“THE SENTIMENTAL BLOKE.”

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1546, 11 December 1919, Page 40

“THE SENTIMENTAL BLOKE.”

DENNIS’ POEM VISUALISED

In “The Sentimental Bloke” film, Mr. E. J. Carroll has shown that Australia can hold her own in the way of big picturisations, crowded sessions at the Strand ITieatre proving unanimity on this point. C. J. Dennis’ delightful narrative of the Australian tough, “Bill,” enjoys worldwide popularity, and in its visualisation the human appeal which is so strong throughout the poem is enhanced by the faithful drawing in of the characters created by the author. The film expresses all the main incidents of the verses, Arthur Tauchert acting the “Bloke”, to the life, with Lottie Lyell as his Doreen, just as true to type. A photograph of Dennis himself, the solo “Doreen” by Mr. Stan Pritchard, and you are ready for Brl when he steps into the screen with. his grouch:

The world ’as got me snouted jist a treat; Crool Forchin’s dirty left ’as smote me soul; An’ all them joys o’ life I ’eld so sweet Is up the pole. Fer, as the poit sez, me ’art ’as got The pip wiv yearnin’ fer —T dunno wot. Then follow all the episodes in Bill’s life —his capture in a two-up school raid; his “intro” to the little jam factory girl, Doreen; his courtship—’Er eyes! Soft in the moon; such boshter eyes! An’ when they sight a bloke. . . . O, spare me days! ’R g-oes all loose inside; such glamour lies In ’er sweet gaze. It makes ’im all ashamed uv wot ’e’s been To look into the eyes of my Dqreen. —his jealousy of the “stror ’at coot,” his interviews with his pal, Ginger Mick, then the wedding, the migration to the fruit farm, and the birth of the baby—all ordinary happenings, but when crowned with Bill’s vernacular they are revealed as a symphony in slum romance. And the audience are quick to follow the rare humour of it all, and come away refreshed by its simple human touch and its quaint unfolding. A specially augmented orchestra touches up the verses. “The Sentimental Bloke” will be screened continuously all the week.