‘UNDER TWO FLAGS'

Evening Star, Issue 22578, 20 February 1937, Page 21

‘UNDER TWO FLAGS'

SPECTACLE AMD DRAMA AT STATE THEATRE Offering a combination of colourful spectacle and absorbing drama in a story of the French Foreign Legion, ‘Under Two Flags’ offers unrivalled entertainment. It lias boon brought to tho screen with a sweeping spaciousness, a warm realism, and a generous aggregation of loading players and wellknown actors that make it easy to believe in tho quarter of a million pounds that it is said to have cost. It is a notable picture, and thoroughly entertained a largo attendance at the State Theatre last night. Finely acted and produced with telling realism, ‘ Under Two Flags ’ is one of tho few films which anyone with a lovo of action, true dramatic art, and excitement appreciates from beginning to end. Directed by Frank Lloyd, the magnitude of the whole production and the infinite pains obviously taken to secure the correct atmosphere are most impressive. It is an epic picture. Tho simple tale of love and jealousy in an exotic' desert setting still weaves its spell. Many stories have been woven around the Foreign Legion since Ouida first captured tho imagination of an older

generation, but the sad tale of Cigarette and her great love and even greater sacrifice will live for years to come. In spite of a charming performance from Claudette Colbert and a shorter, but equally accomplished, interpretation from '.Rosalind Russell, Ronald Colman dominates the story. As a sergeant in the Foreign Legion, whoso past is mysterious but entirely honourable, he has a part to which ho is admirably suited. His cultured, but slightly melancholy, air gives just the right touch to the character, and one lives with him in his triumphs and hardships with one of the greatest fighting forces the world has ever known. As major of the battalion, a blustering, forceful fellow, but a fine soldier, Victor M‘Laglen also has a part which allows him full scope. His affection for Cigarette and his jealousy for the regard, and later the love, she shows for Colman, is the driving theme. The scones of the fighting in the desert are without precedent. The photography rates with the best yet seen on the talking screen. Herbert Mundin, in his quiet, comic way, creates a pleasing diversion from the main trend of action, while the supporting cast js largo and includes much talent. The supporting programme is also n good one, including newsreels giving glimpses of important events aoroacl, and a bright comedy.