Sonny Boy (Warner Bros.) (1929)

DAVEY LEE in. “SONNY BOY’’ — Warner Bros. Latest Vitaphone Talking Picture NI FEATURES FOR R NEWSPAPERS be Soone om’Sonn y boy starring Dovey Lee ~ : ~f Warner Bros. Production SONNY BOY’S FIRST NIGHT AWAY FROM HOME “God bless Mother and Daddy and Aunty Winnie and Grandpa and lots more people ....I’m too sleepy to remember....Amen.” Production No. 6—Cut or Mat NEW YORK REVIEWERS ALL SING DAVEY’S PRAISES Davey Lee made his starring debut last night as “Sonny Boy.” The darling little lad who so sensationally supported Al Jolson in “The Singing Fool,” gives us his own interpretation of the “Sonny Boy” theme song (and mighty cutely, too). . Davey Lee is as sweet a youngster as has set movie fans ga-ga since Jackie Coogan reached his cinema heights some nine years ago. And now—the talkies, which gives the infant prodigy a chance to put the movie titles to baby-lisping celluloid. Also a chance to warble in childish tones, off-key but charmingly, in a way which makes you want to put your arms around him and hug him, and call him pet names—the “Sonny Boy” tune. —lIrene Thirer, New. York Daily News. Davey Lee is the cutest baby the screen ever has exploited. If you had any idea this “Sonny Boy” at Warners would be just another one of those mother-love things you were fooled. For it turns out to be a farce instead of a tear-milker. And it’s amusing light entertainment. Davey plays an innocent part in the divorce complications of his young parents and he provokes a nice romance for his Aunt Winnie. He also sings “Sonny Boy,” Al Jolson’s theme song from “The Singing Fool.” And how he sings it! —Bland Johaneson, New York Mirror. ee is indeed a very clever child, and although such youngsters, through what they do and, in this case, say on the screen, impress one as being more than slightly precocious, Davey Lee possesses a great deal of natural charm. There was many a rousing outburst or laughter at a word or two from the diminutive Davey. His childish speech was not always distinct, but what he said might not have been understood in real life: However, whether or not one understood his lines, they nevertheless carried a strong appeal to one’s heart. It might almost be said that he is good-natured, for he appeared to enjoy all his work in the picture, and those who see him saying his prayers will not easily forget his line as he asks God to bless his mother and father, and then adds that: he is too tired to think of all the others. So off he goes to slumberland. —Mordaunt Hall, New York Times.. MANTLE OF STARDOM FALLS LIGHTLY ON WEE SHOULDERS OF DAVEY LEE Davey Lee, the adorable ‘‘Sonny Boy’’ of ‘‘The Singing Fool,’’ Al Jolson’s second Vitaphone picture, is the heir apparent to the cinematic throne once held by Jackie Coogan, when he was the whimsical ‘‘Kid’’ of Charley Chaplin’s earlier masterpieces. Wistful and imaginative, this new Prince Charming wears the ermine cloak that fell from the youthful shoulders of a Coogan, in a manner that distinguishes him as an artist of royal theatrical blood. Until last summer Davey Lee was merely a three-year-old kid, romping the Los Angeles streets and playing with his toy soldiers. At the end of the summer he was a young prince in the land of cinema, the “Sonny Boy’ of Al Jolson. In the fall of this year he was acclaimed by a first night audience in New York as a charming, accomplished actor. He reached greatness in his first effort, as did his predecessor, Jackie Coogan. Davey’s career is not unlike that of Jackie’s. Both made their debut in motion pictures with great stars. Both had erucial roles, the least mishap on the part of either being possible to ruin the picture. In the elimactic scenes of “The Singing Fool” and “The Kid,” Davey and Jackie were the really important actors. Jolson and Chaplin depended upon them for the decisive effect of the entire play. But Davey’s debut may be said to have been more difficult, for “The Singing Fool” was a Vitaphone talking picture and Davey had many priceless lines to speak. None realized the importanee of the child better than Jolson, himself, and after the opening at the Winter Garden in New York, he said: “You know, I was terribly nervous over the kid. He could ruin everything, turn pathos into bathos. One slip would have killed our chances. I decided to teach him his lines myself, and I must say, he proved an Davey Lee DAVEY LEE Sonny Boy— When I see you With your shaggy Pal at play, I long to be A boy again, If only for a day! Take me by the Hand, O Davey Lee, Lead me to the Land Of used-to-be — apt pupil. Not once did he stare at Skies are always the camera. He was naturalness itBlue there, self.” Friends are always True there, Davey Lee is the cynosure of Jolson’s eyes. Jolson is his discoverer and his tutor. During the months Let me be of the production of “The Singing : Fool” he coached young Davey in With you there, every scene and watched him with Davey Lee/— paternal interest. “Sonny Boy” is ; the first Warner Bros. Vitaphone . . picture in which Davey is | Romping in the clover You and I and Rover And when day After “The Singing Fool,” Davey | appeared in Warner Bros. Vitaphone produetion, “Frozen River,” with Rin-Tin-Tin, and this is his own Is over, “Sonny Boy.” Previewed by critics, Davey tT pens both these pictures were claimed to e Homeward, enhance the splendid work which the boy did in his debut with Jolson. Davey Lee has ascended the throne Through the night, To the twinkling vacated by Jackie Coogan. Each z little boy, however, was absolutely Light— individual, There is no point in Home again Davey’s acting when it can be said To mother— that he reminds one of somebody else, Davey Lee. Davey Lee, in “Sonny Boy,” Warner Bros. Vitaphone talking picture now playing at the Theatre. Sonny Boy Let me follow Over hills And far away— And let me play At make believe, If for only a day. Harry LEE. IF YOU WERE EVER A KID, SEE DAVEY! Davey Lee, four-year-old star, is now playing at the Theatre in “Sonny Boy,’ Warner Bros. latest Vitaphone talking picture. Edward Everett Horton, Betty Bronson, Gertrude Olmstead and others support the wonder child. The story is by Leon Zuardo. C. Graham Baker did the scenario. Archie L. Mayo directed. : Above Cut of Davey Lee Stock S-241—Cut or Mat Order Separately OWN IN FRON “Washington News’’ MAYBELLE JENNINGS The amusement world is interested now in the future of Davey Lee, the Sonny Boy of “The Singing Fool,” and his first starring vehicle, “Sonny Boy.” It, watched. Jackie Coogan grow from an adorable infant to a longlegged little fellow—saw him shed his first mouthful of teeth and acquire his second—and today’ hears of him playing in London musie halls with the elder Coogan. Years ago we worried about what would become of him when he grew out of his small-child parts—now it is young Davey whose future concerns us. If Davey were an ordinary film ibaby, it would not be hard. We might prophesy that in three or four years he would become the typieal fresh prodigy—ill-mannered and disrespectful. Davey cannot be drawn and quarjtered in any such fashion. In the ifirst place, he is a genuine mimetie | artist, and in the second place he is ‘being most carefully nurtured by his family. He has done three or four excellent jobs of movie posturing already, and so far has failed to -exhibit an iota of smartiness, that quality which so quickly carpets the cutting-room floor with childish faces. The baby must be shielded as long as possible from the pomps and vanities of the foolish world into which Al Jolson so recently thrust him with a platinum spoon in his mouth. He must be taught to care for his body, to keep his mind alive but more than all else, if he is to continue to perfect the natural art which seemingly is his, he must be taught to see to it that his soul remains receptive. As yet his artistic chastity %s maintained—he does not know what all the shooting is for. If his family be wise—and I suspect from what I have seen of Davey that they are -—the youngster will continue long in his innocent way. It is our business to sit on the sidelines and root. With continued breaks and care this big-eyed one will see the top some day. Sc Scene from Sonny Boy ee Davey Lee A Warner Bros. Production “IT’S PART OF A GAME!” Production No. 7—Cut or Mat Yrs