OCTAGON’S FEAST OF MUSIC

Evening Star, Issue 21992, 30 March 1935, Page 21

OCTAGON’S FEAST OF MUSIC

JOHN M'GORMACK IN ‘ SONG 0’ MY HEART • The splendid musical film, ‘ Song o’ My Heart,’ which enjoyed a very successful season when first shown in Dunedin some years ago, proved no less popular when it began a return season at the Octagon yesterday. The opportunity of hearing the great Irish tenor. John M'Cormack, is one that few music-lovers would care to miss. In 4 Song o’ My Heart ’ lie contributes eleven numbers, including delightful renderings of 4 The Rose of Tralee and other Irish songs, classical and sacred songs, and charming story-songs accompanied by appropriate scenes. The film does not depend upon music alone, for an appealing and moving stow and excellent acting combine to make a most entertaining production. John M'Cormack acts with ease and naturalness. He is cast as a- gifted singer who has given up a brilliant career, and returned to the quiet Hit* of a country village as the result of a broken romance. Alice Joyce appears as the gril who figured in his romance, and who was forced into a loveless marriage, while the parts of her two children are played with an engaging sincerity by Maureen O’Sullivan and Tommy Clifton. The story tells of the singer’s decision to return to the stage, and how, on the night of his triumphant opening concert in America, a cablegram from Ireland informs him that the woman he loved lias died, leaving her two children to his care. His decision to return to Ireland so that the girl’s romance will not be blighted as his was, and to ensure the happiness of the little boy brings the film to a climax. Plentiful humour is supplied by J. M. Kerrigan and J. Farrell MacDonald as two old villagers, w r hile John Garrick is well cast in a supporting role. Octagon patrons have always found the supporting programme of enjoyable proportions, and this week’s is no exception. Films depicting the latest world events are shown, and serve to balance an altogether satisfactory bill of screen faro. ’