"THE SINGING FOOL."

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19732, 24 September 1929, Page 15

"THE SINGING FOOL."

A TALKIE TRIUMPH CRYSTAL PALACE. 1 "Tli* Sinfiag Pool," with A) Jolson as the star, opened its second week at the OrysU1 Palace last evening. Much has been written of this filed; it took England and America by storm, and ia assured of an enthusiastic reception ib Chriatchureh. Back week sees a batter talkie, no doubt because of the advances that are 'being made all the time, but "The Singing Fool" is eo superb that it would seem the high-water mark haa been reached. Ai Jolson is a wonderful actor, be he crave or gar, it ia all the same to him. With his melodious baritone voice, he sings big songs with sh appeal which moved tlie large audience last night to tears. Espeei* ally was this ao whon his "Bonny Boy'' it dying, and the little tad afcks hGn to sing his favourite melody. There afe sequenoas in the picture that are silent! there is no dialogue—-the actor's Hps move in silence in the way we have been psed to. The effect of that silence makes the singing of Al Jolson all the more appealing. The scenes in the oafes ate realistically staged, and the music is exceptionally Well played. The story of Al Stone (Al Jolson}, Who is a singer in cafe, and has to work as a waiter as well; but that does not pre* Vent him from being in love with Molly (Josephine Dunn), the star of the show. Al Stone knows that she doesn't care for him, but he does not know that Grace (Betty Branson), the cigarette-seller, does. Al is craiy About Molly, and writes songs for bar, and allows her to take the credit for them. He sings so well that at last Molly and he become stars on Broadway, and then she marries him. in time, Al becomes a success as a singer, and also "Sonny Boy' comes along. lie has to be eared for, and Ai sings his boy to sleep, or tails him fairy stories. Molly has found someone who attracts her, and one night Al comas hotne to find her gone, "Sonny Boy" with her. Al Btone is desperate With misery. Molly informs her husband that She it off to Paris to get a divorce, and ho rings her up and begs her to allow him to say good-bye to "Bonny Boy." Whilst Molly is consulting , her lovar, "Souny Boy speaks on the telephone, and asks his father why he deosn't see him any more. The auditors, when they heard the child's voice coming over so naturally and perfectly, Were moved and thrilled by the tremendous dra* mfctic power of the talkies. ■ Btone loses interest in his work, and tor a time drifts, until Grace comes into his life, and once mot# he 1* a star. He is called to the hospital, whew "Sonny Boy ia dangerously ill, and not eitpectea to_ live. The child asks his father to sing him to sleep with the song that bears his name. His child asleep, Al leaves the toom, but when he returns later "Sonny Boy" i* dead. With his heart broken, Al goe* to tne theatre to sing bis latest success, Sonny Bov " When the curtain falls the audience cheer, but behind the curtain Al lies weeping bitterly, With his arm around Grace, he decides to continue singing as long as they w%nfc him. It U the human, vital, and tense personslitr of Al Jolson. and the_ natural and uns'ffected acting of little ftavid Lea as Sonny Boy that lift this sentimental story from being merely "sob stuff to the high level of greftt drama, great pathos, and great tragedy. , , The Supporting programme I* one of excellence, introducing Giovanni Martelli. one of the test tenor singer* in the world, Who sings with much skTll and erttstrr. With the Motley" ("I PagH&ecl ); the Howard Brothers, who give a grand Opera burlesque, the "World News" in sound and the "Tannhauser" overturs, played by the world-famous New York Philharmonic Orchestra, most beautifully rendered and wall worth hearing.