NATIONS IN ARMS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2544, 19 August 1915, Page 7

NATIONS IN ARMS

/ 9 1 SOME FINE KINEMACOLOUR PICTURES After witnessing tho display of kinoma- -- colour pictures embodied in the title ''Tho j Forces of Europe," which were exhibited ' before a large audienco at tho Town Hall last evening. ' One can only conclude '' that there is a vast iield of exploration " before the kinematograph when tho process of taking pictures in their natural • colours is perfected. It is the Urban , management who have laid themselves out to do this paint the picturo ; as it is.' The new kinemaeolour pictures j' made a distinctly favourable inipressidn. Tho pictures set out to show the armies and navies of the nations now engaged in = the present stniggle, and though the films do not pretend to present them ,in '' latter-day fighting trim, they give some ■ gorgeous pictures of the military and , naval units of England, Prance, Belgium, . Italy, Servia, Russia—and Germany. Some ■' of the first views shown are those of Ger- ; man show troops on parade, almost thea- ' ti'ical in tho splendour of their "kit," and perfectly drilled. These troops are, gorgeously apparelled, with officers in. white ® and gold, and the saxe blue of the Ba- ; vaTians predominating. There was tho element, too, of show in tho very lin§ picturo of tho German fleet at Kiel. An- • other most interesting series of pictures L * depicted tho French Army in their field manoeuvres, the bright shades of the sol- • • (tiers' red trousers and blue coats stand--1 ing out in strong contrast to tho golden !» tones of the autumn fields. A march " past of the French troops was especially impressive, as was . also that of the for- ' midable French artillery with their wooi- , dorful 75's. Gallant little Belgium is ,■ shown in various guises, the army, foot and horse, manoeuvring in scenes which 2 have sinco become notorious in hia- = tory. One outstanding good pictur® is an exceedingly animated view 'of a L > troop of Belgian cavalry dashing out of the sea on to the beach. The colouring in this picture is superb, as it also is ;. in the quiet river views near Ypres and Namur. Italy is represented by her daring cavalry, who aro seen negotiating j precipitous country, and in swimming rivers, in) which latter case ollicers and f men hold their horses' tails with one hand and swim with the other. A close up view of an officer swimming a dapple grey horse across a river is a thing of ' great pictorial beauty. Servia contributes several interesting pictures, illustrative ' of the character of her military forces ' and' tho difficult country in which they have to operate. There are also • some noble pictures of Moscow and Pctrograd. Jolly Japanese troops figure interestingly in picturesque surroundings, and India is Shown in all the gorgeous colouring of a full Durbar, showing in detail the review of 50,000 troops at Delhi at the time of the King's visit. Here the rich colour- • ing and magnificent equipment and cos- - tumes of the Indian princes -was almost i dazzling in its brightness, yet everything ; was in accord with the truth. Tho con--1 eluding pictures gives an adequate idea 3 of England's strength on sea and land. ) One fascinating picture is that of the r fleet at. Portsmouth—a gray, grim shoal > of fighting _ machines, standing out in > the picture in contrast to tho shimmering ; whiteness of the Royal Yacht, and finally , was shown the old Victory, wihtich elicited 3 a burst of applause. The programme also j included a series of films, showing all i tho important personages at tho head of s the embroiled nations. 1 A capital orchestra under the direction : of.Mr. R. C. Hollow played appropriate j music throughout the evening. Running , comment on the pictures was made by Mr. John Gooda.ll, and Mr. Albert Poss was the projector. During tho evening Mr. Prank Charlton sang the locally composed 6ong "The Soldier." This and . every evening during the rest of the season ' Miss Beatrice Day, the talented actress, ; is to Tecite the recruiting verses "Your | Country Needs You." ' ■ Soldiers in , uniform are. admitted to \ all parts of the house half rates.