STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 575, 30 January 1929, Page 17

STRAND

“FOUR SONS” “Four Sons.” Fox’s screen version of Miss I. A. R. Wylie’s story, “Grandma Bernle Learns Her Letters,” holds the screen at the Strand Theatre this week, and deserves all the high praise showered upon it in New York and other cities. “Four Sons” is entitled to its classification as a masterpiece. It is crowded with all the elements that go toward making up superb screen entertainment. It tells of a mother’s abiding faith in her four sons, and in the world. Their home, happy at first, is clouded with the coming of the war. The old mother is torn between her sons in the German Army and her one son in the American Army. With the exception of one scene on the battlefield, in which brother fights brother, the war itself is not projected into the story except as an off-screen background. Rather it is the tale of a mother the sons leave behind, her smuggles and her heartaches, told with honesty and simplicity, and at all times with the utmost dramatic effect. John Ford, noted director of “Mother Machree,” “The Iron Horse.” and many other screen triumphs, also directed “Four Sons.” Included in the cast are Margaret Mann, playing the mother James Hall, Charles Morton, George Meeker, and Francis X. Bushman, jun., son of the celebrated screen star, play - ing the sons; Earle Foxe and June Colly er. All give remarkable performA Strand Magazine.and a fine musical programme from Eve Bentley’s orchestra, completes the show. BAND IN ALBERT PARK The Municipal Band plays in Albei t Park to-night at eight o’clock. A fine musical programme includes the Marche et Cortage” from “La Heine de Saba”; “Les Cloches de CorneviUe” overture: grand selection from The Valkyrie”; triumphal march, “Cleopatm”; Piccolo solo by ijr, Hal. C. McLennan, “Pyramids”: selection. "Ros“ Marie.” together with several light and bright numbers.