THE FILM AIDS RECRUITING

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21909, 9 October 1936, Page 5

THE FILM AIDS RECRUITING

VALUABLE PUBLICITY FOR SERVICES

The remarkable change in the attitude of the War Office, the Admiralty, and the Air Ministry towards commercial film companies desiring the cooperation of the services is illustrated again bv the announcement of a new film, to'be called “The Navy Eternal, says the “Morning Post.” Mr Herbert Wilcox is to take a complete “production unit” to Scapa Flow to film the autumn manoeuvres of the Atlantic Fleet. This material will be used as a background to a story ox the British Navy. The story has been written by Baitimeus,” a naval officer famous as the author of “A Tall Ship,” “Naval Occasions,** and other books. It describes the rescue of British subjects from a South American State in the throes of revolution —events which, though written six weeks ago, bear a striking resemblance to recent occurrences in Spain , , _ , . The film will be directed by Captain Norman Walker, who also directed “The Middle Watch.” Negotiations are proceeding for the services of Sir Guy Standing for the part of a British Consul. Admiralty to Help The Admiralty arc granting the fullest possible co-operation and are lending liaison officers. The Navy League is also giving its assistance. Not long ago all requests for co-operation were refused by the authorities. Mr Wilcox recalls when, following an attempt to take certain scenes in Hyde Park, about 10 years ago, the Commissioner of Works announced that it was undesirable to grant public facilities for shooting films. The naval, military, and air authorities now realise, however, that recruiting is helped by the publicity which such films give. This has long been recognised in America, where a stream of army, navy, and air force pictures has been made, and has carried to remote corners of the world a healthy respect for America’s fighting services. The War Office is now co-operating in the making of “0.H.M.5.,” an army picture, showing how a wild young American is “licked into shape” by the British Army. Scenes were filmed during the manoeuvres on Salisbury Plain. A film called “The Gap,” is also being made of London’s anti-air-craft defences with the co-operation of territorial units. “R.A.F.,” made in conjunction with the Royal Air Force, was being shown to the public early this year.

Negotiations for official co-operation in making at least two more such films are now proceeding.

INTERESTING MUSIC IN “REMBRANDT”

OLD FOLK SONGS OF THE PERIOD

Music, always an important feature of London Films’ Productions, is again of interest in “Rembrandt,” the Charles Laughton film now being made at Denham. Several of the principals have to sing or h*:m songs of the period while going about their wont. Research work was carried out by London Films’ musical director, Muir Mathieson, one of the most brilliant young musical figures in England, assisted by Miss Silver, who comes from the Fox and Columbia Studios in Hollywood. Mathieson recently conducted “Hiawatha” at the Albert Hall, London, during the absence of Dr. Malcolm Sargeant. Gertrude Lawrence, who plays the part of housekeepr to Rembrandt, sings an old Dutch song called “The Naughty Girls of Kieldrecht,” whilst preparing the banquet in honour of the public showing of Rembrandt’s famous picture, “The Night Watch.” She has composed her own translation of this song. Elsa Lanchester also sings a simple song called “Green Fields.” An old Dutch song has been found, too, for Roger Livesey who sings while begging in the harbour at • Amsterdam. In the scenes showing huge crowds awaiting the Prince of Orange at the town gates, some impressive music will be heard, probably the Dutch National Anthem “William of Nassau,” written in 1658. In a tavern at Ley-