“THREE COMRADES”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23672, 2 December 1938, Page 5

“THREE COMRADES”

GRIPPING POST-WAR DRAMA They shot Robert Young, but it took 16 shots to do it. Witnesses to the “ assassination ” included Robert Taylor. Margaret Sullavan, Franchot Tone, the postmaster-general of Japan, the head of Canada’s largest film firm, an Episcopalian bishop and 200 other bystanders. The dramatic scene was filmed in the village erected for “ Three Comrades,” film adaptation of the noted Erich Maria Remarque novel, which will be commenced to-day 1 at the Empire Theatre. The distinguished eyewitnesses, besides Taylor, Miss Sullavan and Tone, were visitors on the set at the time. In the story of early post-war days in Europe, Taylor. Tone- and Young are three young war veterans who cling to-, gether in their struggle to rehabilitate themselves in a troubled world. Taylor is the romantic comrade who falls in love with Miss Sullavan. Tone is the hardened realist whose only passion is for his racing automobile, and Young is the young idealist opposing radical elements seeking to undermine his country. Prior to his assassination Young, Henry Hull, a patriotic editor, and their small group of followers have barricaded themselves in an old warehouse against the attack of a mob. Taylor and Tone are returning from the railway station where they put Miss Sullavan, ailing in health, on a train bound for a sanitarium. As they reach the village square, the warehouse door opens and Young emerges, leading 20 defenders into the face of the attackers. “ Three Comrades ” is strongly reminiscent in its setting of the well-remembered “Farewell To Arms,” in that it has the same sphere of action with a war-tom generation trying to find happiness and lomance out of broken ideals. Brilliant acting by. the four leading members of, the cast is a dominant feature of the film. Robert Taylor falls in love with Margaret Sullavan, and the plot from that point develops in simple but telling episodes to its sad but gripping climax.