Grade Fields in “Keep Smiling”

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 174, 26 July 1939, Page 11

Grade Fields in “Keep Smiling”

STORY OF TOURING VAUDEVILLE TROUPE (State: Screening Friday.) Surrounded by a gay cast, in a story bubbling with happiness, Grade Fields gives the performance of her career in ‘ ‘ Keep Smiling. 4 'Keep Smiling 77 is the story of a touring village troupe, led by Gracie Fields, their guide, i>hilosopker and very truo friend. She loads them in revolt against a crooked manager, takes them to her grandfather's farm where their open-air rehearsals startle even the cows, and eventually lands them in the top spot among seaside carnival shows.

A long supporting cast provides uniformly excellent performances. Lovely Mary Maguire, brought from Hollywood to play the part of Avis, the troupe’s soubrette; Roger Livesey, London stage star, who appears as Gracie’s devoted admirer and at last, husband; Jack Donohue, tap-dancing star, who plays the role of Denis, conceited partner of Avis; the screen’s most lovable dog star, “Skippy” as tho dog who causes a lot of happiness and almost as much trouble; Fcter Coke, rising young star of the West End stage, who plays romantic lead opposite Mary Maguire, and peppery Edwards Rigby, remembered as Robert Taylor’s scout in “A Yank at Oxford,” who appears as Gracie’s grandfather.

Thcro is a feast of music in this refreshingly happy film tonic. Gracie Fields sings, as only she can, a wide variety of numbers, from “The Holy City,” sung in a village church, to the riotous comedy number “Mrs Binns 7 Twins,” which she sings in a concert party sequence.