ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 75, 24 February 1930, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

AT THE PALACE. TRIUMPHANT OPENING OF “DESERT SONG.” If there were any doubts ns to the efficacy of the talkies to (io justice to musical plays they were swept away on Saturday evening by the success of “The Dessert Song,” screened at the Palace Theatre. Mr John Boles leaps into favour by his admirable acting and singing aa the Red Shadow. His is a rich, robust tenor, very sweet and sympathetic. and he uses it like an artist in the “All Alone” theme song, and the athletic “Song of the Riff.'.” But his is not the only voice. Mi-a Carlotta King, if not an inspired Margot, sang the music charmingly, and rose to considerable dra inatic heights in “The Song of the Sword.” There was also a great tenor voice in a minor role, whilst a fine bass organ was displayed by the actor who played Ali Ben Ali. Johnny Arthur as Benny Kidd, and Louise Fazenda as Susan were very funny, and Myna Lo.v, ns Azure, the Arabian dancer, was revealing. So recent was the flesh-and-blood performance here of “The Desert Song” in Palmerston North that it in scarcely necessary to go into elaborate detail over the story, the screen version of which-closely follows that of the stage. It revolves round the picturesque, if rather impossible, figure of the Red Shadow. This heroic will-o’-the-wisp is in reality the non of General Birabeau, in charge of the French forces in Morocco. The son has been unjustly humiliated by his fellow officers, and in revenge he plans to play a dual part, the half-witted son of the General at home and the fearless leader of the Riffis when masquerading as the Red Shadow. As a matter of fact Pierre Birabeau is super-intelligent, and an tho Red Shadow he becomes a figure of glamorous romance to many, including Margot, the General’s ward. She is being forced into marriage with Captain Fontaine, but at the eleventh hour the Riffs descend on the place and Margot is carried off. At first her indignation is very real, but later she falls under the spell of the Red Shadow. DE LUXE "TALKIES.” ALL-TALKING ADAPTATION OF FAMOUS PLAY. Jean Ilcrsholt, one of the screen's greatest character actors, heads the east of “The Climax,” the Universal all-talking film adapted from Edward Lock’s successful play, now screening at the Theatre dc Luxe. Hersholt appears as Luigi Golfanti, a famous tutor who accepts as his pupil a child, Adella, from an obscure and picturesque Italian villa. After months of study in Milan, the girl’s voice deevlops even beyond Luigi’s hopes, and it is arranged for her to sing before Bellini, tho great American impressario. At the test Adclla's voice falters, and Bellini suggests a slight operation to remedy the fault. Tho operation is successful, and the ultimate treatment is placed in the hands of a young doctor, who falls in love with his patient. But, -during her year of training, Adella has given her heart to lictro, Luigi’s son, and tho doctor, realising that her success will make his suit hopeless, sprays her throat with a preparation that impairs her voice. Highly' emotional scenes follow, and tho film has a happy ending. The role of Luigi suits Jean Hersholt perfectly, and he makes a real character of the old tutor. Kathryn Crawford, with her charm and beauty 1 , is Adella. There arc excellent supporting items. NANCY CARROLL IN “SWEETIE.” A great cast appears in the new Paramoun tall-talking picture, "Sweetie,” which shows at the 'J hcatre dc Luxe commencing next Wednesday, at 8 p.m. Built for fun and gladness, “Swetie” is the breath of youth. The story is of youth, the people arc young, and there is happiness throughout. Heading the special cast arc Nancy Carroll. Paramount's popular red head, and Helen Kane, a newcomer to the screen. Both these young ladies add to the excitement and fun of the picture and other prominent roles are taken by Stanley Smith, Jack Oakie and William Austin. All these players arc well-known with tho exception of Stanley Smith, who comes to the screen for the first time. Tho story is fast, fresh and youthful. KOSY THEATRE. RACING ROMEO. Grinding wheels, screeching brakes, straining eyes, weary arms, dust, smoke, flames, collision, smash-up. Frantic, speedcrazed fans crying to the racers, cursing, praying, screaming, while on and on drive the motor maniacs, wheel to wheel, for fame, love —the sheer spirit of adventure.' are tho elements of “Racing Romeo,” now screening at the Ko6.v, which shows how Red’s poor showing in the Pepperville GrandlTPrizc motor race gets him in bad with A*nty Hetty Wayne, whoso niece, Sally, he is in love with. Red is ordered never again to see Sally. Towever, things are patched upanll and the date set for the wedding of Red and Sally Red drives Aunt Hetty to the wedding. Again he gets in bad with her by driving her car at such a breakneck pace that he arouses Sally’s indignation and she refuses to be married to him. He goes into the. race maddened by jealousy, determined to win. Miles of terrific driving, harrowing, break neck moments of suspense and narrowly averted accidents eventually bring him in the winner, both of the race and of Sally. “Captain Swagger,” now showing, is a story dealing with the exploits of two aviators fighting dn opposite sides during the war. They are both heroes in tho eyes of their respective countries, but afterwards their exploits are forgotten. There arc many thrilling incidents in the film, both in war and peace, and the subject is well interpreted by a good caste including Rod la Rocque and Sua Carol.