KING’S THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 105, 27 January 1940, Page 16

KING’S THEATRE

Nurse Caveil's tragic death at the hands of the German military authorities during tlie last war is a story that every schoolboy knows. That, she was a woman and a nurse and that her offence against the military code was on behalf of sick and wounded men lias made the story the more poignant and more stirringly memorable than any other; and for that, very reason bringing it to the screen must have been an exceedingly difficult task. R.K.O. Radio Pictures, with Amia Neagle's splendid assistance, have carried off this diiiieult task with full credit, to all concerned, as anyone can see this week at. the King's Theatre, Idealized and romanticized a little the .story is told with restraint and yet great depth of feeling. To assist Miss Neagh-, there is an excellent east which includes such fine actors as George Sanders, Edna Alay -Oliver mid May Robson —not. to mention Zasu Pitts in a semi-serious role which goes a long way to lift her out of the rut of comic-nil-wit parts.

Nurse Unveil is seen in Brussels in 1014, where she has chosen to stay because there she feels she can be of most assistance. But. from being in Allied territory, Brussels conies under German domination, martial law is declared, mid the nurse and her loyal staff find themselves in enemy country. There is still plenty of work to -be done —-more in fact than ever before—all within the harsh military discipline, but lawful; lawful, that is, till the son of one of Nurse Cavell's friends, escaped from a German prison camp, is on the verge of discovery by the military authorities. Taking pity on the sick and wounded young man, Nurse Gavel! hides him in her hospital. nurses him to health, and then spirits him across the border into Holland.

Out 111 the country is another woman who has been shocked by military brutality to escaped prisoners—the Countess de Mavon (Edna May Oliver). Old. but plucky mid determined, she, too. acts, on behalf of escaped prisoners, and before iong she. Nurse Cavell and several other women Have banded together to provide mi escape system for the unfortunate prisoners of war and wounded men. Alarmed at the numbers escaping, the German authorities decide to take drastic action. Before long Nurse Cavell is arrested, mid almost overnight her plight captures the imagination of the world. But despite appeals from every part of the world, the ruthless war machine grinds on to its horrible goal, and Edith Cavell is sacrificed.

This is a deeply-moving picture to which Anna Neagle’s tine acting lias lent a genuine touch of unconquerable heroism.