“OLD BILL & SON”

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3111, 27 April 1942, Page 5

“OLD BILL & SON”

ACE COMEDY SUCCESS BREEZY ? ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME AT THE REGENT Soaked in the spirit and humour which carries British soldiers through war’s difficult situations and- freely embroidered with all sorts of behind-the-lines activity, “Old Bill & Son,” which stars Bruce Bairnsfather’s world famous character, Old Bill, will be serened at the Regent Theatre tonight and Tuesday. Not just another war picture, supercharged with guns and shells, this production gets- off the beaten track. It presents the human side of war; it takes- you into the private life of the' British soldier before he is called .up, shows you how war affects him —■ and ftis .wife and family—takes y° u tb France with him.

It shows you the scenes in the es-.ta-mihet; the scrounging for food and the friendly? bickering over girls, and an intensely dramatic ‘ night raid on a German position forms one of the most exciting endings possible.. In the hands of Morland Graham, Old-Bill, as fh'illions knew him in the last war, comes to ‘ life. Captain Bairnsfather himself spent many weeks sorting out hundreds of, applicants who thought they could play the part.

John Mills, as his swaggering Cockney son, Young Bill, gives a remarkably fine performance; Old Bill’s wife, Maggie, dogged but homely, is a*part which is uncannily suited to the talents of Mary Clare, one of Britain’s premier actresses. As the stepdaughter who joins the,ftA.T.S., Rene Ray is .pert and attractive, besides being ,an exceptionally clever •actress. •

Scotland’s Renee Houston, who gave many concerts to the troops, plays just-, that part—a variety artiste entertaining soldiers near the front line; and Janine Darcey, making her‘second appearance in British films—remember her in ' “French .Without-Tears’’?—is the local “talent” in the French village where Old Bill, his son and step-daughter and ‘many other qiieer people meet. A x

jolly good show is put up by Roland Culver as the “old school tie” colonel, who is also of “French Without Tears” fame.