Count John McCormack — Great Tenor Lands Five Salmon

Galway Observer, July 5, 1930.

An admiring crowd from the Salmon Weir Bridge on Monday,watched John McCormack the famous tenor, kill five salmon.

Mr. McCormack looks in the pink of condition and cast his line after the manner of an old time Waltonian.

Mr.John McCormack had the services of Mr. M. J. Lyden in his captures.

The great tenor, it is of interest to state, is responsible for the great "talkie" picture of "Song O' My Heart" which is now entering on its sixth splendid week at the Prince Edward Theatre, London.

Some of the scenes were "shot" in the Claddagh, Galway. The film has been acclaimed by the Press and public as the most precious gem that ever came out of a studio shop.

The excitement in Ireland over this picture is almost greater than it was before the London premiere. Arrangements are being made for a special run of "Song O' My Heart" at the Metropole Cinema, Dublin.

Already there have been so many inquiries from the public that it is expected that the opening night on August 4th, will make Dublin history. A special booking office is being opened in off the main streets to cope with the extraordinary amount of advance booking.

When the film is released for the province it will be shown in the Empire Theatre, Galway.

It is of interest to state thatCount McCormack was paid $10,000 a week for the 13 weeks for his work in connection with the film.

This is the most perfectly recorded film I have heard, states a writer in a London journal referring to "Song O' My Heart". Most of the time it is difficult to believe that the sound is not really Mr.McCormack's rich melodious voice. He sings eleven songs in all, most of them casually, in a way, as a logical part of the story. The telling of the story has been set to the measure of the tenor's acting ability. It is simple and naturalistic, and the director Mr. Frank Borzage, has had to tell in dialogue a good deal which, no doubt, he would have preferred to explain in action.

Briefly, in the film Mr. McCormack is a famous singer, who has retired broken—hearted to an Irish village. The woman who should have been his wife, arrives with her two children. The singer undertakes a return to public life in America and, when the mother dies during his tour, he becomes the protector of the children for his old love's sake. The parts of the children are played by two young Irish people, Maureen O Sullivan andTommy Clifford, who were 'discovered' while certain of the scenes were being filmed in Ireland. Miss O Sullivan reveals possibilities of becoming a screen actress of sensitivity and charm.Tommy Clifford, is perfect as a cocksure little boy.