RIOTOUS FUN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 28, 3 February 1938, Page 3

RIOTOUS FUN

GEORGE FORMBY IN “KEP FIT” ; George Fo’rmby's series of riotous Screen successes has built up for him such popularity as an entertainer that this new picture, “Keep Fit,” which commences on Saturday of next weex at the Majestic Theatre, will be welcomed with enthusiasm by his legioi of admirers. And “Keep Fit” has been unanimously acclaimed “rormoy’s funniest film to date.” This time George is seen as a barber’s assistant with an unfortunate habit of cutting customer's chins, and a totally undeserved reputation as a cracK athlete. Force of circumstances and a pretty manicurist in the barber’s shop make it necessary for George to manage by hook or by crook to come up to expectations as an oarsman, swimmer, gymnasium expert, and champion boxer, fighting under the nom de plume of “i’he Battling Barber.” How George, with the help of a secret mascot, is put through his paces in a multitude of feats of prowess and marvellously emerges triumphant provide the meat of the story and roars of laughter for his audiences. Punctuating the laughs are three catchy comical song hits sung by George to his own accompaniment on the banjo mandolin. Anthony Kimmins wrote the story and also directed this A.T.P. production, which also has a notable supporting cast, including lovely Kay Walsh, Gus McNaughton, Edmond Breon, Hal Gordon and Leo Franklyn.

Madeleine Carroll’s nrtt picture when she gets back to Hollywood will be "The River is Blue.” That is the story by Clifford Odels which once had a Spanish background.

Disney Invents Camera. “Snow While and the Seven Dwarfs," Walt Disney’s first Lulllength picture, will not only be the first full-length animated production attempted by anyone, but will also introduce a new camera technique never before seen in animated pictures. The new camera, developed ! within the Disney plant at a cost of ! approximately £IS,UOU, is called the i multiplane and is responsible for tne I illusion of depth on Ihe screen. With ;this new invention the spectator will : be conscious of space between characIters and their ba.kgrouids just as he I is when watching a stage play. i Pomuls of Piaster. j Miriam Hopkins took ten pounds of en her head three times in I succession for scenes in RKO-Radio s I “Wise Giri" in whkh the cciliig of a | room is supposed to fall on. her. To | ensure that the plaster, which was | dropped irom abo>c her head just out I of camera range, wouid areak, a i:r.n I iron plate was lastcneu into tne |crown of the buicl which Miss Hopkins woi c in the ccnc. I low c\ <t, tne jar of l.i’ling plaster had to be taken :n much the sane? manner as a fighter • rolls Oil" a punch. “ ii. ee takes were necessary before Leigh Jason, the director, was sa‘ Mie-i. ' Simone Simon Sings. j When a star wim has alwa\s played (straight dramatic r-)le>, an:iui.;:ices I that she j.l going u- >mg, there is alj ways an extra chuckle. “Who •> go;ljg to du hei . ingiiig tor her"’’ ask the w i. e-aercs. That, is just what they I wanted to know when ihe hrs; an- • nouncement went out that Simone i Simon, star of “Girl..' Do. niitory" and ■ "Seventh Heaven," was going to sing I in her new 20th Century-box miLicai I ; m t i".i. Then there came the da\ !un ;he ■ when • to saig 110 jdillicult “Bell Son,’ Irum the ■ •■La'n.me," which only onuc betorc ha ; >ecn tried on the screen, and that I lime by Lily Pon.-. There were sc.:ci.J new.papcr and magazine ’a ho happened io De vu;i ng 1... tiuiio, seated in the movie night club where she was before the I. arncras. Her high, biting rup! ..no voice floated over the large set and those there were watching the birth |of a new singing actress.