EMPIRE

Evening Star, Issue 19614, 21 July 1927, Page 3

EMPIRE

Louise Brooks .ind Lawrence Gray are the stars of ‘ Love ’em and Leave ’em,’ which will bo screened finally at the Empire Theatre to-night. The story centres about a flirt whoso heartless motto was Lovo them and leave them.” Though broad comedy, this picture shows flashes of real drama and more than a touch of very natural, human pathos in places, and it also shows, what is move to the point, a wide and deep understanding-of human nature, especially of the girl who loves and leaves ’em. The picture practically embraces every field of accepted screen entertainment, with the exception of straight drama, and a masquerade ball, skilfully introduced into the story, is an excellent example of night life in a big American city; while a finished exhibition! of the Black Shuffle will both intrigue and amuse. Evelyn Brent is tho third star player, and is a good foil to tho brilliant tactics of Miss Brooks. ‘ MADEMOISELLE' FROM ARMEXTIEIIES.’ Tho story of ‘ Mademoiselle from Armenticres,’ which will be screened initially at the Empire Theatre to-morrow, was inspired by the famous manyversed marching song that was composed to the regular tramp, tramp of military boots along the poplar-lined roads of the western front during the war, and has since penetrated to almost every corner of the world. According to the song, mademoiselle was a woman of uncertain age and doubtful virtue, while cue persistent rumor stated that she was a living person who acted as a spy, but no;genuine facts about her could be discovered. The picture is a soldier’s story of the war, and’it is told with convincing realism. Tho action opens in the vicinity of Buckingham Palace some years after tho war. A small boy and his father aro watching tho historic and picturesque changing of the guard outside tho Royal residence. Suddenly the stately slow march of the hand changes, and the lively ‘ Mademoiselle ’ is struck up. Upon recognising the tunc the boy asks his father whv liis mother always laughs when she hears that tune, so in order to explain this the father tolls a story of tho war. The scene then shifts to the western front. The lather, John, was one of a draft who had been welcomed on the outskirts of Armentiercs by a couple of Bocho bombs. The order to spread out had been given, and he and his friend Fred rushed into a nearby estaminet kept by a French woman and her niece. Later, when tho troops have been billeted, the two friends go to see the attractive mademoiselle, and John falls in lovo with her. The girl likes tho soldiers, as they relieve her of the attentions of her aieighbor, Monsieur Brums. Tho latter is a subject of interest to tho divisional headquarters, and it is arranged that in order to find out more of her neighbor’s business she is to encourage him. John later finds out that the girl is in the habit of visiting Branz in his house alone. Mademoiselle reports that Branz desires her to use her personal charms to obtain military information from British ofliceis. Mademoiselle was complimented on her good work, but was not happy, as John had mistaken her apparent friendship for Branz. John’s company is ordered to advance, so tho girl tries to explain before ho goes off, but he will not sec her. Unable to rest until she has explained everything, she finds her way to the Hues. The men arc ordered to advance. John’s section crosses the enemy lines and captures a farmhouse, but cannot hold it without supports, aiid some hours later he is captured, and Branz. in the uniform of a German intelligence officer, is praised for his services in saving the German line. An interruption occurs, and mademoiselle is brought in. Branz explains that slio had a share in his triumph, but she protests that she is not a spy. Slio is about to be shot when word comes that tho French arc attacking, and they were ordered to retire. Before anything can-be done, however, the dngout is wrecked by a shell, and when the smoke clears away they find themselves alone with tho body of Branz. They are finally rescued by a party of jioilus. The scene then .switches hack to the little boy sitting on his father’s knee, and he then knows that his mother was ‘"’Mademoiselle from Armentieres.”