GRIPPING REMARQUE ADAPTATION

Evening Star, Issue 23128, 30 November 1938, Page 15

GRIPPING REMARQUE ADAPTATION

‘THREE COMRADES' FOR EMPIRE

At a time when the peace of the world is in the balance it is appropriate that a film showing the conditions which follow war should be screened. ‘ Three Comrades,’ which will be presented at the Empire on Friday, gives a strong condemnation of war and all the troubles which accompany it. Post-war Germany is the setting for the film, with three young returned soldiers as the principal characters.

Robert Taylor, Franchot Tone, and Robert Young portray the three young men, Erich, Lenz, and Koster, w’ho have been comrades during _ the struggle and return to find an entirely different Germany from that which they had known before. “Work is scarce, and the fact that they have served their country for several years proves no advantage. In desperation the three open up a small garage and taxi business, and fill in their spare time by building a racing car. It is when they are engaged in an impromptu race that the three comrades meet Patricia, with whom Erich immediately falls in love. At first Patricia does not wish to marrv Erich, as she realises that she is a victim of the war conditions and is suffering from consumption, but Lenz and Koster at last succeed in persuading her. In the meanwhile political troubles are causing some concern to the partners, for business has fallen off and a new taxi cab which they have recently bought is destroyed by rioters. In the middle of their difficulties Patricia dies, realising that as an invalid she is a burden for Erich. Lenz falls a victim to a sniper in a street riot, and his two companions search the streets to find the murderer of their comrade. In a dramatic scene Koster and the killer are brought face to face, and Lenz’s murder is avenged. The film was adapted from the novel of the same name by Erich Maria Remarque, and comes from the studios of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.