ST. JAMES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 920, 13 March 1930, Page 17

ST. JAMES

“THE DESERT SONG” So recent was the flesh-and—blood performance of “The Desert Song” in Auckland that it is scarcely necessary to go into elaborate detail over the story, as the screen version now at the St. James Theatre closely follows that of the stage. It; revolves round the picturesque. if rather impossible, figure of the '.Red Shadow. This heroic will-o‘-the—Wisp is in reality the. son of General Birabeau. in charge of the French forces in Morocco. The son has been un—justly humiliated by his fellow officers. and in revenge he plans to play adual part, the half-witted son of the General at home, and the fearless leader of the Riffs, when masquerading as the Red Shadow. The Riffs also carry off Susie and her comic Bennie, but they are, allowed to return alone across the desert on one donkey, and eventually make their way back to the outpost, temporarily deformed by their forced equestrianism. General Birabeau follows the marauders to their lair, and demands the release of Margot. The final scene sees Pierre arriving back Victorious with the news that he has killed the Red Shadow, and bearing the outlaw’s cloak as proof of his daring. Only then does the general realise that his son and the Red Shadow are one and the same person“ The end is happiness for Margot and Pierre. The St. James is being taxed dur—ing the Week to accommodate all \vho wish to see and hear "The Desert Song."