EXCELLENT VARIETY SHOW

Evening Star, Issue 21748, 16 June 1934, Page 20

EXCELLENT VARIETY SHOW

‘ ON THE AIR ’ AT ST. JAMES There have been many pictures dealing with musical shows of various kinds, but ‘ On the Air,' which had its initial screenings at the _ St. James Theatre yesterday, is a British production of a different type. , Nearly every British radio star of note does a turn in ‘ On the Air,’ the result being a variety show' produced by a company much more talented than can usually be got together for such an entertainment. There is a plot sufficient to hold the interest of the audience between items, and the humorous interludes that are provided make this picture excellent entertainment Dave Burnaby and Reginald PurdoJl are seen bidding farewell to the listeners and leaving the 8.8. C. building for a quiet holiday in the country, during which the word “ radio ” or anything connected with it must not bo mentioned.

Tho charms of the barmaid at the first village inn at which they stop compels them to linger there, and while they do they are recognised by the local vicar and placed on the programme for his charity concert. The concert is certainly a good one for a country village with Claphara and Dwyer, comedians; Teddy Brown playing tho saxophone, xylophone, and drums; .Wilson, Keppell, and Betty presenting an Egyptian scene that is the* most amusing item of all; Max Wall tap dancing; Mario Petro, playing the banjo; Harry Champion in an old-time turn, . ‘ Any Old Iron.’; and songs by Eve "Beck, Betty Astell, and Anona Winn. After the concert Burnaby and Purdell go to the local cabaret, where Roy Fox’s band is the attraction. Again they, are called, on for items, and_ are followed by other turns, Larry Devine’s acrobatic feats being particularly good. At the close of the evening they discover that the cabaret has been “ on the air ” and their holiday vows have been broken. _ 1 Those who like camera studies of wild life will consider that ‘ Tembi,’ the cinematograph record of a 1 trip through Central Africa, is in itself sufficient attraction for an intelligent audience. The views of wild animal life in Africa, are aS interesting as they are unusual, and not only does this picture _ show, some rare studies of the larger animals, lions, cheetahs, elephants, crocodiles, baboons, giraffes, and gazelles of various species, but it includes _ also some wonderful “ close-ups” of insect life, ants building their nests _ and locusts swarming in millions. This is a most instructive picture, and completes a fine programme which will be shown to-night and during tho week.#