CRYSTAL PALACE.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19728, 19 September 1929, Page 9

CRYSTAL PALACE.

"The Singing Fool," with A 1 Jolson as the star, is the big attraction at the Crystal Palace this week. Much has been written of this film; it took England and America by storm, and is receiving an enthusiastic reception in Christchurch. Each week sees a better talkie, no doubt because of the advances that are being made all the time, but "The Singing Pool" is so superb that it would seem the high-water mark has been reached.

A 1 Jolson i« a wonderful actor, be he grave or gay, it is all the same to him. With his melodious baritone voice, he sings his songs with an appeal which moved the large audience last night to tears. Especially was this so when his "Sonny Boy" is dying, and the little lad asks him to sing bis . [avourito melody. It is the human, vital, and tense personality of A 1 Jolson, and the natural and unaffected acting x>f little David Lee as Sonny Boy, that lift this sentimental story from being merely "sob stuff" to the high level of great drama, great pat&os, and great tragedy. The supporting programme is one of excellence, introducing Giovanni Martelli, one of the best tenor singers in the world, who sings with much skill and artistry "On with the Motley" ("I Pagliacei"); the Howard Brothers, who give a grand opera burlesque, the "World News" in sound, and the "Tannhauser" overture, played by the world-famous New York Philharmonic Orchestra, most beautifully rendered and well worth hearing.