‘MADEMOISELLE FROM ARMENTIERES’

Evening Star, Issue 19613, 20 July 1927, Page 5

‘MADEMOISELLE FROM ARMENTIERES’

According to the lamuiis soldiers’ marehiifg song that has ronciwd almost every corner of the world, Mademoiselle from Armeutieres was a lady of uncertain age and doubtful virtue, 'there was a persistent rumor that “Mademoiselle” was a living person who acted as a spy, but, like many other war rumors, its origin is wrapped in mystery. The him of the same name as the song is described as a soldier s storv of the war, and is told with convincing realism,- rather than an effort to convey the whole panorama of worldwide upheaval. The story opens some years after the war. A little hoy is sitting on his lather’s knee watching the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. Suddenly the stately slow march changes to the lively tunc of ‘ Mademoiselle,’ and the boy asks Ins father why his mother always laughs when ho whistles that tunc. So the father tells the following story:—He wsa one of a- draft who had been wclcomcd on the outskirts of Armontieres by a couple of Boche bombs, _ The order to spread out had been given, and he and his friend Fred rushed into a nearby cstaminct kept by a French woman and her niece. Later, when the troops have been billeted, the two friends go to see the attractive Mademoiselle The girl likes the soldiers, as they relieve her of the attentions of her neighbor, Monsieur Branz. The latter is a subject of interest to the divisional headquarters, and it is arranged that in order to fiml out more of her neighbor’s business she is to encourage him. John later finds out that the girl is in (ho habit of visiting Branz in his bouse alone. Mademoiselle reports that Branz desires her to use her personal charms to obtain military inlonnation from British officers. Mademoiselle was complimented on her good work, hut was not happy, as John was unaware of her role, and had not seen her lor some time. John’s company is ordered to advance, so the girl tries to explain before be goes off, but be will not see her. Unable to rest until she has explained everything, she finds ber way to the lines. Tbe men are ordered to advance. .John’s section crosses the enemy linos, ami raptures a tannhonse, but it is without supports with which to hold it. Some hours later Joint is captured, and Branz, in the uniform of a Herman intelligence officer, is praised for his services in saving the German line. An interruption occurs, and Mademoiselle is brought in. Branz explains that she had a share in his triumph, but she protests that she is not a spy. She is about to bo shot when word conics that the French arc attacking, ami they were ordered to retire. Before anything can be done, however, the dngont is wrecked by a shell, and when the smoke clears away they find themselves alone with the body of Branz. They are finally rescued by a party of poilus. The scene then switches back to the little boy sitting on bis father’s knee, and lie then knows that his mother was “ Mademoiselle from Armentieres.” There is a strong cast in the picture, many of whom having served in the trenches themselves, thus ensuring the technical accuracy of the scenes. 1 Mademoiselle from Armonticres ’ opens at the Empire Theatre on Friday next.