“ ABIE’S IRISH ROSE " AT THEATRE ROYAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18901, 28 October 1929, Page 7

“ ABIE’S IRISH ROSE " AT THEATRE ROYAL.

When first produced as a play, "Abie’s Irish Rose ” proved tremendously successful, and ran for an extraordinarily long period. The screen version, which is being shown at the Theatre Royal, is. if anything, a bigger success than the stage production, in which it has been able to introduce more human interest Throughout, the scenes change rapidly, from New York to France and back to New York. The plot is well maintained throughout, and not for an instant is the interest allowed to wane. As is to be expected in the wooing of a Jewish boy and an Irish girl, there are many situations for the introduction of humour of the best type, and in this production those' situations have been seized upon and the fullest advantage made of them. It is a splendid combination of humour, pathos and love, which blend together in an exceptionally well-thought-out ending. Although the picture is not a talkie, it is soundsynchronised throughout, and the scenes where the Jewish father chants the prayer for his dead are very realistic and emotional. Another fine scene is where the young girl is entertaining the soldiers in the Y.M.C.A. hall in France, and in this scene she renders several popular songs. The cast, headed by Charles Rogers and Nancy Carroll, is a strong one. Rogers plays the part of Abie excellently, and as the fiervtempered colleen, Miss Rogers gives a splendid characterisation. Jean Hersholt has a difficult part to play as Solomon Levy, but he carries off' the part in a very realistic manner. J. Farrell MacDonald is the typical Irish father. Much of the humour is introduced by Ida Kramer and Bernard Goreey as the Cohens. There Is a good supporting programme, including an exceptionally interesting Rathe Sound News. A scenic picture and a comedy’ also add to the entertainment. In this part of the programme- perhaps the best picture is “ Old Black Joe,” a noveltysong cartoon.