FAMOUS COMEDIAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 61, 15 March 1943, Page 4

FAMOUS COMEDIAN

JOE E. BROWN IN N.Z. Wellington, MaAn 13. Famous for his large mouth and hie own special brand of comedy, the famous Hollywood screen comed ! an, Joe E. Brown, arrived by plane in Wellington yesterday on his mission of bringing diversion and entertainment to servicemen in battle areas. He is accompanied by Johnny Marvin, noted composer and singer of cowboy songs. A reception committee of civic and military leaders included Colonel L. D. Hermie, Chief of Staff of the United States Marine Corps forces here, Colonel John H. Nankivell, American Military Attache, and Captain J. P. Olding, United States Naval Attache. Within a remarkably short time after he stepped out of the plane the funny man was staging a show for the boys at an American hospital, and he barely paused for breath until late in the evening. His whirlwind programme for to-day and to-morrow will take him to as many centres as is humanly possible. His arrival in Wellington is the, latest stop on a tour which has car-, ried the movie star up the west coast, of the United States from Hollywood to Alaska, through the Aleutians.: across the Pacific to the New Hebrides, New Caledonia, and into the] sultry Solomons. The trip has now; continued two months beyond the length of its original planning. Of New Zealand. Brown had this to say: “Never anywhere have I met a more hospitable and gracious people. My visit has been the most] delightful experience one could' imagine.” During his entertainment for the boys, the comic remarked: "My one and onlv aim in visiting you fellows, is to get as many laughs out of you. as I can—and I don't care how wide I have to open ‘it’ to do it.” His shows for the boys consisted chiefly of gags, grimaces, and im-| promntu dancing. He did a take-ofCj on Hitler, joked about food rationing! in America, and poked continual fun] at his own amusing countenances After his act he walked through thej wards, shaking hands and joking with! the men who had been unable tot leave their beds for his performance.’