THEATRE DE LUXE

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12538, 30 August 1926, Page 9

THEATRE DE LUXE

“BEHIND THE FRONT.” The war was responsible for many things. 111 the world of literature, the humour was brought out by Bruce Bairnsfatber, the writer of the Anzao Aud now tlie screamingly funny situations and incidents find tlieir way to tho screen. in one of tlie year's funniest pictures. This bombshell of mirth, showing the sunny side of tile war, is the Paramount picture, “Behind the Front,” which is tlie chief attraction at the Theatre De Luxe. Virile, vigorous, human, and typical is “Behind the Front,” Paramount’s great comedy of the soldiers in France, now at the Do Luxe Theatre. With Wallace Beery, Raymond Hatton, and Mary Brian in the featured roles, Director Edward Sutherland, fresh from his triumph, because of having directed Raymond Griffith in “A Regular Fellow,” has made “Behind tlie Front” u classic of screen humour, and a remarkable contribution to the portraits of life during the Great War. ■■Behind the Front” is a riot of laughter, yet it is sympathetic mirth, for it is laughter with the soldiers duiing their trials and tribulations, and not at them. It appeals to another tenderness, to the romance of a sweetheart, as exemplified by beautiful Mary Brian, as well as to ex-soldiers themselves, in whom it will arouse reminiscent chuckles, as Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton, a couple of simple soldiers who are mates, appear in scenes and situations familiar to every man in the army. Chester Conklin, Richard Arlen, Louise Lorraine, and Gertrude Astor are also in the cast. The supporting programme is excellent. Tlie musical programme, arranged by Miss Bryers, includes a musical burlesque, “Wagner v. Verdi,” as the overture, and Gabriel Pierre’s “March of the Tin Soldiers” as the entr’acte, while the incidental music has been carefully chosen.