COSY THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 March 1941, Page 2

COSY THEATRE

“CHEER BOYS CHEER.” The change of programme tonight is headed by “Cheer, Boys, Cheer,” which is a comedy to suit all tastes, and features Edmund Gwenn and Nova Pilbeam. The story opens with Ironsides Brewery out to secure control of its smaller rival, the Greenleaf concern, which enjoys the twin advantages of an excellent bitter and a useful chain of lucrative hotels. Ironside’s son, John, gets a job with Greenleaf's as publicity manager, planning to ruin the firm with extravagant bills, but he falls in love with Greenleaf’s daughter and decides to forsake his nefarious scheme. Ironsides look like winning the battle for a time, but in a thrilling sequence Dan Cupid takes the honours. The funniest sequence takes place when Jimmy O’Dea, as the Greenleaf’s chief brewer, dopes the Ironsides vats with a concoction that causes all who drink it to burst into copious tears. Young Ironsides’ romance with Greenleaf's daughter produces some witty wisecracks, while additional comedy comes from two brewers who are perpetually in hot water. Edmund Gwenn is an irascible Ironside, while ■ C. V. Frances gives a polished portrayal as Greenleaf. Nova Pilbeatn and Peter Coke are capable romantic leads and Jimmy O’Dea puts over his own brand of humour with Graham Moft’att and Moore Marriott as his two worthy assistants. The other picture, “Traitor Spy,” starring Bruce Cabot and Tamara .Desni, is a powerful spy drama. It is Britain’s answer to America’s “Confessions of a Nazi Spy.” The story shows how ordinary men and women, street hawkers, domestic servants and. the like, are in the pay of secret' agents.