ST. JAMES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 913, 5 March 1930, Page 14

ST. JAMES

‘THE DESERT SONG” With greater attendances at every session, “The Desert Song” continues to thrill the audiences at the St. James Theatre. Rarely has such enthusiastic and unanimously favourable comment been passed on either a stage or screen production in this city than that accorded this brilliant all-talking, singing, dancing epic done in beautiful natural colDay after day and night after night large audiences acclaim “The Desert Song,” Warner Bros.’ latest Vitaphone novelty—a complete screen operetta, with music, songs, choruses, dances, dialogue—as one of the most remarkable films yet shown in New Zealand. It is the acme of modern entertainment, and is far more successful than many another spectacular musical show. 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 Song.” Carlotta King, lyric soprano, is a concert and yadio artist of note. Their voices register perfectly on Vitaphone. are true in tone and sweet in quality. Marie Wells and Robert E. Guzman also give splendid singing performances. Others in the excellent cast are John Miljan, Edward Martindel, Myrna Loy, Jack Pratt, Otto Hoffman and Del Elliott. The large chorus is well trained and possesses fine singing voices. Roy Del Ruth’s direction is splendid, and the photography is magnificent. The story is well known, and has been admirably transferred to the speaking screen. The programme at the St. James also includes two other talkie items, an orchestral overture, “Poet and Peasant,” and an all-talking comedy by George Jessel.