"FUNZ-A-POPPIN"

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 145, 22 June 1939, Page 3

"FUNZ-A-POPPIN"

ENTERTAINING REVUE NEW AMERICAN COMPANY Few revue companies to visit Wanganui have included as many noted artists as Sir Benjamin Fuller’s presentation “Funz-a-Poppin,” which will be staged at the Majestic Theatre on July 6 and 7. The programme is headed by the fascinating “Salici’s Parisian Puppets,” a marionette show which was greeted with enthusiasm in London, Paris and New York. These puppets are so dexterously manipulated that they appear almost to live, singing, dancing and performing acrobatic feats like accomplished human performers. The popular comedian Bobbie Morris, who contributed largely to the success of the recent “Hollywood Hotel Revue,” will appear with the company of “Funz-a-Poppin” as the leading comedian, and he is to present several new and highly-amusing

sketches in his inimitable style. Further bright comedy will be provided by Ross and Edwards, who appeared in shows sponsored by the famous Florenz Ziegfeld. Loretta Grey, described as the “Pepper Pot Comedienne,” and Tommy “Bozo” Snyder, a clever interpreter of pantomime, who will present a type of humour rarely seen in Wanganui. The Van Twin, give a number of pleasing songs and dances. Added attractions are the Carr Brothers and Betty, formerly of the Radio City Music Hall in New York, Jack Bickle, the acrobatic dancer, who performs some almost incredible feats, and Green and Lang, the well-known vocal duettists. Shirley Temple’.; Next Film. Richard Greene and Anita Louise head supporting cast as the romantic leads in Shirley Temple's, next. film. “The Little Princess," while others prominently featured are lan Hunter, Cesar Romero, Arthur Treacher, Sybil Jason, Miles Mander and Beryl Mercer.

Robert Sherwood's comedy, "The Road to Rome,” has been bought for Clark Gable and Myrna Loy. * * * • Beard Starts Controversy. Ever since Republic started making “Man of Conquest,” the first screen dramatisation of the life of Sam Houston, starring Richard Dix, Gail Patrick, Joan Fontaine and Edward Ellis, a stream of letters has been pouring into the studio asking Director George Nicholls to stick to facts. And in particular, letters ask that Richard Dix, who plays the role of Sam Houston, be given a board to wear in the picture. No film hero within living memory has worn a beard and still retained roman’ic ardour for picture fans. However, the day is saved for Republic. Sam Houston sported no beard according to pictures and prints in possession of the Research Department, until long after annexation in 1845. “Man of Conquest” covers the period from Houston's earliest days in Tennessee until annexation.

Fred Astaire's £2OOO a Week. Fred Astaire is to star with Eleanor Powell in “Broadway Melody of 1940,” at a salary of £2OOO a week. * ♦ ♦ • Realism Plus. More than £250,000 worth of genuine jewels was daily brought to the Columbia set of “There's That. Woman Again” by armoured car and j nightly returned at 5.30 o’clock to the jeweller’s vault. The gems, including | rare diamond ensembles, were used to | dress realistically the exclusive “Nacelle Jewellery Company” store which figures importantly in the story. Arrangements for renting the rare jewellery stock, as well as for the armoured transportation car and special set guards, were made by the •studio officials with Laykin et Cia, I the exclusive Hollywood jewellers. I “There’s That Woman Again,” direct- | nd by Alexander Hall and co-.starring I Melvyn Douglas and Virginia Bruce, is being filmed as a sequel to Columbia's * I successful “There’s Always a I Woman.’’