ST. JAMES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 934, 29 March 1930, Page 15

ST. JAMES

“THE DESERT SONG” Tli© tuneful screen version of the famous “Desert Song” continues to hold sway at the St. James Theatre. The story is that of a Frenchman who becomes a sort of Robin Hood of the Riffs in Morocco. Disguised as the Red Shadow, he leads a band of desert tribesmen. His father, commander of the French garrison, seeks to capture him. He loves Margot, his father’s ward, and" makes love to her in his own person and as the Red Shadow. In the latter character, he kidnaps her and, refusing to fight a duel with his own father for her possession, is dsposed by the tribesmen and sent out in the desert to perish. He returns as the heroic vanquisher of the Red Shadow and Margot discovers that her two lovers are the same person. Carlotta King and John Boles are excellent in the leading roles, and Marie Wells, 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 possess fine singing voices. Roy Del Ruth’s direction is splendid, and the photography is magnificent.