“THE SINGING FOOL”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 655, 6 May 1929, Page 15

“THE SINGING FOOL”

RECORD HOUSES AT PLAZA Depths of tragedy are sounded by A 1 Jolson in “The Singing Fool,” the special all-talking and singing production in which lie was presented to the record houses at the Plaza Theatre all day Saturday. In it he is revealed as one of the most powerful emotional actors on the screen. His creation is in decided contrast to his work as a comedian, though his* former work has partially demonstrated the fervour of which he is capable. In “The Singing Fool” he is first seen and heard as a. carefree, joking entertainer —a singing waiter in a New York cabaret—but eventually there comes to him a weight of sorrow and mental stress that entirely changes the course of his life. Everything which ho has attained through years of striving is suddenly stripped from him, and the way he meets and copes with his misfortunes makes a story of absorbing heart interest. Married to a revue star who falls in love with another man, the singing waiter suffers torments, which include the death of the child to whom he is passionately d e - voted. “The Singing Fool” .runs the whole scale of human emotions. Jolson’s amazing gift for recognising those who have, like himself, the ability to transmit their feelings to others was demonstrated in his choice of adorable three-year-old Davey Lee to play the part of Sonny Boy in “The Singing Fool.” The child was chosen from among nearly two hundred applicants. Betty Bronson and Josephine Dunn are seen in the principal feminine roles and other well-known players in the cast are Heed Howes, Arthur Housman, Robert Emmett O’Connor and Edward Martindel. A splendid programme of shorter “talkie” subjects has been arranged. Solos from the popular opera, “I Pagliacci” and from Verdi’s favourite opera, “Aida,” are heard by Giovanni Martineli. the leading dramatic tenor of the Metropolitan Opera Company, and a number of well-known songs by popular artists are provided by “In a Monastery Cell,” which depicts the recreation of the monk after his day’s labour. A comedy and singing number of the sidewalk as they emerge from, the opera. “Between the Acts of the Opera,” presents the famous Howard Brothers, who give imitations of the opera artists they have just seen and heard. Another great attraction is the appearance of Mischa Elman, .the famous violinist, who is heard in “Humoresque” and the Gossec “Gavotte.” An overture, “Tannhauser,” is played by the New' York Philharmonic Orchestra of 80 players. On Saturday evening the whole theatre was booked out, and the booking is again very heavy for this evening. The programme is easily the finest “talkie” entertainment yet seen in Auckland. A film more interesting than the usual run of pictures because of its human qualities and technical excellence, is the latest U.F.A. picture, “Hooping the Loop,” produced by Dr. Arthur Robinson. A. Scotsman by birth, who for some time has been making pictures for Cinema Art Films. Robinson makes the clown a human, appealing figure, and shows his emotions and love veyy skilfully, and one cannot help noting the masterly direction throughout this production. The excellently-expressed pictorial groupings, the perfect technical work and lighting and camera angles are characteristic of the latest U.F.A. production. “Looping the Loop” is set for release in New Zealand shortly, by. Cinema Art, Films. .