AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, 17 July 1930, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS

“THE DESERT SONG.” SPECTACULAR FILM AT MAJESTIC * Few who saw the stage presentation of “The Desert Song” in Christchurch last year failed to appreciate its wealth of colour and fine technique. Its adaptation to the screen is equally successful, evidence of which was given by the capacity house which witnessed its initial screening in Timaru last night. “The Desert Song” has played phenomenal seasons in the centres and has been hailed everywhere as the most outstanding triumph’ of the talking screen. A Warner Bros.’ production, it has its setting in the desert of Morocco. The acting throughout is of a very high order, the music excellent, while several magnificent scenes in colour add to its splendour and success. In the leading role of the Red Shadow, John Boles, who made such appeal in “Rio Rita”, is at his best. His pleasing voice and personality dominate the picture while the acting leaves little to be desired. Carlotta King as Margot vies with Boles for screen honours and is charming in the extreme. Genuine comedy is attractively supplied by Louise Fazenda, as Susan, and Johnny Arthur, as Benny. General Birabeau is the officer in charge of the French post in the desert. Margot is his guest. Owing to the injustices done to the natives, Pierre, his son. refuses to enter the ranks. On the other hand, he joins up with the natives as their chief, the Red Shadow, to assist them. Captain Fontaine loves Margot, but is not given a great deal of encouragement. Pierre, too. is fond of her, but he is held off because of his unwillingness to fight. Margot then meets the Red Shadow, and although, reluctantly, is attracted by him. Later, He a gains risks a visit to the French headquarters, and kidnapping Margot, who is about to be married to Fontaine, makes off with her into the desert. The latter, through a native girl with whom he has had several secret dealings, is guided to the palace of the native chief, where the Red Shadow and a handful of his men are the guests. The general, who has accompanied the French forces, challenges the Red Shadow to a duel, which he refuses. This refusal to fight his father is accepted as a sign of weakness by his men, which means only one thing among the desert tribes —expulsion. Margot is taken back to headquarters, and the Red Shadow is formally cast out of the tribe. As a penalty for his weakness he is made to cross the desert unarmed and without water. Hearing of this, the general orders his men to bring him in—dead. He afterwards learns that the man he has ordered to be killed is his son. Great is his joy when his son arrives unharmed. Pierre is forgiven, and Margot again finds happiness when she discovers that the Red Shadow and Pierre are one and the same person. The story lends itself to many lavish and original settings, but the most pleasing features of the production are undoubtedly the numerous songs and choruses, given by Boles and Miss King with a chorus of over a hundred. “The Desert Song” is quite the most spectacular production yet translated to the talking screen.

“TANNED LEGS.” ROYAL THEATRE. A new glimpse of the modern generation with its carefree mode of living is given in Radio’s production now at the Royal Theatre, “Tanned Legs.” The screen at last seems to have caught the spirit of twentieth century youth in this effervescent drama which features Ann Pennington, Arthur Lake, Dorothy Revier, Sally Blane, Albert Gran and June Clyde, a refreshingly new and youthful star whose smile and voice promise to carry her far. Between seeing that her parents do not take their beach flirtations too seriously, and protecting her sister from the ardent woing of Clarence Darrow, Peggy Reynolds has little time for her own love affair with youthful and romantic Bill. More than that, she is the leader of the Croydon Beach “Dynamite Division,” a group of youngsters whose sole surpose in life seems to be the scandalizing of their elders. Learning that Darrow is a blackmailer and is in possession of compromising letters written by the sister, Janet, Peggy pays a midnight visit to his apartment. She fails to get the letters,but hotel guests do not fail to see her as she leaves Darrow's apartment by way of the balcony. Unable to reveal her purpose in the escapade, Peggy is an outcast in the social colony. Even Bill demands an explanation. Having learned that Darrow carries the letters on his person, Peggy arranges with Roger, a sympathetic friend, to fake a holdup the night of the amateur revue on the hotel roof. Meanwhile Janet, enraged at Darrow’s indifference, enters the scene with a revolver. Just as the lights flash off and Roger grabs the letters from Darrow's pocket, she fires The bullet strikes Peggy. in their hotel apartment, doctors report that Peggy’s wound is superficial. Alone with her family, she produces the letters, upbraids Janet for having denounced her after the balcony episode. Bill enters and Peggy promises that now, with her family troubles settled, she will give serious attention to their own affair. Five new songs by Levant and Clare promise to outbid their "Street Girl" numbers for popularity. Two of these are “With Me, With You,” and ‘'You’re Responsible.”