Werribee Shire Banner (Vic. : 1911 - 1952), Thursday 1 February 1934, page 1


MARSHALL CROSBY-A SINGING ACTOR Prominent in the casts of both "Collits' Inn" at the Princess Theatre and "A Ticket in Tatts," at the Hoyts de Luxe, is Marshall Crosby, who must be one of Mr. F. W. Thring's most useful finds. In "Collits' Inn," Mr. Crosby brings distinction to the part of the innkeeper, and his plea-sant personality and natural acting make the character live. Marshall Crosby has had a long association with the stage in Australia, but until recently he was better known as a singer than as an actor. Some years ago he was a popular vocalist on the Tivoli Circuit, until he accepted the position of stage manager at the Sydney Tivoli. In recent years he has been closely associated with George Wallace, and it was that as-sociation which ultimately brought him under the Efftee banner. He first came into prominence on the screen in "His Royal 'Highness" and "Harmony Row," and his sound act-ing in those films caused him to be specially selected by Mr. Thring to play the role of the butler in the stage comedy "Clara Gibbings" at the Garrick Theatre last year. In this he again made a notable success, and he will be seen in the same role in the screen version of the comedy, which will shortly go into production at the new Efftee studio. In "Collits' Inn" this actor's fine baritone voice is heard in the opening number, in which he is supported by a chorus of early pioneers. As a vocalist Mar-shall Crosby holds the record of a 39 weeks' season at the Wintergarden Theatre, Brisbane.

trying. This fact tended to create the idea that the size of the gather ing was not as large as anticipated, because hundreds of picnicers occupy ing sheltered positions among the trees remained there for almost the whole of the day. The number of picnic parties who sought out these places was exceptionally large. A very favorable impression on the orderliness of the visitors was formed by all attending the Park. Leading members of the Associa tion were present, including the Chief President (Mr. R. C. Ri.chie), the general secretary (Mr. S. H. Watson), representatives' of the Board of Directors' end the president of the Metropolitan' Committee (Mr. S. G. Herson.) The time was passed pleasantly with a sports programme designed to cater for all tastes. For several hours, starting in the morn ing, a cricket match was played on the oval. While this was in progress, children's races were held in the lower park. A programme of athletic events followeed the cricket match, in-cluding foot-running and cycling tests, and races for A.W.A. members. Amrong the events were the A.N.A. chainpionship and A.N.A. handicap, cricketers' race, mile race and relay. In the two-mile bicycle race, the win ner turned up in Ted Butler, for merly of Werribee. Several showers of rain late in the afternoon caused a rush for shelter, but it had the ef-ect of tempering the atmosphere somewhat. When the sports programme had been disposed of onlookers gathered in front of the grandstand, from the steps of which the picnic committee presidnt (Mr. Herron) formally in-troduced the Chief President (Mr. Ritchie). Mr. Ritchie briefly ad-dressed the assemblege on the pur-pose of the picnic and on the signifi-cance of holding it on Australia Day. He then proceded with the distri-bution of prizes won at sports. Se-lections rendered at intervals during the day by the South Melbourne Brass Band were much appreciated. The services of the first-aid attend-ants present were requisitioned for several cases of fainting, but mostly their -work consisted of tending to cuts and bruises. Following is the esult of the sport programme : - A.N.A. Championship-A. 7Morris a:nd G. Br:ggs, ;.dead heat 1st; A. 'ucker,. 3r.. President's Race.-H. MoorEa (Altona), 1st.; R.' Gray (Gar den -Vale), 2l :1; .G. Stewart (North Melbourne), -3rd: Secretaries' Race. - 1.'-Jenkins (Clifton Hill), 1st; E. Turner (Richmond), 2nd ; H. Redding (Muriumbee.ra), 3rd.. Metropolitan Committee Race : A. Morris (Albert .Park), 1st; W.,.Hill (Spo:swood), 2nd ; J. Jenkins (Cifton Hill), 3rd. I'wo-mile hanlcoap- cycle race : E. Butler (Fitzroy), 1st ; F. Lloyd (Clifton .Hill), 2nd; R. Fraser (West Brunswick), 3&rd A.W.A. COhampion ship :- S. Maloney (Footscray), .1st; P.'Williamson (Flemingtorn), 2nd; M. T'elfofI (Preston), 3rd. The: cricket match played on the oval between .Eastern and Western teams. resulted, in a' in for the lat ter side. Eastern were dismissed for Wfi, and Western-h't up'lll for the lss of three wickets: