MOVIES AT THE FRONT.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 22 March 1917, Page 3

MOVIES AT THE FRONT.

THE British Army Department has encouraged the building of photo-play theatres at the various training camps throughout the country, and when the soldier is sent to the front the Motion Picture continues to dog his footsteps, for which he is mighty glad. Naturally the photoplay does not pierce the, trenches, but it is not very far behind the firing-line. The soldiers attend the movies under abnormal conditions. At one show, four miles behind the firing-Hne, it was necessary to, discontinue the programme because of the . smoke that filled the place. On another occasion it was rudely interrupted by a shell, which left; a 13ft h,ole in the wall, and put the projector o,uv of cqmmission. ; Nothing is said pi the fa^e of the unlucky operator. While these are exceptional instances, the sqldier is quite hardened to watching the soreen while guns boom in the distance, As is perhaps natural, comedy is the thing, for the soldier wants his thoughts to be taken from the serious worm ahead of him. Charlie Chaplain is such a favourite that the young English subalterns used to cultivate his characteristic upper-lip stub of hair. There is a story told of a sentry who demauded the usual challenge from a' person about to pass. " Chaplain," replied' the Minister. '• P.ass, Char.lie," responded the sqldier, humorously. A soldier struck dumb during a gas attack at Ypres vyas invalided hqmo. He saw, a " H_am •' comedy, and laughed so much that he found he had regained the power of speech.