STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 572, 26 January 1929, Page 16

STRAND

APPEAL OF “FOUR SONS" Two sun* of a German mother k.-, died gloriously fighting for '*v Fatherland on the Russian and two others are still —m opposing armies. Round th, t slenderest of plots is built “Four Sons, showing at the Strand Theatrl nV? 'rVr- T h f story is from t] pen ot tiie noted novelist T \ i> Wylie, and must go flown to him histor\ us one of The most sweetlv com peiling tales that has been present to tlie picture public of this city Directed by John Ford, the production is a masterpiece of character portrayal of faithful adherence to tlio author’s intention and of photography. Rarely have scenes so beautiful come tu the screen. Was the soul of pre-war Germany—the sonl or the villagers and the ordinary folk —steeped in militarism ? ‘*F n u r Sons” goes a long way to shatter that delusion. The story reveals the heart of civilian Germany during the war. 'f _ suppose they have mothers, too"" said an American soldier on hearing a dying Bavarian murmur. “Little Mother.” All the Allied world had forgotten that a German could hav e a sorrowing mother also. The central figure is Mother Bernle To few people comes histrionic success at the age of 60. Yet this is the achievement of Margaret Mann. What a mother she makes! Her work is magnificent. Wha:: an appeal, what contact with her audience. You laugh with her and grieve with her and ultimately rejoice with her. The four boys are played byJames Hall, Francis X. Bushman junr., Charles Morton and George Meeker. June Collyer has the girl’s part. In a word, “Four Sons” tells how three go to fight for the Fatherland, while the fourth, who had before the War gone to Xew York, marries a beautiful American girl, and is prosperous. When the United States enters the War Joseph is torn between his love for the Fatherland and his love for his adopted country. He enlists with the American Army and on the battlefield encounters his only surviving brother. The war ended. Joseph returns to the States—the only son left. His mother later joins him in New York, and you see the difficulties she meets with at Ellis Island. Do not on any account miss “Four Sons.’ A well-balanced supporting programme includes a pleasantly executed prologue by the Lyric Four A comedy, “Up on the Farm,” provides a plenitude of thrills. There is also an industrial picture of absorbing interest illustrating the mass production of a noted English motor-car. A Pathe gazette and the Strand Orchestra complete an entertainment greatly above the average.