BIRRELL O’MALLEY'S CONCERT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 640, 17 April 1929, Page 15

BIRRELL O’MALLEY'S CONCERT

SUCCESSFUL FAREWELL „„„ £250 was raised as the result , the concert given in the Town Hall evening by fellow-artists of Mr. O'Malley, who leaves on Friday wr T, u ta for Milan, where he will turner his studies in singing. T-he popularity and esteem in which ~P O'Malley is held, by the public as as his associates, was shown by he large attendance. The concert was resented under the auspices of the lackland Amateur Operatic Society. The society also paid the expenses incissntal to the concert. Tone before the commencement, neople were being turned away from dres scirele, seats being only availhle at the back of the ground llooitai in the top gallery. By eight o'clock “T r y few seats were left in any part the hall, those which were vacant being mostly the unclaimed seats of ticket-holders. yfr O'Malleys lirst number was sneolien Adamson's "Nirvana," followed h* Verdi's "In This Solemn Hour,” ‘dven id conjunction with Mr. W. Brough. At the end of the programme yr. O'Malley sang several request numbers, including Fake Fair of hnarkling Eyes' and To a Miniature. ‘ pjr a quarter of an hour he sang reauest numbers, the audience being utremely loath to allow him to leave tlto stage. Songs were given by Miss Jenny vfarsden. Miss Phyllis Maxell. Miss vhna McGruer, Mr. Ernest Snell. Mr. W a lter Brough, and Mr. Frank Sutherland. The Lyric Four. Messrs. A. nipley, E. Richards. A. McElwain, and Thomas: the Clarion Quartet, Miss L. McGruer, Miss B. Smith, Mr. J. Simplon, and Mr. D. Black: the Snappy Three; and the Asquiths, also sang, c flute solo was given by Mr. Hal C. McLennan: a harp solo by Miss Mavis Grfivatt: a violin solo by Miss Ina Bos worth, and a piano solo by Mr. Kric Bell. Mr. McElwain gat'e some of his humour, and Mr. Pan Flood tntertained at the piano. An elocutionary number was given by Mi. W. Russell-Wood, and a novelty dance by Mile. Valeeku and Mr. Len "Wilson. Miss E. Tremain and Mr. Eric Bell ,vere (he accompanists.

PLOT AND ACTION

PRODUCER ON TALKIES More plot elements and a swifter development of action will result from talking pictures, according to William Wellman, the noted director of Wings." ‘The Legion of the Condemned," and many other Paramount productions. Wellman has just completed his first all-dialogue picture for Paramount, titled "Chinato’/a Nights," with Wallace Beery, Warner Oland and Florence Vidor heading the cast. "Explanatory lines spoken by the players will eliminate the need for scenes that, in the silent films, merely served to trace character or fix locale." Wellman declared. "It follows naturally that the picture will he shortened. There will, therefore, he a demand for more story, more dramatic situations, more plot elements.” Wellman completed the silent version of "Chinatown Nights” before the talking version was started. He found, when filming the latter, that he was able to inject more action and additional dramatic scenes.

Recently the production of the latest Richard Dix starring picture for Paramount, "Nothing But the Truth," was held up temporarily by tlie illness of the star. Victor Schertzinger. the director. and Eddie Cronjager. the chief > ameraman, were also affected. Production is now in full swing again.