CRYSTAL PALACE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19888, 27 March 1930, Page 7

CRYSTAL PALACE.

Almost as popular as the stage play same name ha# "The Desert Sonjf, * the Crystal Palace Theatre, become. Some of the exteriors, notably the French military post on the edge of the Moroccan desert, and the palace of ah lien Ali in the sandy wastes, ore Me examples of what can be accomplished in the way of production. Then the male chorus is one of the best-trained ever heard, ana John Boles, in the tenor lead, is a distinct success both as the mysterious and reckless Bod Shadow and the pathetically stupiu Pierre Birabeau, Boles has sung in opposite Geraldine Parrar, and is certainly tho best tenor in .pictures, and one ol tjje best actors. Carlotta King is Margot, tne French girl fresh from a convent, who meets with such amazing adventures in Morocco. "THE LOVE PARADE." MAURICE CHEVALIER IN SONG, DANCE, AND STORY. Comic opera of the jolliest variety awaits the theatregoer at Crystal Palace Theatre next week, when Maurice Chevalier's latest film production, "The Love Parade," will open a season. The audible screen has disclosed no more pleasing entertainer than Chevalier, whose loss all Paris mourns. In his first picture ho gave a hint of what he was capable of, but in "The Love Parade, which, with the assistance of the director, Ernst Lubitsch, he has turned into a piquant confection of song,, dance, romance, and humour, he quite excels even the famous Chevalier of the Moulin Rouge. It is a story written for the screen by Ernst Vadja, the Hungarian playwright, who specialises in just such airy trifles, and who is particularly happy when sporting with kings and queens and nobles as his pieces. The music is by Victor Schertzinger, and some of the eongß, "Parisl Stay the Same," "Anything to Please the Queen," "Nobody's ÜBing it Now," and "Let's be Common," are new and melodious works for the musical screen. If Chavelier and his Queen. Jeanette Macdonald, supply all the romance that is necessary, one looks for sheer comedy from Lilian Roth as her Majesty's maid, and Lupino Lane, as Count Alfred's valet. Perhaps in real palaces maids and valets do not enjoy quite so much publicity, but this is Chevalier's palace, and there one looks for Parisian gaiety, and not formality. Altogether, "The Love Parade" is one of the most delectable productions of this or any other season, with a star who has no equal, and a soprano lead in Jeanette Macdonald who Is going to bo one of the great favourites of the screen. The box plans for the season open at The Bristol Piano Company this morning.