OPERA ON THE FILMS

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 12 September 1935, Page 8

OPERA ON THE FILMS

GRACE MOORE’S IDEAL EFFECTIVENESS OF SONG “It is mv ambition to bring an entirely new kind of opera technique to the world,” said Miss Grace Moore, the principal of the outstanding musical film, “One Night of Love.” She decided when she was a young girl at school that she wanted to become a prima donna and sho eventually made her way to the Metropolitan Opera. House (New York). Now she lias set herself, with the "same determination, the task of “reforming” opera through the medium of the screen.

‘‘Unquestionably,” she “the fufure of the opera lies in the cinema. The screen lias already produced new types of comedy and drama, and now I want this great medium to imbue opera with new meaning. The days of Pafti and Melba are dead and gone. Ticy took two steps to the left, two forward, according to the tradition 1 1 stage-directions, and then concentrate! on the ‘golden notes.’ Positions, gestures and voice-production, were so aut.'.ciatically governed that each Carmen was exactly the .same as the last, each butterfly an exact replica of the one before. But for a critical public this isn’t, enough. How many Hamlets have there."been? How many King Lears? ,7m i as each new portrayal of these famous characters of the theatre giv an entirely new and interesting slant on their psychology, so I try to give i.ew meaning to a performance of Mimi iu ‘La Bolicme.’

“The film-going public is used to good acting and attractive personalities, and this is as important to them a; singing. ' Actually, of course, the operatic stories are rich in drama and, personally, I would rather my voiceproduction suffered than give a lifeless poj r ormance. How can anyone possibly believe in a. butterfly, intended to be a desperately unhappy and deserted woman, when the performer is a weLYcd, generously proportioned and complacent song-machine?

“In my new" film, ‘On Wings of Si ng, ’ I have broken away entirely from tradition, and sing, besides-' extracts from ‘La Bolicme,’ a good example of modern, syncopated music. When the public lias been made aware of the effectiveness of song, I want to put on a full-leiigth opera.» That they will be interested I do not doubt.”

Three Great Friends. liudy Yallee, Bing Crosby and Dick Powell not only are three of the foremost stars of screen and radio, but they also are three very goodyl’riends. Although Vallee, who will appear in the Warner Bros.’ picture, “Sweet Music,” at the Grand Theatre next Thursday and Friday, does not claim credit for it, he was one of the first to recognise Crosby’s unique talent. Vallee was an orchestra conductor, playing in Baltimore, when Crosby, as one of a harmony trio called ‘ 1 The Rhythm Boys” sang for it. Vallee and Dick Powell met when the former made a personal appearance at the Pittsburgh theatre where Powell was master of ceremonies and they became friends. Then, all three met again in Hollywood when Vallee was making “Sweet Music” for Warner Bros., while Powell was working at the same studio making “Gold Diggers of 1933.” Crosby was doing radio work in Hollywood at the same time.

Nq Make-Up Required. Charlie Chan, Earl Derr Diggers’ famous Chinese detective, operates on tjie theory that an active body means an, active mind. At least that is the practice’ of 'Warner' Olarid who brings the fictional character to life on the. screen at the Grand Theatre on Saturday and Monday in “Charlie Chan in London.’’. Oland lias a beach cottage right on the line dividing Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. • On week-ends lie swims as often as live times a day. The first dip in the Pacific comes before breakfast, then one in the middle of the morning, and still another just before lunch. The heat of the afternoon calls for a fourth swim, and the day is climaxed by a. fifth immediately preceding dinner. Last summer Olancl acquired such a heavy tan that, on returning to the studio, he needed no make-up as the dark-skinned oriental sleuth.’ ; f ;

Mickey Rooney, diminutive 13-year-old comedian, lias received a new 'contract that keeps him on the roster of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer featured players. The contract is a diploma of appreciation for Mickey’s excellent portrayals in recent pictures.

Helen Lowell, veteran stage"’actress, had retired to . a farm in Connecticut when Warners brought" her tb this screen a year ago. Since then she has appeared in 13 .-films, .'and has: now sola the farm and given up all thoughts GoE > retirement. ' " C.