AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1930, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

t EVERYBODYS PICTURES

“THE DESERT SONG.”

“The Desert Song,” Warnerr Bros., latest Vitaphone novelty— a complete

screen operetta, with music, '"'.songs,

1 choruses, dances, dialogue—scored another 1 distinct success last night upon iisvsecond' presentation at Princess Theatre. It is a novelty but an enchanting* ‘one, and points the way to still greater jtriumplis 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.cariiera’s power of motion. The desert,(scenes' wore made in a desert and not" in front of painted backdrops. The desert castle of the' Caid, with/the splendors of its Oriental architecture, would fill several stages. The story' gains in dramatic power an pietu resq ueness because of the natural .backgrounds. Warner Bros, were fortunate Til. being able''to select a cast of such excellent singers,‘most of whom have both'stage and screen training. John Bo]<?s|*F4nor ledd, sang the same foie in the stage presentation of “The Desert S6ng’ r7 arul has been a screen'leading man for efal 'years. Carlotta King, lyric l'sot>rario'is a'concert and radio artist of mote-. Tlleir voices register perfectly on Witriphone,. are trite ,in tone and in. quality." Marie Wells, Robert E. Guzirirtiv also give splendid singing., performances. Others in the excelldift ehlst are John Miljan, Edward Martindei, Jack Pratt, Otto Hoffman,, arid Del Elliot. The large chorus is well trained and possess fine singing voices. Roy Del Ruth’s direction is splendid, and the photography is magnificent. The “picture will he prose n n to-night for the last time, and those Who have "not seen it should attend this evening. ; : -y.