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A Welsh Singer

A Welsh Singer
Promotional image for the film, printed in a contemporary advertisement.
Directed byHenry Edwards
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguagesSilent
English intertitles

A Welsh Singer (1915) is a British romantic film based on a novel of the same name. Marketing emphasised the attractive scenery of the film's Welsh setting. It was praised by British newspapers but received a mixed review in an American magazine.

Plot

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The film is lost.[1] The British Film Institute describes it as a "Romance set in Wales. Shepherdess becomes opera star, shepherd becomes a sculptor."[2]

Production

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The film was made in the United Kingdom[2] by the Turner Film Company.[2] It was based on the novel A Welsh Singer by Allen Raine.[3] The director was Henry Edwards who also appeared in the film; other actors included Campbell Gullan, Malcolm Cherry, Una Venning, Fred Rains and Florence Turner.[2][4] Edith Evans, who mainly acted in theatre, made her first film appearance in the film but would not appear in a film again until acting in The Last Days on Dolwyn in 1948.[5]

Reaction

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The film was released in 1915.[2] An advertisement aimed at cinema owners in a trade magazine, The Bioscope, encouraged them to "Book this all-British film. It will not let you down. Never before has a film been produced with such artistic feeling and so cleverly acted."[6] An advertisement in the North Wales Weekly News described the film as "The Gem of the Season ... [based on] Allen Raine's great Welsh novel".[7] An advertisement in the Runcorn Weekly News commented "Cymru-am-Byth [Wales Forever]. An Exclusive Masterpiece in 4 Acts ... Every lover of Wales should see this great Picture, taken amid the glorious and enchanting scenery of Wales."[8] An advertisement in the Buckinghamshire Examiner called the film "A Beautiful English Drama, adapted from the Well-known Novel by Allan Raine".[9]

A review in Grimsby News commented that the film would "rank as one of the most popular of the year". It praised the quality of some of the "typical Welsh scenes" such as "the huge flocks of sheep on the rugged mountains... the circus procession, the interior of the circus ... the crowded concert room, the subsequent fire and rescue from the concert hall".[10] A review in the Birkenhead News commented that "Everywhere 'A Welsh Singer' has been shown it has been received with acclamation, because it strikes a new note in film production. It is a picture of outstanding merit, a story which never fails to please — a story of love charmingly told amidst the entrancing mountain wildness of Wales and the hustle and toil of London."[11] An article in the Porthcawl News noted that the film "should appeal to all Welsh folk, and is worthy of a visit."[12] The American trade magazine, Variety, gave a less enthusiastic review of the film. It praised the quality of Turner's acting and said the film was better than a previous film she had appeared in. However, it described a scene where a character did not recognise his former love interest as "unconvincing". The review concluded that there was "no doubt" that the film would be "acceptable" for cinemas.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Dave Berry, Film Historian (1943–2010)". Early Popular Visual Culture. 8 (2): 233–235. May 2010. doi:10.1080/17460651003732291. ISSN 1746-0654.
  2. ^ a b c d e "A Welsh Singer (1915)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 16 January 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  3. ^ "Local". North Devon Journal. 27 July 1916. p. 4.
  4. ^ "A Welsh Singer (1915) - Cast". ftvdb.bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 25 January 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  5. ^ "Evans, Dame Edith Mary". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/31087. (Subscription, Wikipedia Library access or UK public library membership required.)
  6. ^ "Florence Turner in a Welsh Singer". The Bioscope. 9 March 1916. p. 26.
  7. ^ "A Welsh Singer". North Wales Weekly News. 27 April 1916. p. 1.
  8. ^ "A Welsh Singer". Runcorn Weekly News. 30 June 1916. p. 4.
  9. ^ "The Welsh Singer". Buckinghamshire Examiner. 13 October 1916. p. 2.
  10. ^ "The Welsh Singer". Grimsby News. 9 June 1916. p. 7.
  11. ^ "A Welsh Singer". Birkenhead News. 29 April 1916. p. 3.
  12. ^ "The Coliseum". Porthcawl News. 12 October 1916. p. 4.
  13. ^ "Film reviews: A Welsh Singer". Variety. August 1916. p. 23. ProQuest 1529232626.
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