“THE DESERT SONG”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 906, 25 February 1930, Page 15

“THE DESERT SONG”

ATTRACTION FOR ST. JAMES Screen operetta is now a fact. Through the magic of the talking picture, “The Desert Song,” one of the most tuneful and most popular musical plays ever shown on the stage, has been brought to the screen, and has been produced on a scale that would be impossible in the theatre. Sigmund Romberg’s score with its magnifice.it choruses and the lilting charm of its beautiful solo numbers, has been reproduced by Vitaphone in all its original glory. The remarkable production qualities included in “The Desert Song” have been equalled by the unusual excellence of the all-star cast presented by Warner Brothers. The scenes throughout the picture are especially beautiful, ranging from an extensive French military post in Morocco to encampments of the Red Shadow* and his band of native Riffs in rocky passes of the mountains, and far-flung vistas of the rolling sands of the great African deserts, with the Riffs, singing as they go, riding their magnificent horses at break-neck speed into the setting sun. The all-star cast of “The Desert Song” includes John Boles, Douise Fazenda. Carlotta King, Johnny .Arthur, John Miljan, Marie Wells, .iack Pratt, Edward Martindel, Otto Hoffman, Robert E. Guzman. Myrna Loy and many others, as well as a chorus of one hundred beautiful voices. Rov Del Ruth directed, and the operetta, was adapted for the screen by Harvey H. Gates. “The Desert Song” will be the attraction at the St. James Theatre in ! a few days. “Sarah and Son,” a *filmisation of ' Timothy Shea’s famous novel, starring i Ruth Chatterton, is rapidly nearing ' completion at the Hollywood studios. if'redrio AJarch play* oppoait* ths pt*r.