"YOUTH MARCHES ON”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 188, 11 August 1939, Page 6

"YOUTH MARCHES ON”

OXFORD GROUP MOVEMENT MOR AI. REARMAMENT FILM Members of the Oxford Group movement in Wanganui, the churches, youth organisations, and institutions interested in the development of mental and physical fitness, attended a preview at tlie Regent Theatre yesterday afternoon of the two-reel short, “Youth Marches On.” The guests were welcomed by Mr. lan Macphail, a leader of the Oxford Group, who recently returned from England. Mr. Macphail said that the idea of the picture had been horn at the young pioneers' camp at Regina, Canada, three years ago, when young men were preparing themselves for moral rearmament. The young men started with a capital ot £35, hut found a chemist who had had experience as a photographer in Hollywood. Later, when 24 boys were commissioned by the Premier of Saskatchewan to go to England, this chemist went with them and shot scenes in London and at a camp near Oxford Mr. Macphail said that the strength of the film lay in its simplicity. It had been shown in 500 cinemas in Great Britain and its dialogue translated into foui languages. For its premiere in Canada, the film was (shown at the House of Representatives at. the invitation of the Prime iMinister and the leaders of all parties. "Youth Marches On” has an amateur cast, the chief character being a cowboy (Cecil Broadhurst), who sings the lilting theme song, “Wise I Old Horsey." Other characters are a student and a lorry driver. The film is based on the actual experiences of young men who attended the Regina camp to train physically and spiritually for the moral rearmament of their country. It shows incidents in the camp which had a changing effect on the lives and outlook of many of the young men who came from all walks of life. Living, training and learning in the fresh, clean air and in close contact with Nature, 'their bodies were strengthened and their minds sharpened to face up to the troubles of the world and approach them in a wider and more Christian spirit.