INSPIRED BY SONG

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1063, 29 August 1930, Page 15

INSPIRED BY SONG

EPIC OF REVOLUTION AT MAJESTIC “CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD” An infuriated mob, swarming on to the ramparts of the mighty Bastille, and led by a hero whose powerful voice sent the tingling strains, of “La Marseillaise” surging over all—the romance of the French Revolution was brought to j the Majestic last evening with “Captain of the Guard.” VOVELISTS have achieved fame and fortune by trafficking’ in the story of the revolution and now the screen has mad© it possible for an audience to be present at what was really the birth of a nation. The'film was inspired by the Marseillais© and tli© writing of it by young Houget do Lisle. The anthem swept through a France, cowed by tyranny, and, on the wings of that magnificent anthem, revolution was borne to the gates, and even within the gates, of the Tuilories. Woven through the gripping action of the film, was a slender thread of sentiment —the love story of do Lislo and a girl who also did her part in rousing the smouldering flames of revolt. De Lisle and the girl, Marie Marnay, met at her father's inn mid the pleasant surroundings of the south country. There de Lisle taught the girl singing with intervals of pretty sentiment beneath the blossom-burdened apple trees. Be Lisle was called away to take his station as a captain in the King’s Guard, his| revolutionary Sympathies resulting in his being cast into prison for treason. He was released through the intervention of Marie Antoinette, and, as a mark of gratitude, asked leave to sing before King Louis. ROUSING COUNTRYSIDE Then, with Paris already grumbling at the door, he sang the great anthem he had written in prison. In the meantime, Marnay, the innkeeper, had been shot by soldiers, and his daughter, under the name of “The Torch.” was rousing the people of the countryside to throw in- their lot with their Parisian comrades. “The Torch” was arrested and condemned to death. All was ready for the revolt except that the southern reinforcements had not arrived. Be Lisle, who stood high in the favour of the revolutionaries, was sent to look for the men and led them exulting and roaring the Marseillaise as they rapidly covered the ground separating them from Paris and the centre of the tyranny they had too long endured. It was a march that lias gone down to history. Thousands of dancing- torches pierced the ‘darkness of the night and sent a glow to I he clouds while all around the air was filled with the song of songs. While the girl prayed on her knees in the Bastille and shrank from the sound of workmen driving the spikes into the gibbet from which she was to hang, her followers were mustering and the mob swept over Paris. To the strains of the Marseillaise, sung this time as a paeon of victory, de Lisle and his love were united. France was A gazette and an amusing comedy number, ‘'Old Bill’s Christmas,” with the story written by the famous Bruce Bairnsfather, were the supports. GEORGE BANCROFT AT PLAZA The well-known actor, George Bancroft, is largely responsible for the success of “Ladies Love Brutes,” which will head the attractive entertainment at the Plaza Theatre. Prominent members of the cast are Mary Astor, Claude Allister, Stanley Fields, Frederic March and Ben Hendricks. Bancroft is seen as a successful contractor who aspires to marry a societywoman. Trying to convince the woman of his abilities he unwittingly places himself in the Tlands of personal enemies, and how he finally gains her affection makes an interesting story. The shorter films include a comedy, a sound cartoon and gazette. COMMUNITY SING TONIGHT The Friday evening community sing which proved so successful last week will be repeated again this evening, when a happy sing-song will be enjoyed in the Lewis Eady Hall between 7.30 and 5.30 p.m.