AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19734, 26 September 1929, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

CRYSTAL PALACE. "Tha Singing Fool," with Al Jolioa as tha atar, is in its second week a>t the Crystal Palace. Much has been written of this film; it took England and America by storm, and is assured of an enthusiastic reception in Chnstchurch. Al Jolson is a wonderful actor, be be grave or gay, it is all the same to him. VVith his ineiodious 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 dfing, and the little lad asks him to sing his tavourite melody. There are sequences in the picture that are silent; there is no dialogue— the actor's lips ■ move in silence m tho way we have been psed to. The effect °f that silence makes the singing of " Al Jolson all the more appealing. The scenes >n the cafes are realistically staged, and the music is exceptionally well played. . The story of Al Stone (Al Jolson), Tho >s a singer in cafe, and has to work as * waiter as well; but that does not prevent 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 Bronson), the cigarette-seller, does. Al it craiy about Molly, and writes songs for her, 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 big success as a singer, and also- "Sonny Boy" comes along. He has to be cared for, and Al sings his boy to sleep, or tells him.fairy stories. Molly has found someone who attracts her, and one night Al comes home to find her gone, • "Sonny Boy" with her. Al Stone is desperate with misery. Molly Informs her husband that she is off to Paris to get a divorce, and-.he rings her up and begs her to allow him to say good-bye to "Sonny Boy."

Stone loses interest in his work, and for a time drifts, until Grace comes into his life, and once more he is a; star. He is called to the hospital, where "Sonny Boy" is dangerously ill, and not expected 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 room, but when he returns later "Sonny Boy" is dead. With his heart broken, Al goes to the theatre to sing his latest success, "Sonny Boy." 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 a3 long as they want him 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" ("1 Pagliacci"); 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.