BOOKS OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 152, 16 March 1918, Page 11

BOOKS OF THE DAY

An M.p. at the Front. Whim tlio war broke out, Mr., now Brigadier-General, Henry Paye Croft, C.M.G., a well-kuown member of the House of Commons, joined :the Ist Battalion of tbe Hertfordshire Regiment (Territorials), and saw service with them from November 12, 1914, to February, 1916, when ho was given command of a brigade. In "TwentyTwo Months Under Fire" (John Murray, per Whitcombe and Tombs) General Croft tells the story of his experiences at Ypres, Givenehy, Neuvo OHapelle; Festubert, Loos, and at many other places previous to his participation in the first struggles on 1&e Somnie. His is a plain, unvarnished narrative of battle scenes of every possible variety. There is a simple directness about these sketches which at once appeals to the reader. Disappointments, even failures, aro admitted, but throughout the whole narrative runs a spirit of intense enthusiasm for tho Unfailing, patience and heroism of the British soldier, special tributes being paid to the splendid services of the Indians and Australians. The descriptions of the various battles are comparatively brief, tho author wisely refraining from any elaborate summary of the strategical position. On the other hand, ho brings into vivid prominence instances of individual gallantry and the fine spirit generally exhibited by the men,.often in face of the mo9t desperately trying circumstances and under the most depressing conditions. General Croft is justly enthusiastic over tho fine work dbno by the Territorials, ''business men, tradesmen, working men," each when tho call camo "concerned in the profession or job which each had made his life's affair."

"Some day," lie writes, "when England has time to think she will thank her Territorials, who had to make far tho biggest sacrifice, and sho will rcaliso that without tins' Vaco-time patriot' the Regular Army could not !;>ivo left our shores, and 6he will remember that whilst the new armies were learning' to form fours without rifles or uiiiforms, which little details our thoughtful Government had forgotten to provide, the Territorial units, which lnul made good, were alroady proceeding to Belgium to fill tho shattered gaps of the immortal British Army.-"

When, in February,. 1916, the author finds himself taking over command of the Infantry Brigade, near Armentieres, he at once becc-mos as enthusiastic over the New Army as ho had been over his beloved "Terriers." He gives his readers some dramatic sketches of the fighting at Souchez and under the Vimy Ridge and in the Somme sector, and pays a high compliment to the Australians, who constantly indulged in "hunting er.pediti6ns," often bringing in prisoners "extracted from positions far'past tho British objective." General Croft's book is a most interesting and valuable addition to the history of the great struggle on tho Western front. (N.Z. price, 6s. 6d.).

Kinema Plays. i Tlio writing of plays for production by the kincihatograph'is now engaging tho attention of a' host of people who hope to profit by the fascination which the "movies" possess for so largo a section of iho public, in a little volume entitled "Ciriema Plays: How to Write thorn; How to Sell them" ',London: Stanley, Paul and Co.), Mr. Eustfico Hale Ball, who has had a lengthy experience as scenario editor, stall playwright, and director for the Reliance, Eclair. Solax, Majestic, Excelsior, and other film companies, takes his reader "behind the scenes," if I may use the term in such a connection, and explains the whole process of. kinema play craftsmanship. Ho points out the limitations as well as the unusual advantages of kinema presentation of a dramatic or humorous theme, explains the technical preparation of kinema plays, and the practical methods of kinem* authorship; gives many useful hints <i 3 to the best means of disposing of a kinema play when oneo written, and provides for the, benefit of the would-be kinema playwright a sample scenario for a comedy and a similar guide to the prod iction of a kinema drama. The author warns the aspirant to film fame that 'no longer arc 'ideas' and crude plots purchased for modicums when libera • are thoroughly professional scripts obtainable. Directors," 'ie says, "are busy men, and their time is expensive to the companies It is much better business to pay good prices for scenarios which can be immediately staged thnn to impose upon the overw?lk i d t ' f ' itor or tno director the. added duty of whipping the play into practical shape." Still the professional is not ready made, and when we read that "at a conservative estimate some sixty millions sterling is pxrw>nded in stnaing and advertising, selling, and exhibiting these plavs in a twelvemonth.'' the field before tho amateur "sr-ript" author is seen to b e a very wide one. The wo'uld-he "kinema mithor" should find Mr. Ball's little Jwnk botb useful and interesting. • (N T '/, price, -Is. fid.)