AMUSEMENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19988, 13 July 1939, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

KING'S THEATRE “12 CROWDED HOURS" ASH “INSIDE STORY": LAST DAY The action-packed double feature programme, "12 Crowded Hours, starring Richard Dix, and "Inside Story," starring Michael Whalen and Chick Chandler, will conclude a season at the King's Theatre to-night. Doth are thrilling newspaper reporter stories. —Gracic Fields in “Keep Smiling," Musical Comedy: To-morrow — Gracie Fields has never given her millions of followers a greater least of fun than she does in her second 20th Century-Fox release. "Keep Smiling," which opens a throe-dav season at. the King's Theatre to-mor-row. From the first riotous moment, when we meet her as a burlesque "Tommy,” having dilliculty with her uniform, to the last triumphant scene at a luxury beach pavilion, she is the life- and soul of the 'brightest of screen parties. TVlonty Banks, director of Miss Field's last tremendous success. "We're Going to be Rich." has again derived the utmost, from his story and cast. The story of "Keep Smiling provides fiimgoers with a refreshing and happy tonic. A riotous show is being staged in a provincial theatre by a touring music-hall troupe, with Gracie Fields as their star. Their manager, played by Joe Mott, has agreed to give charity the proceds, but is discovered attempting to keep most of the mJonev himself. Gracie leads the troupe in rebellion and they walk out on Mott. Penniless, they determine to start their own company. Gracie takes them all to her grandfather’s farm. Avis (Mary Maguire), the troupe’s, soubrette; Bert (Roger JLivesev), the pianist; Denis (Jack Donohue), and six other members of the company go with Gracie co the farm. They completely upset the routine of the place with their rehearsals in the open air, infuriating old Silas Gray (Edward Rigby'. It is a stray dog (."Sloppyof "Thin Man" fame) who eventually helps the troupe to success at a seaside pavilion, but only after the villainous manager has been severely dealt with, romance has flourished between Avis and a celebrated pianist (Peter Coke), and the love of Bert, for Gracie has been declared. Gracie Fields never has been better served musically than in this film and gives a magnificent performance. Her numbers are widely varied, from "The Holy City," which she sings in a village church, to "Mrs. Bums Twins,” which she sings at a performance given by the "Keep Smiling" troupe in a riverside showboat. Mary Maguire, a lovely young Australian, was taken from Hollywood to head the strong supportingcast. I