CURRENT FILMS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 119, 4 March 1950, Page 7

CURRENT FILMS

ST. JAMES THEATRE , Opening this afternoon at the St. James Theatre, Bing Crosby, Barry Fitzgerald and Ann Blyth appear in “Top o’ The Morning,” a light-hearted comedy-melodrama, interspersed with Irish songs and dances and revolving around an American insurance investigator (Crosby), who goes to a small Irish village to investigate the theft of the Blarney Stone. Barry Fitzgerald contributes a humorous characterisation as the local constable, and Ann Blyth as his daughter, the Irish colleen with whom Crosby falls in love, is a charming heroine. After several misunderstandings with Alin and with Fitzgerald, Crosby eventually traps the latter’s assistant as the thief, restores the Stone to the Blarney Castle, and sees to it that Fitzgerald can claim the reward. Several old but comparatively little-known Irish songs are heard in the film, namely: —“As Beautiful Kitty,” “The Donovans,” “Oh! ’Tis Sweet To Think,” “In A Shady Nook One Moonlight Night,” and “My Lagan Love.” The only wellknown Irish air in the score is “Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms.” There are two new songs—the title tune and “You’re In Love With Someone.”