AL JOLSON'S NEW PICTURE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 868, 11 January 1930, Page 16

AL JOLSON'S NEW PICTURE

A 1 Jolson’s third Warner Bros, and Vitaphone production, “Say It With Songs,” is shortly to have its New Zealand premiere. Jolson, the greatest entertainer of his particular world, reaches out and once again touches the heart with his songs. Also appearing with the star is Davey Lee, who walks through the picture with his baby charm. Marion Nixon is delightful in her part, and there are several songs, all of which are excellent and new.

Lila Lee has been signed for the feminine lead opposite Don Mojica in the opera star’s first talking picture, as yet untitled. Clare Kummer is writing the scenario and dialogue Marcel Silver will direct. Mojica, who heretofore has confined his efforts to the concert stage and the Chicago Civic Opera Company, of which he is the most prominent male singer, will play the role of a political outlaw in the Movietone production. The star hails originally from Mexico City, but the good fortune which has accompanied his operatic career has taken him to concert stages all over the countyr. Mojica will not only star in the Fox Movietone production, but will aid in designing his own costumes and choosing his colour schemes.

A billion dollars’ worth of talent was excused from work in all other pictures in production on the Fox Film -lots for a time recently to permit it to appear in “New Orleans Frolic.” Suspension of all studio activity was

necessary because every star and leading player under contract to Fox Film takes part in the production. The highlight of the show is a minstrel play portrayed by some of the country’s greatest artists.

What is claimed to be the longest closeup made in all-talking motion pictures was taken of Lois Moran in “A Song of Kentucky,” Fox 'Movietone romantic comedy-drama. Miss Moran, seated in her private box, shows emo-

tion throughout the whole sequence when the musicians play Jerry Reavis’s composition in which he dramatically tells the story of his illfated love. Miss Moran was called upon to express varied emotions dur-

ing the playing of the symphony as she reacted to the various phases of the music. She is in closeup for nearly twelve minutes, and this is claimed as a record.