zealand Government publicity officer in California. She was a pre at ambassador for New Zealand, lie said. Famous Names. 4 Australia and New Zealand* were catered for in the show business much better and much cheaper than anywhere in the world, said Mr. Gerald. The last time Mr. Gerald went round the world was in 1925. At that time the names of George Robey, Bobby Howes and Leslie Hanson were famous in London, just as Eddie Cantor, A 1 .Tolson and Ted ileeley were famous in New York. Those names were still famous. It was just the same in Australia, where Jim Gerald, George Wallace and Boy Bene ("Mo") had kept the flag flying for years. When the same names were carried 011 without change it demonstrated how loyal the public were to their old favourites. No matter how good the newcomer was, he did not have a chance.