“BENGAL LANCER.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20649, 25 June 1935, Page 14

“BENGAL LANCER.”

Remarkable Production at Tivoli. : The remarkable film “ The Lives of a Bengal Lancer ” is still delighting [ big audiences at the Tivoli Theatre. It - is a production of which any company i might be proud, for it has for’its motif the love of a father for his son, a love which he, as a soldier, must hide. The father is called on to make the supreme decision—to save his son and leave a path open for a fanatical horde to sweep down on an unprotected countryside or to keep his men at their posts and leave his son to die. No cheap ! melodrama mars the working-out of this plot: masterful restraint adds dig- ! iity and emphasis to the story. “ The i biggest fool in the arm)’,” and, a., i subsequently pioved, its era vest man, is oary Cooper, who has the pate c L Captain McGregor. He draw-s a wonvienul picture -of the care-free soldie* wno Keeps his thoughts to himself Du., serves his country and his regiment in the best way. It is a role that could easily be spoilt, but witfi the great artistry of Cooper, it is a flawless cha*' acterisation. In perfect contrast is the role of Colonel Stone, played by Sir Guy Standing. Here is the professional soldier of the old type, a man who puts his duty before the natural love he bears for his only son. There is an excellent supporting programme.