AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18622, 18 July 1930, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

“TANNED LEGS.” AT THE ROYAL.

Another of R.K.O's. bright productions is now screening at the Royal Theatre. “Tanned Legs’’ is a charming story of modern youth with its freedom and independence. The featured players are June Clyde, Arthur Lake. Sally Blane, Allen Kearns, Nella Walker, Albert Gran. Edmund Burns, Dorothy Revier, Ann Rennington and Lincoln Stedwan. The story concerns the efforts of Peggy to rescue her younger sister from the clutches of a blackmailing suitor, and the resultant difficulties into which she falls. In an endeavour to retrieve some letters from the man, she visits his rooms at night, and is seen leaving the premises. The finger of scandal is pointed at her, and she becomes a social outcast. Nevertheless, she wins through in the end, and the way in which she achieves her object forms the basis of a pretty story. The production contains five song hits. “With Me, With You,” "Tanned Legs,” "Come On In,” “Take a Lesson from You,” “You’re Responsible,” are all catchy melodies which should become popular. A feature of the picture is the numerous bathing scenes in which the most lavish of bathing dresses are revealed. A few years ago nobody thought of fashions in bathing costumes. Any old thing that could be hired at the bathing sheds was good enough to take a dip in. But to-day, beach fashions are as important any other. “Tanned Legs” sports all that is the latest and smartest in male and female beach attire. The latest creations are worn by the finest and shapeliest of girls ever gathered together in one production. Supports include a Mickey McGuire comedy, Amy Johnson in Sydney, and a Paramount Sound News.

‘THE DESERT SONG.” I SPECTACULAR MUSICAL FILM. If the large audience waxed en- | thusiastic over the initial presentation of "The Desert Song” on Wednesday night, no less marked was the appreciation expressed by last night’s house of the splendour and fine qualities of the film. The film has created unprei cedented enthusiasm among local I patrons, and it is no idle boast to proclaim this the best production that I has yet been presented to Timaru audiences. Many people have attended a session purely to make a comparison between the beautiful play which was recently staged at the Theatre Royal by J. C. W lliamson’s touring company, and the film version. There can be no argument as to which is the superior entertainment—the film version is far ahead of its rival. Better j scenery and better acting are evident , throughout the screening. The stage | itself in New Zealand has not been ! graced by two such perfect artists as Carlotta King and John Eoles, the original players in the New York presentation of “The Desert Song.” Their voices are a joy. Carlotta King’s performances in her many songs raised the audience to a pitch of enthusiasm, but she achieved her supreme triumph in the “Sabre and Mirror” songs when she suddenly burst the full strength of her amazing top notes upon the enraptured audience. John Boles has a marvellous voice, and in “One Alone” and "The Desert Song” number itself he was superb. It follows that it is impossible to adequately describe the duets given by the two artists. Each of the principals in the cast has been chosen for his or her vocal ability, with the result that there is presented .one of the greatest arrays of talent ever seen upon stage or screen, while the chorus work of the ensemble of 104, supported by an orchestra of 109 ’ players, completes this triumph of music. On the comedy side there are two of the funniest and most natural comedians imaginable. Johnny Arthur is Benny Kidd, the society reporter in Morocco for the sake of his health, and his partner in fun is the inimitable Louise Fazenda. Others in the cast are Myrna Loy as Azuri, the halfcaste native who causes most of the trouble, Otto Hoffman and John Milan. The beautiful desert scenes are gems of natural colour work and unequalled previously. The whole performance is presented as a colossal stage operetta, preceded by the full overture by the Vitaphone Symphony Orchestra. For supreme screen entertainment, “The Desert Song” is without rival, and should not be missed. There will be a matinee to-day at 1.30.