World's Oddest Army

Radio Record, Volume XII, Issue 31, 13 January 1939, Page 17

World's Oddest Army

HOLLYWOOD VETERANS OF MANY "WARS" ADD to your list of odd jobs in the movies that of Richard yon Opel. Von Opel ~- commands the world’s most strange standing army. It fights for no country and is more often defeated than vietorious. Hach of its 48 members has "died" at least once on a movie battiefield. At present they are to be seen as the heroic Swiss Guard in "Marie Antionette." A few months ago, they were red-coated troops of Napoleon in "Marie Walewska." To-morrow, they may be American soldiers in the trenches. They have been trained to carry eighteenth. century spears at the proper angle, ride horseback in suits of armour, or operate machine guns, atl with equal skill and ease, Two years ago, this troop did not exist. It is the creation of von Opel, a former officer in the Austrian army. When yon Opel went to the United States in 1932, he

found his accomplishments as a soldier and a gentleman. litile in demand.. Appailed at the -inexpertness displayed by screen armies, he decided to organise and train a regiment that would be 100 per cent. efficient, at the same time making a job for himself. "THE majority of my soldiers had ng previous experience," said. von Opel. "I prefer athletic young men of serious character and .good habits, who are willing

to work hard and accept the severest discipline," For the most part, von Opel receruited his "soldiers" from petrol stations, soda fountains and department stores. A few were recent college and high school graduates. All were ambitious, When the undesirables had heen weeded out, von Opel put his army through a six-months course of military exercises, designed along the lines of the old Austrian officers’ school. Instruction was Siven. in. fencing, horsemanship and.gymnasties. The army: drilled daily until the most difficult formations, both on horseback and afoot, became routine. Today, von Opel’s army is rated the finest in Hollywood. In two years; it has appeared in twentyfour motion. pictures, and is in constant demand. Whether a studio requires a Macedonian phalanx or a crack Highiand Scottish brigade, von Opel’s army is ready to march