Glamorous Songbird Sings To Moviegoers

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 71, 25 March 1936, Page 11

Glamorous Songbird Sings To Moviegoers

LILY PONS PRODUCTION WILL PROVE BIG HIT

(State: Screening Saturday.) A great new gift in the divine

voice and enchanting personality of Lily Pons is brought to screen audiences in “I Dream Too Much,’’

a history-making picture. The famed diva, as petite and lovely as she is renowned, scores a veritable triumph in her first motion picture.

Not only does she sing gloriously but she demonstrates striking tal-

ent as an actress, ana the vivacious,

vital charm of her personality reg-

isters perfectly from the screen.

In “I Dream Too Much,” EKOEadio chose an ideal vehicle for the introduction of the distinguished star. The story of a little French girl who is swept to unwanted fame by her matchless voice to face the loss of marital happiness she prizes above everything else, is replete with tender gaiety and human interest. Not only does it afford a logical basis for introducing the superb singing of Miss Pons, but it also provides ample opportunities for the exercise of her talents as a Thespian.

Miss Pons sings two grand opera arias, (he ‘‘Caro Nome” from Verdi’s ‘‘Rigoletto,” and ‘‘The Dell Song” from Delibes’ “Lakme, ” in addition to four original popular melodies composed by Jerome Kern. Into this wide variety of vocal offerings, the pours all of the genius that has brought her world-wide recognition perhaps the greatest colorature soprano of all time.

Henry Fonda adds new laurels to those which have made him in just two previous performances one of the outstanding favourites of the screen, his portrayal being that of the star’s young composer husband. A rare sincerity characterises the work of this young actor who himself stands on the threshold of full stardom.

Osgood Perkins, as an impressario who is not a villain, Eric Blore in a sparkling comedy role, Lucien Littlefield, Esther Dale, Lucille Ball, Paul Porcasi and others contribute effcctivo supporting performances.

John Cromwell’s direction brings out the full human flavour of the drama and is marked by deft, masterful touches. Never is the absorbing story interest allowed to lag. A village in the south of France, Paris, and London are the locales of the original story by Elsie Finn and David G. Wittels, which Edmund North and James Gow adapted in screen play form. Pandro S. Berman produced the picturo, which belongs at the top of the ‘‘must sec” list of every discriminating film patron.