ST. JAMES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 930, 25 March 1930, Page 15

ST. JAMES

“THE DESERT SONG” Night after night at the St. James \ Theatre large audiences acclaim 4 Tbt ' Desert Song.” Warner Bros.’ latest Yitaphone novelty—a complete screen i operetta, with music, dances, dialogue—as one of the most j remarkable films yet shown in New ' Zealand. John Boles, tenor lead, sang the same j role in the stage presentation of “The j Desert Song.” Carlotta King, lyric j soprano. Is a concert and radio artist ! of note. Their voices register, per- | fectly on Yitaphone, are true in tone { and sweet in quality. Marie Wells, j Robert E. Guzman also give splendid j singing performances. Others in the j 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 ben admirably transferred to the speaking screen. Supporting films of excellent quality comprise the first part of the programme. The interesting evolution of women’s fashions is presented in “Sarah and Son,” Paramount’s picturisation of Timothy Shea’s novel, starring Ruth Chatterton. The first sequence of the Picture is laid in 3 314, and the final action takes place in 1923.