“FAREWELL AGAIN”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23393, 7 January 1938, Page 5

“FAREWELL AGAIN”

ALSO WALT DISNEY REVIEW An unusually interesting programme has been arranged for the Regent Theatre this ween. The first feature is “ Farewell Again,” a British fhm, providing unusual and wholly delighllui entertainment. Its stars are Leslie Banks and Flora Robson. It is likely, however that just as much interest will be taken in the first half of the programme as in the main picture, for it includes the “Wait Disney Prize Revue,” comprising five of Walt Disney’s most successful colour cartoons. “ Farewell Again ” is considered to be one of the finest films to come from a British studio. It is a perfect blending of comedy, romance, and drama, and there is something for every taste. The story, an interesting and moving sidelight on army life, is based upon an incident which actually happened and was widely reported in the newspapers. The audience is shown a regiment of soldiers, with the wives of some of them, returning aboard the troopship after years of service overseas. To every man and woman on the ship the homecoming is the fulfilment of a constant dream during their years of exile. There is joy and sadness. To the colonel’s wife, who is suffering from serious heart trouble, England means a verdict of life or death. Corporal Edrich already hears the sound of wedding bells. To Captain Reed, in love with pretty Nurse Harrison, it means an unpleasant interview with his fiancee, Lady Joan, and to Ann Harrison it means losing Captain Reed. Then there is Carter, tortured by doubt and wild jealousy; tough Sergeant Brough, for whom the ship is stopped while his wife has yet another baby; mysterious Private Smith, who reads Greek in his spare time; Private Bulger, the married “ bachelor ” whose wife is waiting at Southampton. But when the ship is nearing home a wireless message is received telling of trouble in another part of the Empire. The men will be allowed only six hours’ leave before sailing away again for an indefinite period—only a brief six hours in which to meet families and friends and to solve their private problems. Walt Disney needs no introduction to film audiences, and his prize revue, comprising his five prize-winning cartoons from 1932 to 1936, provides an unusual opportunity of seeing the best of his work, renewing acquaintance with old favourites, and filling in gaps that have been missed, ft begins with “ Flowers and Trees,” the 1932 cartoon, from which the popularity of his “silly symphonies ” really dates. • Then there is the brilliant “Three Little Pigs.” which taught the world to sing “ Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf.” After that come “The Tortoise and the Hare,” “Three Orphan Kittens,” and “ The Country Cousin,” which is considered by many to be his best production.