JOHN McCORMACK

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1076, 13 September 1930, Page 14

JOHN McCORMACK

“SONG O' MY HEART” AT THE ST. JAMES BRILLIANT PRODUCTION When the audience at a talkie theatre applauds a singer as warmly as though he were on the stage in the flesh, the talkies have reached a splendid pinnacle of achievement. That was what happened at the St. James Theatre last evening when John McCormack sang in “Song o’ My Heart.” “CONG O’ MY HEART” is as delightkT ful a bit of entertainment as one could wish, with the charm of unaffected naturalness, Irish humour and a tender romance. But above all there is John McCormack. McCormack sings his songs, a | dozen or more of them, and performs his role with ease. The recording - is perfect. There are some fascinating aspects about the \ oice of John McCormack, j One of them is the use of his voice as I an instrument. Sometimes it is like a stringed instrument over which he has the most perfect control. Another aspect is the power of concentration with which he infects his listeners, his wistful nuances, his sense of climax used deliberately, with utmost dramatic effect. Some of the songs are old favourites, unforgettable ballads. But there are a number of new lyrics, a few operatic arias heard in a concert scene which will appeal because of McCormack’s superb singing. McCormack’s pieces included: “Just for Today.” “A Fairy Tale by the Fire.” “I Feel You Near Me.” “Then You’ll Remember Me.” “Kitty. My Love.” “A Pair of Blue Eyes.” "Rose of Tralee.” ”1 Hear You Calling Me,” “Loughi Sereni K Cari,” “Ireland. Mother Ireland.” and “Little Boy Blue.” If “Song* o’ My Heart” had nothing else to recommend .. ■ , it. “Little Bov & I Blue” would make it well worth hear- B»p The accompaniments are all ex- T JL quisiteiy played by I •-« 1 win SolmoidOi-. accompanist bSBEI. real lib. as on tic BBBigv- jfM&m screen. jjjßgßSjjfl In to- story of .JgV&Wf/ax the film McCor- mSOBSL- AWuE&SBSmi mack is a discon- " solate singer, deeply John McCormack •affected because his boyhood sweetheart married another. The lady of his dreams is abandoned, when the audience is introduced to the storv, with her two young children, the elder of whom is on the verge of having her romance undergo the very course of her mother’s, when the singer takes a ha nd. McCormack’s characterisation as a saddened lover is so humanly enacted, one almost feSls that he is living the role. But credit must be given to Maureen O’Sullivan. latest screen “find,” for her engaging role as the wistful Irish colleen, Eileen, daughter of his former sweetheart, which role is brilliantly handled by Alice Joyce. John Garrick is the young lover, and Tommy Clifford the bright little Irish boy with the brogue. The comedy could not have been put into better hands than those of J. M. Kerrigan and Farrell MacDonald. All the minor roles are equally well done. Filmed largely in Ireland, on the very scenes of the story, “Song o’ My Heart” has captured the very spirit and atmosphere of the Emerald Isle. All in all, “Song o’ My Heart” is a masterpiece. SUPPORTING PROGRAMME Several most entertaining short talkie items were also presented on the new programme. There was a “Mickey the Mouse” cartoon dealing with the “Poet and Peasant” overture, a colour symphony descriptive of the wellknown selection, “In a Chinese Garden,” selections by a jazz orchestra, and two old-time songs, “There’s a Long. Long Trail” and “When You' Look in the Heart of a Rose.” Finally there is a most fascinating Fox Movietone News which includes some remarkable views of sea lions, a talk with Sir Arthur Conan Do vie. close-ups of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and airplane views of a lost city in Indo-China. SUBURBAN THEATRES The Britannia Theatre. Three Lamps is showing "The Arizona Kid,” a stirring adventure story of America’s early days, starring Warner Baxter and Mona Marris; also views of the sinking of the Tahiti. The Prince Edward Theatre is showing "Paramount on Parade,” an entertaining revue production with items, songs and sketches by .all the leading Paramount players: also views of tlie sinking of the Tahiti. The Grey Lynn Cinema is showing “Officer O’Brien.” a drama of life in . he American police force, starring William Powell; also views of the sinking of the Tahiti. The Tudor Theatre, Remuera, is showing “The Sky Hawk,” a splendid tale of the Zeppelin raids on London, with plenty of romance, comedy and thrills, starring John Garrick. The Victoria Theatre, Devonport, is showing “Courting Wild Cat.” a Western story starring Hoot Gibson, and “Paris Bound,” a romantic story starring Ann Harding and Frederic March.

TIVOLI AND RIALTO “LOVE COMES ALONG” | Bebo Daniels, remembered for her work in "Rio Rita,” gives another very j j clever and spirited performance in her new talkie, "Rove Conies Along,” now at both the Tivoli and Rialto Theatres. As the actress stranded in a foreign port who becomes a sailor's sweetheart she causes laugh alter laugh. Resides the comedy clement, however, there is a good deal of drama, excitement and some pretty songs, sung by Bebe in the voice that made her famous in "Rio Rita.” Her role is quite new to her, but she gets the best out of it. The setting is another of those intriguing little South American republics in which the "big noise” is a general with a great deal of assurance and an eye for women. His eye lights on the stranded actress, Peggy, and his attentions become not whoLy paternal, Meanwhile, however, Peggy ana a visiting sailor have become interested in each other, and romance between them quickly develops. The sailor acts at lirst in accordance with tradition, but this time lie is deeply bitten. Unfortunately lie mistakes Peggy’s relations with the general, and trouble ensues, at lirst for the sailor and finally for the general. “Woman to Woman.” a powerful drama starring Betty Compson, is the second feature at both theatres. ! “THE CUCKOOS” AT PLAZA i "The Cuckoos” season will be con-

tinued at the Plaza Theatre. This, indeed, is not at all surprising, for it is without doubt the funniest anil most cheerfully irresponsible comedy ever shown in the city. That New Zealand is still bobbing complacently in the waves of the Pacific is proven by the thousands of people who have come, ween, and laughed uproariously at the antics ol Wheeler and Woolsey this last week; and people do not laugh uproariously, even at Wheeler and Woolsey, if there is a depression. "The Cuckoos” is a picture which is of the musical comedy persuasion; it has a delightfully droll plot, some remarkable ballets (the "Dancing the Devil ; Away” Pallet is a wonderful effort). ! tuneful and humorous songs; but most ; of all it has a lot of irrelevant and ex- } traneous scenes which are frankly inserted so that Messrs. Wheeler and I Woolsey may have a further excuse to I convulse the crowds with their amaz- ! ing foolery. DE LUXE AND ALEXANDRA “Seven Kej’s to Daldpate,” the exciting mystery-thriller starring Richard Dix, will be shown this evening at the de Luxe Theatre, Mount Albert, and the Alexandra Theatre, Green Lane. The story concerns a mysterious country inn for which there are seven keys, and it is full of suspense, drama, romance and comedy. At both theatres there are bright talkie supports. The de Luxe is showing "The Big Party,” starring Clara Bow, and the Alexandra “The Climax,” starring Jean Hersholt.

NEW PICTURE FOR ROXY George Fawcett, who lias perhaps the most extensive background of stage and screen experience of any actor now' before the public, and who has been prominent in theatrical work for nearly fifty years, plays a prominent role in “Ladies of Leisure.” the Columbia alltalking drama of night life, coming to the Roxy Theatre next week. The film, adapted from a David Belasco stage play, was brought to the screen on the most pretentious scale. A distinguished cast including Barbara Stanwyck, Lowell Sherman. Ralph Graves and Marie Prevost interprets the principal roles. AKARANA YACHT CLUB DANCE The Akarana Yacht Club will hold their usual Saturday evening dance in the clubhouse, Mechanics’ Bay, this evening. There is a good orchestra, and the floor is in perfect condition.

NATIONAL “SWING HIGH” The National Theatre management was fortunate in procuring the privilege of presenting to its patrons the initial New Zealand screening of Rathe’s stupendous production, “Swing High,” which created something like a great sensation in America, where it proved a record-breaking success. The story is full of human interest and suspense*. The plot is founded on the story by Joseph Santley and James Seymour. It has been well constructed and grips the interest all the way through. The circus scenes are unique while the love romance is so well done that the spectator has the desire to see nothng happen to separate hero and heroine. The hero is robbed while taking money to a bank, but he is gaoled for the theft. The heroine is convinced of his innocence. Suspecting a woman acrobat in the circus the heroine, herself a circus performer, takes a novel method of getting the truth. She threatens to drop the real culprit from a swing if she does not confess. Frightened, tlTe viUainess confesses, the money is recovered, and the hero released. There are many thrilling sequences. Helen Twelvetrees is the heroine and is said to do excellent work. Fred Scott plays opopsite, John Sheehan, George Fawcett, Nick Stuart, Bryant Washburn, Little Bill and Chester Conklin all have parts. Two most entertaining talkie featurettes are also being presented.

LONDON “CHARMING SINNERS” “Charming Sinners,” a comedy drama of London society life starring both Ruth Chatterton and Clive Brook, is now being screened at the London Theatre. William Powell also has an important role. “Charming Sinners” is based on a play written by the brilliant English playwright, Somerset Maugham, and it is a thoroughly enjoyable production. The story of “Charming Sinners” concerns a fashionable society doctor in London, whose philandering with pretty girls comes to the knowledge of his wife. She sets out to cure him by the age-old method that “sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.” She* flirts with an old friend (played by William Powell) and cleverly succeeds in bringing her husband to his knees. Claude Allister provides some comedy as the butler and the rest of the cast is equally well filled. Excellent talkie shorts complete the* programme. CRYSTAL PALACE AND REGENT Rudy Vallee. idol of the American radio, sang his way into the hearts of local film fans in his screen appearance at the Crystal Palace Theatre, Mount Eden Road, and the Regent Theatre, ISlanukau Road. As the hero of Radio Pictures’ "The Vagabond Lover,” he proved as charming in person as on the air. While a delightfully capable cast played the comedy drama around him, Rudy held the spotlight with his songs. The hypnotic quality of his voice was never more in evidence than when he sang “A Little Kiss Each Morning” and three other new love songs from the screen last evening. Excellent talkie feature items are also being shown. At the Crystal Palace is "Seven Keys to Baldpate,” and at the Regent Theatre "Dance Hall.”