THE PICTURE HOUSES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 30 November 1927, Page 9

THE PICTURE HOUSES

MUNICIPAL, "Mons,” the British production depicting the immortal retreat of the “Old Contemptibles,” will be screened at the Municipal Theatre to-night. Made by permission and with t he assistance of His Majesty’s Army Council, “Mons” has won the approval of the War Office in England, and in New Zealand the Prime Minister (Hon. J. G. Coates) has extended his patronage to the picture. The “Sunday News” (London) proclaims “Mons” to be “a magnificent epic of the great retreat, wonderfully photographed, that will do what war films should—-combat the war spirit,” while the “Sunday Herald” states that “Mons” is the finest effort yet achieved in the attempt to re-tell history through the medium of the screen.” Few films have been more eagerly looked for than the coming ot this celebrated British picture. Bombardier Jenkins, the soldier who has had the distinction of firing the first shell in the Great War. will personally appear and Speak of “Mons.” Many months of preparation were devoted to the production of “Mons” before ever a foot of film was turned, and Captain Walter Summers, the director, was fortunate in securing not only the assistance of the War Office, but also the cooperation of several officers and men who lived through the famous retreat. Every man in the picture is at present serving or has served in the Army. The majority of the scenes were filmed on the actual sites where they occurred, and although this picture deals with one of the most tragic yet heroic deeds of the war, it has its lighter side, Facts which have been sought concerning this famous retreat go to prove that the indomitable British spirit was frequently the cause for merriment in the very face of death, and that in many cases it was only the Englishman’s inherited sense of humour which carried him on. COSY DE LUXE. A sea captain, a philandering Irishman, a card sharper, and now a "man about town”—all these are versatile Owen Moore’s most recent roles. Moore is one of the best known male players on the screen to-day. He recently interpreted the role of "The Admiral” in “The Road to Mandalay,” Lon Chaney’s starring vehicle. After that came the leading male roles in “The Bed Mill,” with Marion Davies, and in “The Taxi Dancer.” opposite Joan Crawford. Now, Owen Moore is coming to the Cosy Theatre to-night in the role of “Dan Scarlett,” a genial man about town in Sally O’Neil’s new picture, "Becky.” This Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production affords an intimate glimpse into the lives of people living in a big city, and tells of the adventures of a fun-loving shop girl who becomes a successful revue actress. Captivating Sally O’Neil, who was recently seen in "The Callahans and the Murphys,” has the title role, and Gertrude Olmsted, Harry Cocker, and Mack Swain have prominent parts. John P. McCarthy directed.