LAWRENCE TIBBETT IS STAR IN “ ROGUE SONG

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19241, 1 December 1930, Page 5

LAWRENCE TIBBETT IS STAR IN “ ROGUE SONG

Although “The Rogue Song” now showing at the Theatre Royal deals primarily with the stirring adventures of a fascinating bandit leader, who is also possessed of outstanding qualities as a troubador, the producers have cleverly worked into the story one of the finest displays that the wonderful Albertina Rash ballet . has yet contributed to the talking screen. In fact, the picture contains something for all tastes. There is action, plenty of it, love, deeds of daring, humour, tragedy, and something of the brilliance of Czarist Russia. Lawrence Tibbett, who heads the cast as Yegor, the dashing bandit leader, possesses a resonant baritone voice of excellent quality, and his singing is one of the finest things in the picture. He also acquits himself as an actor, and, being well over the average height, fits the part of a care-free outlaw to perfection- His bravado lands him m trouble of two sorts, however, when he accidentally encounters at a wayside inn two princesses. He causes one to set the soldiers on his track by refusing her amorous advances, and loses his heart to the other. Princess Vera (Catherine Dale Owen). W h.le Yegor is defying danger by attending the market of the nearby town trouble is brewing in his mountain village home. and after a spectacular escape from a thousand or so mounted Imperial nllemen he returns to his mountains to find his sister dead bv her own hand, following her betrayal by the Princess Vera s brother. Prince Serge. The whole picture is done in natural colour, but nowhere does this add more to the presentation than in the ballet scenes. “The Rogue Son £ .. Is . an entertaining picture well woith seeing, if only to hear Lawrence _ Tibbetl’s voice and to see the '’xour—(ormance of the Albertina Rash girls. The supporting features consist of an interesting news reel and a very amusing comedy, “Fast Work .