FILM “EVENSONG.”

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19451, 15 December 1934, Page 17 (Supplement)

FILM “EVENSONG.”

WILL IT BE BANNED? 'MELBA AND BEVERLEY NIGHOLS. Mr Browning Mummery, the Melbourne tenor, one of the singers In the film “Evensong,” which has not yet been passed by the Commonwealth Film Gonsor (Mr Cresswell O’Reilly), said that he had not seen the picture, but while working on it he had heard no reason for any excision. Mr Mummery, who recently returned as a principal of Sir Benjamin Fuller's Grand Opera Company, said the film could not he associated with Dame Nellie Melba as had been stated. He understood the central character was largely a sympathetic role. Mr Mummery said he would have refused to work on any picture which was a slight on the memory of Melba. The late diva had been very good to him, and had brought him from Italy to sing at her farewell operatic appearances at Govent Garden, London, and the Old Vic.

“ NOT BANNED.” THE BOARD TO DECIDE. It was recently stated that the film was to be banned on account of alleged reflections on the- late Dame Nellie Melba. * The Australian representative cf -Gaumont British Films (Mr A. J. Williamson) stated that, so far as his company knew, the film “ Evensong ’’ had not been banned by the censor. He expected a decision in a fortnight. “ I can see no reason why the film should be banned,” said Mr Williamson. “We have always been on good terms with the censor and have always been prepared to consider his wishes. “The film differs from the book by Beverley .Nichols in that the central figure Is shown in early girlhood.” It Is understood that the film will be viewed by the Appeals Board, and that a decision will then be announced. World Premiere. It is a Gaumont-British production In which. Evelyn 'Laye appears *as the star. A London correspondent of “ The Sydney Sun ” in a recent article reviewed “ Evensong ” after its world premiere at the London Tivoli. The film showed the life of the singer from early girlhood in Ireland. Its title was perhaps a little misleading, but it was brilliantly directed by Victor Saville, and provided a really fine part for Evelyn Laye. “Evensong” has a musical background with an International cast, Including Mile. Delysia (the French star recently in Australia), Conchita Supervia (the Spanish singer), Browning Mummery, Carl Esmond (Hungarian), Fritz Kortner (German), Arthur Sinclair (Irish), Emlyn Williams (Welsh).