PATHOS AND HUMOUR

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 786, 5 October 1929, Page 18

PATHOS AND HUMOUR

“ABIE’S IRISH ROSE” PLAZA’S FINE PROGRAMME # I Grave and gay, musical and dramatic, the new talkie programme which was presented to a record house at the Plaza Theatre last evening, was as happy a com- j bination of entertainment as has j been presented in a city theatre for j some time. Ann© Nichols's “Abie’s Irish Rose,” which is the chief attraction, is one of the most humorous pictures ever made. A broad statement that, but it is a statement of fact, and can be proven by any who attended the Plaza to see it. As a screen play, “Abie” is even more entertaining than it was behind the footlights. It has been made into a sweeping, amusing broadside against intolerance, racial hatred and bigotry*; but at no time does it preach. It is always entertaining. In short, “Abie’s Irish Rose” is the story of a Jewish lad, Abie Levy, who meets, wooes and weds an Irish girl, Rosemary Murphy. Their parents object to the match, but their complaints come too late, for they were first married by a Methodist minister, then to please the Jewish father, a rabbi joined them. The third ceremony was performed by, a Catholic priest, but still the parents objected and disowned their children. Christmas comes around, and twins are born. These twins, one with an Jewish name and the other with an Irish, bring the two families together in a bond of happiness. A great theme is that. Its greatness should not be told thus briefly, nor can the beautiful touches of the picture be described is so few words. To see the picture is to realise that such a topic has never before been so finely translated to the screen. Anne Nichols supervised the production of “Abie’s Irish Rose.” The players include ’ Jean Hers holt, as Solomon Levy; Charles Rogers, as Abie; Nancy Carroll, as Rosemary: J. Farrell MacDonald, as Patrick Murhpy; Bernard Gorcey and Ida Kramer, as Mr. ajid Mrs. Isaac Cohen; and Camillus Pretal and Nick Cogley, as the Jewish rabbi and the Irish priest. This picture is not an all-talkie, but there are several talking sequences in addition to a full sound and musical accompaniment. Nancy Carroll sings very sweetly in one part of the story, “Rosemary” and “Little Irish Rose.” The first part of the programme, which consisted of a number of short talkie items, was really an entertainment in itself. Every item was even clearer than one could expect from a concert platform. First there was a picturesque musical ensemble introducing a famous Rus.sian troupe of singers in a series of peasant songs and dances filmed in the snows of the River Don. Their items were reminiscent of the Don Cossacks who were here some time ago. Prolonged applause was accorded the singing of the two well-known grand opera stars, Gigh and Talley. Their glorious voices were heard in the duet from Act. I. of the opera “Lucia di Lamermoor.” It is a rare musical treat to be able to hear such famous singers here in Auckland. Other items were a gazette and a comprehensive selection of the world’s news, and a novelty in a sound cartoon. This last was entitled “Old Melodies,” and introduced such old favourites as . “Auld Lang Syne” and “Merrily We Roll Along,” to an amusing cartoon description. All in all, the new Plaza programme is excellent entertainment.