WILL HAY IN NEW COMEDY

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22804, 1 September 1939, Page 5

WILL HAY IN NEW COMEDY

Double-Feature Programme For Mayfair

Will Hay’s new film, “Hey! Hey! U.5.A.,” beginning to-day at the Mayfair, takes the form of a laughterconvention between England and the United States. Uncontrollable mirth resounds on both sides of the Atlantic when this famous star joins forces with America’s “slow-burn” comedy man, Edgar Kennedy, in shooting the wisecracks round in the heart of Chicagp’s gangsterland. The hilarious results of Will Hay’s introduction to American family life, his skirmishes with rival gangs and his uproarious exploits in the sky-scraping chimney stack of a disused distillery must be seen to be believed. .... “Hey! Hey! U.S.A. boasts a strong cast of supporting players, among whom are David Bums and Eddie Ryan as the notorious gangsters, Fred Duprez, Paddy Reynolds, Arthur Goullet, Gibb McLaughlin, and Eddie Pola. The associate feature in this double feature programme is “The Edge of the World,” a film made entirely on the island of Foula, on the edge of the Shetland Isles. Michael Powell, director of this new Joe Rock production, “The Edge of the World,” starring Niall MacGinriis' and Belle Chrystall, has many strange but true to. life stories to tell of the making of this picture. The film, in which the islanders take part, is a finely conceived and beautifully photographed drama depicting their grim struggle to exist on the barren little island beaten by storxnyL-seas. ~ a sincere 1 and

natural production it is claimed to rank with the memorable “Man of Aran.” There -are only nine professional actors in the film; the others are all the inhabitants of the lonely island, 100 in number. Mr Powell says: “There was no bathroom on the island sO the scheme was to use the one on the Vedra, the supply ship, which was usually anchored off the island. Owing to the lack of a harbour, she always bad steam up ready to clear out for Shetland in case of a change of wind. This_frequently happened. After the third member of the company bad been carried off to Shetland while having a good scrub, we imported hip-baths,” John Payne, who has not been in a picture since he roused enthusiasm in “Wings of tbe Navy,” has the namepart in “Kid Nightingale,” story about a boxer who can sing. * * » Margaret Sullavan’s next picture is now said to be “The Canteryille Ghost,” from the story by Oscar Wilde. * • • Hal Roach is trying to persuade Aline MacMahon to go back to Hollywood for a part in “Housekeeper’s Daughter." Her last film, “Back Door to Heaven,” was made in New York. * * * A: cabaret singer called Del Casino has been chosen by Edward Small for the title role in “The Life of Rudolph ■ - . .