"TOMMY ATKINS"

Evening Star, Issue 20128, 19 March 1929, Page 7

"TOMMY ATKINS"

ANOTHER OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM That Britain is a force to be reckoned with in the motion picture industry has been strikingly ..exemplified in tlie last few months, for several exceptionally fine British products have been screened at local theatres. The rapid development that has been apparent of late could not bo better illustrated than in ‘ Tommy Atkins,’ a British International picture which will bo screened at the Empire Theatre on Friday next. A small force of British soldiers in the Sudan were cut to pieces by natives, the only survivors being tlie six-year-old son of the. G. 0., and his servant, Mason, who takes the boy back to England. Tho boy’s grandfather, the Earl of Retherton, dies, and the title is assumed by a younger son, in tlie belief that his brother and nepnew have died. AA’hen he learns tho truth from Mason he decides to suppress the fact, and Harold, tho next heir, is brought np with Iris cousin Victor and ins uncle’s ward Ruth. Victor becomes an officer in the army; Harold enters the chiii'di. Both fall in love with Ruth and she becomes engaged to Victor. Harold resigns his living and enlists in the army, and just after ho has left Victor hears of his father’s deception and that ho is not tho next bento the title. Vi cor goes abroad with his regiment and tin*, two cousins meet again. In a frontier war Victor is fatally wounded, hut just before lie dies is able tn tell the truth to Harold, who eventually returns to England to icsnnio his title and find consolation in the love of Ruth. The picture has been produced on a labish scale, and a sound,, mclodramatij story Inis been presented with artistry and skill. It was made with the cooperation of the British. Army Council, and was directed by Captain Norman Walker. Thus it will be,aeon that the military sequences are authoritative in every respect. The Army Council loaned the services of the 2nd Battalion of the Somerset Regiment, the Ist Battalion olfthe Suffolk Regiment, the 19th Royal Huzzars, and tho Ist Battalion of the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders for the lighting scenes. Waller Butler, an acornplished young English actor, gives an excellent portrayal of the role of Tommy Atkins. Lilian TJallDavis plays (he part of the heroine with considerable artistry and charm, Henry Victor and Shayle Gaidnor <ihe well-known New Zealand actor) also have prominent roles.