Round the Shows

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 188, 29 October 1927, Page 14

Round the Shows

STRAND “MONS” Tin-re was no more stirrin 6 in the ; nn;ils of the Great War, nor, in fac in British history, than the famous retreat of England's “Contemptible L*il A from Mons, at the very conflict. Looking back, one wonders how it was that the First and Second British Army Corps managed to escape destruction at the hands of the well-equipped German Mons, on August 23, 1914. A splenMons, on August -3, 1924. A splendid description of the historic retreat is given in the stirring film, “Mons,” which is now being; screened at the Strand Theatre. Under the direction Britain has turned out the greatout the greatest war picture ever produced in any country. The puny English force is shown indomitably striving against overwhelming odds, using their rifles with a precision and rapidity which led the German generals to believe that the British had machine-guns, and showing their splendid discipline in the galling but well-conducted retreat. The British troops fought with such ■ • ten Llour tha I it is not surprising that the legend arose that angels from heaven came down and assisted them This story of how 70,000 men < t British Regular Army fought 11 trough out a hot August day, and then rose and marched, not knowing why, and then fc£ugilt and marched again, till they were well nigh dead, with fatigue, is an epic which will shine in history for all time. One of the things that makes “Mons*’ a remarkable picture is that even in the battle scenes British humour breaks through. The film abounds with soldier wit, comedy and humanity that go straight to the heart of the beholder. The British soldiers laugh in the very face of death, and if was their inherited sense of humour that carried them through the mouth of lull. A splendid atmosphere for the picture is created by Bombardier A. G. Jenkins, R.H.A., the man who fired the first shell in the Great War, wh", in thrilling terms, recounts the story of the immortal retreat. The feature picture is supported by the Strand Magazine of the latest topical and world events, and a screamingly funny comedy, “Her Husky Hero.” Music plays an important part in the programme, a special orchestral score being rendered by the Strand Symphony Orchestra. A stirring overture, “Patriotic Harmonies.'’ is featured, and is greeted nightly with rounds of applause.