THE VOGUE OF THE MUSICAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 13 June 1936, Page 9

THE VOGUE OF THE MUSICAL

JUDICIOUS USE OF OPERA AN IRRESISTIBLE ATTRACTION One of the most interesting of present phenomena in the motionpicture world is the vogue of the musical. Some years ago the musical had a brief but intense spell of popularity. For some reason or other it faded. Now musicals are back again in full force and even ambitious productions of opera on the screen are planned for future production.

The musical has returned to the screen with a rush. It has a promin-

ent place in motion-picture production plans for 1936, which may even see grand opera take its definite place in screen fare. The number of musicals - recently shown is surprising, “Broadway Melody of 1936”, “Roberta,” “Thanks a Million”, “Broadway Gondolier”, “Naughty Marietta” and “One Night of Love.” “Rose of the Rancho” is now in season. Sf. ¥ * The success of all these films shows how closely motion-picture producers, have judged the public taste. And, judging by programmes for production this year, Hollywood producers, at least, gamble on the continued pppula'rity of the musical. One of the big factors in the new i popularity of musicals has been the judicious use of operatic music. The favourite arias of grand opera, sung by famous singers, have proved an irresistible attraction in films having not much more than a minimum of story value and interest. ¥ * * * At the same time, it has been easy to build a romantic,tale,around opera, and their ultimate spectacular successes as the motive. The interest in' opera is perennial. It is still one of the last refuges of real romance in the public mind. Stories like this give stars an opportunity to sing evergreen favourites as an integral part of the story. The drawback of' so many musicals in the past was that they were too obviously vehicles for unrelated solos. * * * *

Another factor in the success of the musical has been the finding of stars like Grace Moore, capable not only of giving a fine singing performance, but of creating an acting role convincingly on the screen. ' Gladys Swarthout, another Metropolitan Opera star, is also a recruit to film musicals. She is a young mezzo-soprano -who appears regularly in New York. She makes her debut in the Paramount musical, “Rose of the Rancho:” Another important musical production is “Metropolitan” which follows familiar story lines and brings Lawrence Tibbett, famous in earlier musicals, back to the screen after several years’ absence. Nino Martini, another famous singer, will be seen in “Here’s to Romance” in company with Madame Ernestine Schumann-lleink. Jan Kiepiira will star in another musical film, “Give Us This Night.” Beniamino Gigli, another famous Italian star, is singing in a film Zoltan Korda is directing. ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥

The success of these operatic musicals has naturally led producers to think seriously of the possibility of producing opera itself on the screen,. Already Paramount has announced that it will film “Faust,” directed by Pabst, the famous German director, in conjunction with the New York Metropolitan Grand Opera. “I Pagliacci” and other operas have also been mentioned for possible production. . . „ Richard Tauber is to sing m the famous opera by Leoncavallo. Opera is one of the most popular of all stage entertainments, but so far efforts to democratise it effectively | have failed. Perhaps the screen will | accomplish this and bring the wonderful music of the great composers with ; n the reach of all. ¥ ¥ * ¥ “Phantom of the Opera” which starred the late Lon Chaney in the silent version, will be made by Universal. Charles Boyer will play the romantic lead and Boris Karloff the phantom.