“THE BROKEN MELODY”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20477, 1 December 1934, Page 30 (Supplement)

“THE BROKEN MELODY”

John Garrick and Merle Oberon at Civic.

Based on the famous melodv of the same name, “ The Broken Melodv,” which began at the Civic All-British Theatre to-day, offers entertainment seen only too seldom. Like its very successful predecessors, ‘‘ln a Monastery Garden ” and “ The Lost Chord,” this film, apart from its beautiful melodies, possesses a plot that holds one’s interest from the opening of the story to its dramatic close. John Garrick (who was so popular in “ Lily of Killarney ”) heads the cast, with him being Merle Oberon (last seen in “Henry VIII.”) and Margot Grahame (another universal favourite). John Garrick’s singing of the haunting theme melody in this film is a feature that will be long remembered. Besides the theme melody, several beautiful songs are rendered by the principals and a chorus of fifty over voices. “ The Broken Melody ” tells the story of Paul Velaine, a young composer, who falls in love and marries Simone St Cloud, a Parisian opera singer. lie in turn is loved by Germaine, a cafe

singer. Simone proves unfaithful, and Paul is sent to Devil’s Island for killing her lover. Making a spectacular escape, he returns to Paris to play under an assumed name in his own opera. During the performance he is recognised by the governor of the island. What happens leads up to a brilliant and startling climax. Three fine supports include the latest Pathe Gazettes, and an interesting him showing 100 years of progress in Victoria. Box plans are at the theatre, where seats may be reserved at no extra cost.