AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18620, 16 July 1930, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

“TANNED LEGS” AT THE THEATRE ROYAL TO-NIGHT. “Tanned Legs,” a sparkling musical comedy of vivid youth produced by Radio Pictures, opens at the Theatre Royal this evening. It is one of the first tuneful shows to be written directly for the screen, with five superb original song numbers, and a chorus of 40 Hollywood beauties. The outstanding cast of film celebrities Is headed by a little newcomer named June Clyde. She had been in pictures but two months when RKO officials chose her for one of the most coveted roles of the season. Her pert personality, lovely voice, and the fact that she has the prize pair of limbs in filmdom are responsible for her selection. Ann Pennington, famous Ziegfed star, and owner of the 100,000 dollar knees, will be seen in several specialty dances with Allen Kearns, also a Broadway favourite. Albert Gran, the beloved old taxi driver of “Seventh Heaven,” portrays the faststepping poppa, finally brought to his senses by his youthful daughter. “Tanned Legs” Reynolds (June Clyde). The super-sound spectacle is replete with laughs, thrills, and melodies that promise to keep feet tapping during every performance. Victor Baravalle and his orchestra furnish the music with a counter melody by the Pacific Ocean. Fuller-Haywards will also screen a choice selection of short subjects including a Mickey McGuire comedy, the latest Paramount Sound News, Miss | Amy Johnson in Sydney, and k clever comedy “The Suitor.” Seats may be booked without extra charge through ’phone 570.

“ THE DESERT SONG” SEASON COMMENCES WITH MATINEE TO-DAY. “The Desert Song,” Warner Bros.’ Vitaphone novelty—a complete screen operetta, wtih music, songs, choruses, dances, dialogue—will undoubtedly score a magnificent success when it opens this afternoon at the Majestic. It is a novelty, but an enchanting one, and points the way to still greater triumphs for talking and singing pictures—the production of entire grand operas upon the screen. “The Desert Song” retains all the charm, colour action, romance and tropic love of the stage production, but greatly enhanced by the motion picture camera’s power of motion. The desert scenes were made in a desert and not in front of painted backdrops. The desert castle of the Caid, with the splendours of its Oriental architecture, would fill several stages. The story gains in dramatic power and picturesqueness because of the natural backgrounds. Warner Bros, were fortunate in being able to select a cast of such excellent singers, most of whom have had both stage and screen training. John Boles, tenor lead, sang the same role in the stage presentation of “The Desert Song,” and has been a screen leading man for several years. Carlotta King, lyric soprano, is a concert and radio artist of note. Their voices register perfectly on Vitaphone, are true in tone and sweet in quality. Marie Wells, Robert E. Guzman also. give splendid singing performances. Others in the excellent cast are John Miljan, Edward Martindel, Myrna Loy, Jack Pratt, Otto Hoffman and Del Elliott. The large chorus is well trained and posses fine singing voices. Roy Del Ruth’s direction is splendid, and the photography is magnificent. The story is that of a Frenchman who becomes a sort of Robin Hood of the desert. Disguised as the Red Shadow, he leads a band of desert tribesmen. His father, commander of the French garrison, seeks to capture him. He loves Margot, his father’s ward, and makes love to her in his own person and as the Red Shadow. In the latter character, he kidnaps her and, refusing to fight a duel with his own father for her possession, is deposed by the tribesmen and sent out in the desert to perish. He returns as the heroic vanquisher of the Red Shadow and Margot discovers that her two lovers are the same person. “The Desert Song” is one of the best entertainments the screen has ever offered. An additional attraction of importance will be a Fox Sound film of the arrival in Sydney of Miss Amy Johnson. This not only reproduces the sound of the cheering crowds, but patrons will also hear this wonderful woman thanking the Australians for their whole-hearted reception. Box plans are at the Bristol. A matinee will take place this afternoon.