"THE SINGING FOOL."

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19719, 9 September 1929, Page 6

"THE SINGING FOOL."

AL JOLSON IN GREAT TALKIE. CRYSTAL PALACE, SEPTEMBER 16th. A 1 Jolson (who will be seen at Crystal Palace Theatre during the week commencing Sep' aher 16th) is one of the greatest figures in American life to-day. His acts in the theatre have always been marked by a happy spontaneity, and his singing, a plaintive wailing that makes his jazzy songs more pleasing, has endeared him to the American public. And when he appears at Crystal Palace in "The Singing Fool, he will also endear himself to the New Zealand public.' This picture is Jolson's second apeparance before the camera, and he faces it like a veteran. He has a 6tory that is at once a merry comedy and a very human, everyday tragedy. And when one has Jolson, with his burnt-cork face and his haunting singing, and nis snappy dialogue, in such a picture, one has the ultimate in screen or stage entertainment. The story of "The Singing Fool" is the story of the now famous Sonny Boy. That song, which has gone round the world long before the picture of which it is the theme song, has appeared, has familiarised Davey Lee and Jolson, as the Singing Eool to everybodv. Everybody wants to lcnow what is the story o£ the father singing goodbye to his son; and everybody will now know. A drama of Broadway, a drama of mother, father, son, and another girl, acted against the dancing, singing background ot the cabarets; more than a motion pwture, more than a talkie, a production that has a tender emotional story, the unforgettable singing of the star, the gorgeous ballets executed by trained danseuses. the magnificent music, the bright chatting, the whole panorama, with the one and only Jolson in tne foreground, with his songs,' and talking, and merry quips, all the while a very ordinary drama being enacted in his unhappy home. Jolson is supported first and foremost by Davey Lee, the babyish youngster, who "climbs upon my knee," and is the rais<» d'etre of the story; by Betty Bronsoc, Josephine Dunn, Edward Martmdel. and Arthur Houseman. Box plans are now open.