RIOTOUS FUN

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22656, 10 March 1939, Page 5

RIOTOUS FUN

Music Hall Tradition in “All’s Button Afloat’’

The popular and familiar story of Aladdin’s lamp, modernised—which is to say complete with “wisecracks,” beer in kegs, and sailors who want any women but their own wives—is brought to the screen in “Alf’s Button Afloat,” without doubt one of the most hilarious

comedies that have ever been produced by British studios. It begins to-day at the Crystal Palace, after two crowded weeks at the Civic. “Alf’s Button Afloat” is one of the few films which preserve the traditions of the English music-hall stage. The story centres on the activity of the “Crazy Gang,” which comprises Flanagan and Allen, well known on New Zealand radio programmes, Nervo and Knox, Naughton and Gold, music hall stars, and Alafetair Sim is the Genie of the Lamp. The button, of course, is made frpm the brass of Aladdin’s lamp,' and has come into AU’g possession after centuries, during which llie Genie lias been sleeping. Alf and his gang, who are in the marines on board the Invicta,.are slow to realise the magic properties of the button, which each is more than ready to pass on to the other because it is dirty and meets the sergeant’s eye. Even when the Genie appears and mistakes Alf’s oath for “Stripe me pink,” Alf does not know of the treasure he possesses. The pink stripes that appear on his face cause an epidemic scare, and a sensation in the fleet. Eventually the slave of the piece of brass explains his purpose, and the first thing that the crazy gang wishes for is beer. One bier, old Egyptian style, arrives on the scene. The gang puts its head together to figure how “beer” can be explained- to the rusticated Genie. Pantomime of elbow-lifting solves the problem, and gallons of liquor are on the spot. Women come next, and with nectar and houris the mess room is soon a shambles. The sergeant no longer bothers the gang; as long as they can lay Alf’s hands on the button, that is. Adventures follow- quickly, and the Genie comes to the aid of LieutenantHardy, who in his turn comes gladly to the aid of the captain’s daughter. The Genie is only too pleased to aid romance. The gang has had beer and houris.