"THE JAZZ SINGER."

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19667, 10 July 1929, Page 8

"THE JAZZ SINGER."

♦ THEATRE ROYAL'S SUCCESSFUL TALKIE. Appiau?c in a. picture theatre liss beeti an unheard of thing up til! now, but witb the innovation of the talkies it is becoming quite the order of the evening; and the largo audience that was present at the first screening of "The Jazz Singer" in tiie Theatre Royal was generous in its applause. ! Like "The Bellamy Trial," "The- ! Jazz Singer" is only part talkie, only the more outstanding scenes being made audible. I* is o. remarkaole picture, and provides a rich study _in contrasts—a clashing cf ancient religious traditions and ultra modern i<~Jea.3. Old Cantor Rubinowitz, the mainstay of the Sjnogogue, meant his eon Jakie to grow up and become the sixth Cantor in succession, but when he found his son singing jaz?. in a saloon biß world came tumbling about his ears like a pack of cards Jakie, having an understanding mother, runs away from home and becomes a singer cf jazi. And here Al Jolson a£3umes the role of the now grown-up Jakie, or Jack Robin as he calh> himself, and we hear hiiu make hi** first public appearance. It is in a crowded cafe, and his singing captivates his audience, for there is "a tear in his voice." Mary Dale (May McAvoy). a dancer, inspires bim until he is given a chance on Broadway. Therj lie learns that his father is critically ill, and all the traditions of his race surge up in his heart, as if impelling him to return to his father's synagogue to sing the uongs of Israel, for it is the Day of Atonement, and there is no Cantor. Tt is a dramatic climax, and well developed". The Paths news reel is a very fine production, and witb the sound accompaniment is vivid and real.

"THE WOLF OF WALL STREET." Speaking of the Sydney premiere of "The Wolf of Wall Street," •which comes to the Theatre Royal for a week's season on Friday next, the ' 'Telegraph" wrote:—"ln the early days of the silent pictures there were | some outstanding productions—pictures that I would be spoken of a long time afterwards; ; and so to-day. when the 'talkies' are still* in their infancy, some strikingly successful films have been made. One such is "The Wolf of Wall Street,' which had its Sydnev premiere at the Capitol Theatre, and which must certainly be accounted one of the finest dramatic productions that has been presented for years. It is the type of film that will live in the memory long after the last scene has faded from the screen. It is an all-dialogue 'talkie' picture, and if anv. thing further wore needed to illustrate the possibilities of the great new invention of sound presentation on the screen, this production should serve the purpose, as well as providing some of the best entertainment that has been seen in Sydney for s very considerable time. It is diffirult indeed to find faults with this picture; it is an almost perfect photoplay. The actine of George Bancroft in the name part has few flaws in it. His conversation is so true to life that one can also imagine one is witnessing a production on the stage. He gives a truly remarkable characterisation, relieved at times by delightful touches of whimsical humour, a portrayal that should long be remembered. As the unfaithful wife. Baclanora also gives a fine presentation; but one of the best little actresses of the whole prodnction is Nancy Carroll, who enacts the role of Gert (the maid). Her sweetheart strikes trouble through a foolish investment in one of the 'Wolf's' propositions, and she sets out to let tho financial genius know what she thinks of him, and after all it is not to her disadvantage. Others in the cast include Paul Lukas, Arthur Rankin. Brandon Hurst, Crauford Kent, and Paul Guertzman. A picture not to be missed is 'The Wolf of Wall Street'." Box plans open to-morrow.