“TOMMY ATKINS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 620, 23 March 1929, Page 15

“TOMMY ATKINS”

BRITISH PICTURE AT STRAND AN OUTSTANDING PROGRAMME The golden thread of patriotism and of tlio indomitable courage that sends Britishers out to the odd corners of the world, there to establish some smaller Britain, is the theme of "Tommy Atkins,” the British International production, which opened the new picture week at the Strand Theatre laet evening.

The story opens in the Sudan, where Captain Wilson and his small force are ambushed and wiped out. The captain has entrusted his small son, who is with him, to the care of Mason, an unscrupulous trader, who is given documents proving that the boy, Harold, is related to the aged Earl of Petherton.

Mason takes the boy to England, only to find that the earl is dead and that the title and estates have reverted to the next heir. On the understanding that he will keep silence us to Harold’s right to the title, Mason is paid an annual sum by the present earl, who feels that he cannot give up his position and rob liis own son of the earldom. Harold is adopted into the household and grows up with Victor, his cousin, and Ruth, the earl’s ward.

On reaching manhood both men fell in love with Ruth, and on the eve of the Egyptian War Victor succeeds in winning Ruth’s consent to marry him. Harold takes the decision to heart and resigns his position in the Church to join the Army as a private, being drafted to a military outpost in the Sudan, where he is surprised to find Victor in charge.

The drums of war sound and thrill packs upon thrill, ending in the overwhelming of the British force and the death of Victor, who tells Harold of the perfidy of the earl and his (Harold’s) right to the title. Harold returns to England, there to greet. Ruth and forget the wrongs of the past in the happiness of the future. The talented English actress, Lillian Hall-P>avis, takes the part of Ruth, the sweet English girl, ward of the bogus j Earl of Petherton. She has to choose between two English gentlemen with j whom she has grown up and learned !to love. The manner in which she keeps the friendship of both, while I favouring one. is a subtle and clever | piece of acting. I Walter Butler plays the part of the | tile role. Henry Victor is a dashing ! young captain, and Shayle Gardner is cast as Mason, the unscrupulous trader A bright and breezy Bobby Vernon comedy is staged, wherein the redoubtable Bobby has thrilling adventures in pursuit of bonds. His postal adventures with a. giant enemy give the audience no time to recover from tits jof laughter. From beginning to end j the picture is a scream, the unstudied and spontaneous antics of Bobby draw- : ing the full meed of humour from every I situation An interesting Strand Magazine is also shown. As a touch of variety. Miss Margaret O'Connor and partner give an exhibition of the latest Continental dance, the "Tile Trot.” in the tango style. Mr. Birrell O’Malley, in Spanish costume, sings "Chalita.” the first genuine tile trot music to arrive in New Zealand, and is accompanied by the ever-popu-lar Strand Orchestra, under Miss Eve Bentley. The programme concludes with a fine selection by the orchestra.