GRACIE FIELDS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 289, 7 December 1939, Page 11

GRACIE FIELDS

SOLDIERS' FAVOURITE SINGING IN THE RAIN Gracie Fields astounded Frenchmen by standing on a pavement in the rain and singing lor 20 minutes to hundreds of cheering Tommies who had recognised her while she was walking along a street in France. 111, and on her way to Italy to rest and sunshine, she insisted on singing for the troops. She gave one concert and afterwards went shopping, when she was recognised by two soldiers. Immediately she was surrounded by a cheering, whistling crowd above which her voice rose in “Sing As We Go.” The soldiers joined in the chorus and then came “The Biggest Aspidistra in the World,” including the lines “They’re going to string old Hitler to .the very highest branch!" An hour later she gave her second concert to an audience of 2500, which included generals, who joined in the choruses. Keen interest is being displayed by Wanganui theatregoers in the new Western Electric Microphonic sound system installed at the Majestic Theatre, where the first demonstration will be given tomorrow with “Broadwaj- Serenade.”

Jean Cagney, sister of James Cagney, is to have the feminine lead in “Campus Wives.” Gordon Bolitho, author of a book and many short stories and also brother of the famous Hector, has been asked to do a series of lectures at American women’s clubs this coming winter. He is a New Zealander; he comes from Auckland. Before going abroad he was a chorus boy in Williamson productions.