“HELLO POPEYE”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 July 1938, Page 2

“HELLO POPEYE”

FRANK NEIL’S REVUE CO. To the hundreds of thousands of people in New Zealand who have been entertained by the comedy cartoons on the screen of Popeye the Sailorman, the announcement by the directors of J. C. Williamson Theatres to the effect that they have arranged with Mr Frank Neil for the appearance here at the Regent Theatre on Tuesday afternoon at 3.30 and evening at 8 of the original Popeye (Mr Billy Costello) will prove most interesting. This world famous artist will be presented in the Hollywood Revue “Hello Popeye” and with him will be associated a number of world famous revue and vaudeville artists. The brevity of the New Zealand tour is due to the fact that Mr Costello must be back at Hollywood at an early date to create new cartoons for Max Fleischer. Billy Costello is an Irish-American and was for four years with the United States Navy before joining Paul Whiteman’s Band as tap drummer. While with this band he developed a peculiar type of voice and patter which he had learned from his father, and he became known as “Ferdie the Frog.” Four years ago Mr Max Fleischer witnessed one of his performances and he immediately selected him for his famous “Popeye” cartoon, and since then Billy Costello’s voice has become as popular as the cartoon itself. Associated with Mr Costello are Sid Page and Joey Porter, noted comedians. In their comedy scenes Messrs Page and Porter are supported by Peggy Earle and Ruth Rudie. The Elite Trio are unique ballroom Adagio dancers, and Danny Malone is a delightful Irish tenor. The Kermonde Brothers are sensational acrobatic artists, and the Ritchie Bros are international tap dancers. Horrie Dargie is described as a wizard of the harmonica, and other outstanding artists are Eileen Burke, a delightful performer on the violin. Mavis Ritchie, a dashing young soubrette, and Betty Lambert, a dainty young Australian comedienne. A feature of “Hello Popeye” is Frank Neil’s Beauty Ballet. The box plans will be opened at Perry’s on Friday, August 12.