THE NEW PROGRAMMES

Evening Star, Issue 23693, 28 September 1940, Page 19

THE NEW PROGRAMMES

DANCING STAR POIGNANT EAST END STORY Nine years is not a very long period in which to achieve stardom, but Hazel Ascot who has been making a name for herself in the dancing wprld of England, recently carried off a championship in tap dancing, and since her first venture on the screen has had a film career predicted for the future. From her.first appearance in ‘Talking Feet/ which had its South Island premiere yesterday at the St. James, she becomes a great favourite with the audience, as she has definite acting ability, a vivacious smile, a truly natural personality, and a true, clear, singing voice to add to the intricate tapping of her feet / This little dancer, on her way to a rehearsal, opens the story by becoming involved in a motor accident, with little harm to herself, but more damage, to her dog Patch. A doctor sees the accident, and it all brings to light the needy state of an old East End hospital, which, like most hospitals in Loudon, is dependent upon public subscription for its upkeep. The child’s father and a group of her friends decide to band together and do something in the way of financial aid, without which the hospital must cease to carry on its good work. That is the simple course of events which brings about the “ big show,” with all its famous artists, and which, of course, gives Hazel Ascot the opportunity to show the world what she can do with her feet.

A large portion of the story is set, and actually photographed in the colourful and historic East End of London, with its busy markets, its fish and fruit barrows, and its cheery Cockney inhabitants. Cockney 'comedians bob in and out the story, and spread their own natural humour whenever they appear. There are three main comedians among the Cockney brotherhood, but others have their special line of chat, always with a smile, a friendly nod of the head, and a typical jerk of the thumb. _ It is the old story of the human interest created by character actors in the right setting for their parts that makes the Cockney players one of the most appealing features of ‘ Talking Feet,’