"LEST WE FORGET"

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21449, 15 April 1935, Page 6

"LEST WE FORGET"

OUTSTANDING BRITISH

PRODUCTION PREVIEW OF FILM AT CRYSTAL PALACE "Lest We Forget," which will commence a season in Christchurch on April 27, was screened at the Crystal Palace Theatre last night to an audience which included prominent business men in the city, officers o'f the Christchurch Returned Soldiers' Association, members of the military forces, and members of the City Council. It is a British production, and is certainly one of the most artistic as well as one of the finest pictures that has come from an English studio. It has for its background the Great War, but it is definitely not a war picture as the term is generally understood. The actual horrors of war are only hinted —one hears the rattling of machineguns and the scream of shrapnel—but the scene changes swifity to presentday life in England, and develops peacefully. The title suggests propaganda, pacifist or otherwise, as you prefer; but the picture has nothing that glorifies war for war's sake, nor does it condemn war. Its main aim is to show the happiness that comes from comradeship and self-effacement in the service of others who arc less fortunately placed. It is definitely an appeal to the liner emotions. That is an indication of the task that confronts the actors; and it is a great tribute to their ability that they drive that appeal home. They are not aided by tricks of the screen. Music helps them, certainly, in providing the atmosphere in which they can make the most of their appeal; "but apart from that it is | just "straight" acting on which they depend. There is little story to the picture. It opens with four soldiers isolated in a shell hole, under fire. They make a compact to meet 16 years hence at the home of one, a captain. The captain is an Englishman, another is a Scot, another an Irishman, and the other a Welshman. They keep thenpact, all except the Irishman, who has died of wounds, but is represented by his son. They dine, and after spending the evening together, separate again. The action of the story is negligible, but four very line artists give it warmth and beaut}'. There is pathos and there is humour, the latter provided mostly by the Scot and the Welshman, and the sincerity of all the actors make the picture stimulating and refreshing. Throughout, there is a remarkable truth of detail. The picture is natural in every phase. That is one of the reasons why it is so appealing and so refreshing. I

The part of the English captain is taken by Stewart Rome. He is well known, and lie acts with the dignity and truth that, one has learnt to expect from him. But an equally fine performance in its way is that of George Carney, as the Scot. Carney is famous *in England, but he is new to picturenoers in Christchurch. Roddy Hughes takes the part of the Welshman, and gives the character unusual charm. As the captain's daughter, Anne Yates has to act with simplicity and grace: that she does to full satisfaction. The Irishman's son is played by Esmond Knight, who is responsible for some very pleasant singing.

The director is John Baxter, who will bo remembered for his excellent work in "The Sor.fr of the Plough," and "Reunion," the latter having been shown in Christchurch about 1!> months