TUDOR THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 283, 24 August 1940, Page 7

TUDOR THEATRE

One of the most colourful and romantic periods of America's history—the days of minstrels and river boats —is preserved in the music of Stephen Collins Foster, “the great American troubadour," that. “Swanec River,” released at the Tudor Theatre yesterday, is woven. Photographed in colour, "Swanec River” reveals Foster’s happy young manhood, his early struggles, the introduction of bis songs-by Christy’s Minstrels-, bis meeting with and marriage to “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair,” his rapid rise to fame anil carefree life with his wife and daughter; then, with relentless realism, it reveals Foster’s emotional instability, his disappointments, his gradual disintegration, and eventuaally his death in a shabby Bowrey rooming house. ' Al .Tolson and the Hall Johnson Choir sing admirably many of Foster’s most; popular compositions. Don Aineche ably portrays Foster, and Andrea Leeds, that young actress of rare talent. o , Jane McDowell, Foster’s sweetheart, later, wife. Though the Jones Family is practically without, money nt the outset of “On Their Own.” the associate feature-length attraction. that, does not. affect, their inimitable knack of provoking laughter throughout.