AMUSEMENTS.

Wairarapa Age, 26 July 1930, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

COSY THEATRE. ROMANCE OF THE RIO GRANDE. That Fox Movietone spared nothing to give its new western drama everything to make an epochal production, is revealed in the extraordinary galaxy of players an * 1 Romance of Rio Grande,” > which Warner Baxter, Mary Duncan and Antonio Moreno, three of the company’s ranking favourites, have the principal roles, and notable in support are Robert Edeson and Mona Maris. tl Romance of Rio Grande” is a story of the wkst in pioneer times revolving around the opposing forces seeking to conquer the plains, and especially one particular vast estate below the Rio Grande border. It is an adaption of Katherine Gerould’s stirring novel of the Spanish conquistadors, titled * ‘ Conquistador/ 1 and in its conversion to the talking screen, Alfred iSantell, the in* ctor, has done a masterful job in retaining the poignant ’ beauty of locale and pulsating romance which predominates the story. Antonio Moreno, a veteran among film leading men, diverts his type for the first time in liis long and interesting career and plays a menace role. Like Baxter and Miss Duncan, Moreno is destined to reap benefits afforded stage trained players in speaking pictures. There is a good supporting sound programme which includes the arrival of Piper and Kaye in Australia. Book immediately at Vare’s. TALKIES AT OPEBA HOUSE. COMMENCING THIS AFTERNOON. The “talkies” are coming to the Opera House and the first picture, Warner Bros, all talking, singing and dancing musical comedy, “The Desert Song” commences a four-night season to-day with a matinee this afternoon. It is a complete screen operetta, with music, songs, choruses, dances and dialogue. The talking plant' installed is the same as the 100 per cent, successful plant in operation at the Cosy Theatre. 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 Gong,” and has been a screen leading man for several years. Carlotta Kang, lyric soprana, 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 Mar\indel, Myrna Loy, Jack Pratt, Otto Roffman and Del Elliott. The large chorus is well trained and posfeese fine singing voices. Roy Del Ruth’s direction is splendid, and the photography is magnificent. “The Desert Song” is one of the best entertainments the screen has ever offered. Box plans ■ are now open at Vare’s. Free list is entirely suspended.