MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 60, 2 June 1927, Page 15

MAJESTIC

“WHAT PRICE GLORY”

To-night is the grand gala opening of “What Price Glory,” at the Majestic, when Mr. Jack Lumsdaine will act

as host and master of ceremonies. A dramatic qritic who saw this film at the Garrick Theatre, Chicago's leading cinema, writes: “What price, laughs, thrills, heart throbs galore’ Merely a visit to the ‘Garrick.’ At that house may be found a group of

the most human and comical soldiers who ever donned a uniform for purposes of the camera. They captured the theatre at Christmas after days of preparation, and at the same time completely captivated a first night audience. The walls literally rocked—one moment with the laughter and applause of the seat-holders, the next with the booming of guns, made so realistic by the orchestra as to be almost terrifying.

“The stage play reeked with cynicism and profanity. Its characters, in fact, talked as real he-men would talk under like circumstances. The picture shocks also, but in a different way. Cynicism and profanity are there, but are presented through vision rather than audition. You see men swearing and blaspheming—see thepi so plainly that you recognise nearly every word they are saying, but there *is no'primed epithet to offend. More emphasis is laid, too, on comedy. Then there are moments of great tenderness —so touching that they make your throat hurt—as strong men bolster up the courage of their more timid comrades. “There’s something rotten about a : world that has to be wet down every 30 years with blood of boys like these,” comments the hard-boiled Captain Flagg, as a detachment of rookies — “chocolate soldiers,” as he calls them —are sent* to him. After which he proceeds to go out and have a good time. That, too, is one of the most notable things about the picture—it shows that while fighting in France was rotten and all that, hardly anyone but managed to enjoy himself doing it. “What Price Glory” -is a photoplay that is different in every respect. It is surprising because it chami ions two hard-boiled rough-necks and a “woman of the war.” Most of all, however, it is surprising because it presents the humorous side of the soldiers’ adven tures. It is a maker of celebrities. To begin with, there is its director, RaoLil Walsh who covers himself with glory. His big scenes are different from any that have gone before. Victor McLaglen essays the role of Flagg, and is absolutely marvellous. He can be ugly viciously brutal, and absolutely frightening at times, and at others tender as a woman. The man was an ideal choice for the part. Next to McLaglen comes Edmund Lowe, who is nothing short of astonishing as the insolent, rascally Quirt.” From to-morrow, “What Price Glory” will be shown at both the Majestic and Strand.