GENE AUTRY WESTERN

Evening Star, Issue 23497, 10 February 1940, Page 19

GENE AUTRY WESTERN

NEW CHILD STAR IN SUPPORT The rousing action in ‘ Git Along, Little Bogies,’ which was commenced at the Strand yesterday, shows Gene Autry falsely branded as a “ doublecrosser.” Gentlemanly creed forbids hitting a lady, even though she unwarrautedly slaps a man. But there are other methods of retaliation, as Gene Autry shows. In ‘ Git Along,, Little Bogies ’ Judith Allen and Autry are hostile to each other, in one scene the lovely Miss Allen drives her auto square through a large puddle, spattering Autry with mud. Autry pursues her and forces her to stop driving byshooting a tyre flat. TJie angry girl then has words with Autry, and out of a clear sky soundly slaps Gene’s face. The polite Mr Autry simply whips out his gnu and shoots another tyre flat. Enraged, MisS Allen winds up for another slap, but is stopped when Autry calmly aims his weapon at one of the remaining good tyres. This episode is only one, of many that add to the enjoyment of ‘ Git Along, Little Bogies.’ Smiley Burnette, the Maple City Four, well-known radio team, and Willie Fung are included in an effective supporting east. Seven tunes, including three original songs, add to the attraction of the programme.- ‘ Stepping Toes,’ which supports, presents first-class entertainment that cannot fall to appeal to all types of audiences. First, comes nine-year-old Hazel Ascot,; brilliant little star, who portrays the leading role. Her tap dancing is phenomenal; in point of fact, she won the all-England dancing championship for children in 1935 and 1930 without losing a single mark. She also sings a song, and her acting is natural and free from precocity, whilst her personality is winning. And with such stars as Enid Stamp Taylor, Jack Barty, Wilson Coleman, Ernest Butcher, Gerry Fitzgerald, Billy Thornburn, Alfredo Campoli, and an abundance of juvenile talent supporting Hazel Ascot excellent entertainment is provided. The story tells of Bob Burnham". (Wilson Coleman), 70-year-old owner of Burnham’s Fair, whose only daughter Cecily (Enid Stamp Taylor) broke with tradition to leave the fair and marry a successful barrisier. Hazel Warrington (Hazel Ascot), in ignorance of her romantic origin and despite her mother’s disap-

proval, spends most of lier timo dancing, and eventually lier parents, deciding that their child was born to dance, become reconciled with the idea and reunite with Bob Bumliam. They eventually finance a show produced by Bob, in which Haste I proves 'a great success and worthy to carry ou the Burnham stage tradition. Musical numbers especially written by Kennedy lltissell range from, romantic ballads in period costume to nursery rhymes, and the. picture, directed by John Baxter, is released by Atlas Films.