MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 288, 25 February 1928, Page 15

MAJESTIC

“THE FIRE BRIGADE” The dove of peace has her heroes every whit as much as Mars, that unsightly old man, the god of war.

“The Fire Brigade,” the MetroGoldwyn - Mayer feature at the Majestic Theatre this week, preaches this truism. The picture was screened last night before an appreciative audience. May McAvoy is the heroine of this romance of the reel . and the hose. It is a simple story of American domesticity interrupted occasionally by the hoot of the fire engine as it scurries through the streets on its errand of mercy, a story, too, that emphasises an obivous moral. ! Photographically, the film has much to recommend it, especially in the fire scenes. They are presented with a realism positively terrifying at times — the experience, for instance, of the three O’lsTeill brothers, all sturdy members of the brigade, as their father had been before them.

Trapped in a blazing building, and surrounded by dangerous explosives, their plight indeed was a sorry one. It was then that the Asbestos Squad was called in. These men, in their peculiar garb, looked for all the world like Klu Klux Klansmen on some ceremonial expedition. Nevertheless, they fought their way through the flames, and eventually, rescued at least one of the brothers. In this instance the film has a peculiar interest for all interested in firefighting appliances. The latest American innovations are demonstrated, and the rapidity and skill of the men engaged in this important work fully emphasised. Then, there is the human interest. The mother, who so anxiously waits at home for news of her sons. Well does she recall kissing her husband goodbye, when he went out so unsuspectingly to his death. It fell to her lot to have precisely the same experience with one of her sons. Firemen, like policemen, perform a highly valuable public service. Yet, by the average man in the street, their work is very largely taken for granted. The fire-fighter who dies on duty is every bit as much a hero as the man who faced death in the trenches. In calling attention to this important service, “The Fire Brigade” is performing a valuable service. “Love ’em and Leave ’em,” the latest Max Davidson comedy*, is replete with a pie-flinging episode that would delight the heart of the average small boy. "Hamilton,” the scenic, is of much interest, as it reveals the Waikato River town as one of the ideallysituated cities in the Dominion. It is one of a valuable series for which credit must be awarded to the Government Publicity Department. The Majestic topical has a unique view of a balloon descending in flames at the Trenton sho.w, and landing on a

considerable number of parked motorcars. The incident, naturally, though unrehearsed, was none the less exciting for that. In the English section the popular Prince of Wales—no gazette for that matter is really* complete without the Prince—is seen performing one of his many* public duties. On this occasion he is inspecting the boy's of a training ship. Mr. J. Whiteford-Waugh had recourse to the invaluable Von Suppe for the “Pique Dame” overture. It was performed by* his orchestra with their usual high standard of execution. Miss Beryl Nettleton and Miss Marjorie Turner arranged the nautical ballet in which Doreen O’Leary sent cheery greetings to Hawaii.