'PAGLIACCI’ FOR STATE

Evening Star, Issue 22873, 3 February 1938, Page 2

'PAGLIACCI ’ FOR STATE

TAUBER IN SCREEN VERSION One of the most interesting problems which has occupied the thoughts of producers ever since the advent of sound is how best to transcribe a famous opera to the screen in a maimer that will he acceptable to all types of cinema audiences, and, at the same time, bring a new field of entertainment into films. Karl Grune, ace director, is the first both to attempt and accomplish that objective. This he succeeded in doing with Richard Tauber’s latest starring picture, ‘ Pagliacci,’ which is adapted from Leoncavallo’s popular opera. This film will be commenced at the State tomorrow. . ■ An illustration of how effectively a strict adherence to film technique has made the transition of: an opera from stage to screen, a natural and graceful one is in Tauber’s. rendering of the famous aria, ‘ On With the Motley.’ Where, in the stage opera, the conventions of the stage demand that this song should be sung directly to the audience, the wider scope of the_ cinema allows the camera to penetrate into the intimacy of Canio’s caravan dressing room, and he sings the song seated before a< mirror, while putting on his make-up paint before his performance in the travelling theatre. On the screen, therefore, he sings the_ song to himself , singing, as it were, his thoughts, and making the introduction of the song more reasonable besides heightening its dramatic effect. . , Offering excellent entertainment to . every filmgoer, this well-known story is built around four main characters. One is a jovial, good-natured, owner of a travelling show, who, however, is jealous of his pretty wife. The other two are a dftshing officer and a handsome circus hand, both being competitors for the pretty wife. The unusual, heart-break-ing climax is sute to score with its emotional appeal..