NATIONAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 559, 11 January 1929, Page 15

NATIONAL

“LEGION OF THE CONDEMNED” “The Legion of the Condemned,” which continues to thrill the large crowds attending the National Theatre, is an air picture, eclipsing any picture of this nature for real entertainment. It was produced following an 18-months’ schedule in filming “Wings,” with the many valuable lessons and experiences gained from the great road show attraction, but the story is entirely different from “Wings,” although with a war background. Paramount stands alone in bringing to the screen the trials and hair-rais-ing exploits of the airmen in time of war. Through the employment of air photography, the audience are literally swept into the sky, fighting side by side with the pilots. This picture also introduces the team, which bids fair to become the screen’s leading romantic pair, Fay Wray and Gary Cooper. In selecting the supporting cast to the Wray-Coopcr team, Director Wellman laid great stress on each individual’s requirements, hence this picture has one of the best casts ever assembled. It includes Lane Chandler, young Barry Norton, Francis MacDonald, Voya George, Freeman Wood, Chariot Bird, Albert Conti, E. H. Calvert, and JElugh Leland. One of the outstanding features of the presentation of “The Legion of the Condemned” is the perfect sound synchronisation, which is achieved by an Editrola. When one sees the speeding of an airplane squadron across the screen after an enemy with machine guns ripping away at one another, the exact droning of the planes, as well as the rat-tat-tat of the machine-guns, and the whine of the wind through the plane struts are distinctly heard just as though the audience themselves were immediately below the scene. Interesting supporting films and music by an augmented orchestra under the baton of Mr. F. Bartlettfl, completes the entertainment.