STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 801, 23 October 1929, Page 16

STRAND

“THE JAZZ SINGER*' Warner Bros.’ supreme triumph, A 1 Jolson in “The Jazz Singer,” is now at the Strand Theatre. Jolson, in his first motion picture, outclasses even his spectacular record as a King of Jazz. . The story is that of a Jewish boy who ran away from an orthodox home to conquer Broadway. At the pinnacle of success he is confronted with the problem of returning to appear in the synagogue in place of his dying father, or staying to win the lady and the praise of the world. A 1 Cohn wrote the scenario and the play is based on Samson Raphaelson's stage success. Alan Crosland directed. A 1 Jolson and “The Jazz Singer”—two wonders not to be missed. The cast is worthy of the star. Dainty May McAvoy plays brilliantly the part of the toe dancing lady, who changed the course of his life. Warner Oland gives a magnificent portrayal of the father, for whose sake lie returns to the Ghetto in the hour of his triumph. Others in the cast are Eugenie Besserer as the mother. Otto Lederer as the importunate Uncle Moisha, Bobbie Gordon as the jazz singer when a child, Richard Tucker, Nat Carr, William Demarest Anders Randolf and Will Walling. Equally enjoyable are the supporting talkie items. They include songs by Reinwald Werenath, the eminent baritone, who sings “The Road to Mandalay,” a humorous sketch entitled “The Reformer,’ by Joe Browning. American comedian, an Eve’s Review and a new edition of the Fox Movietone News, with events of the day in sight and sound.