Recent correspondence on the taste fof Shanghai's cinema public receives Hlustration in the curious tepidity of the support given to two films which elsewhere have been warmly. applauded—"Night Must, Fall", "Make Way for To-morrow." Neither of these ims was. frivolous although each had its moments of really well-Sustained humour. One was a strong study of the psychology "of the murderer; the other gave a faithful exposition of a domestic" problem Which has disturbed families from the days of the Flood. "Both Alms received exceptionally discriminating and laudatory reviews from. this Journal's onlies. 'Yet "Make Way for To-morrow" at the Cathay 'Theatre had to "ake way for Wodehouse on 'Sunday and "Night Must Fall," fell last night, 'The former, as an' essay in realist comedy In' the Shake-Spearean sense, could hardly have been bettered. "It deserved to rank beside "State Fair" and its east was without a single weak point. Mr. Emlyn Williams' play was perfectly reproduced at the Nanking Theatre.
gave Mr, Robert Montgomery the Acting triumph of his life. Tt showed tone of England's finest character actresses in a role which she had created on the stage with brilliant results. Dame May Whitty's performance was well matched by those the rest of the east, especially Miss Rosalind Russell. Yet Shanghai could not support these cinemas with 2 verdict which the managements could describe as favourable. Tt may permissible to express the hope tat the exhibitors will not be downcast by these experiences, but will persist. In the expectation of bringing Shanghai's taste on to the When this journal's London cor~ respondent telegraphed last week that Colonel J, W. Hornby had been recommended io the Shanghai Municipal Council by the British War Ofice for selection and appointment as the successor to Colonel F, Graham. it was at once noted thai for the Arst time in recent history the Shanghai Voluntesr Corps would be commanded by a cavalry oticer. From the official announcement of Colonel Hornby's appointment it will have been seen that the Commandant-designate has had a varied experience which has included command of a camel corps os well as of a cavalry regiment. It should be added that the 12th Royal Lancers—they are allied to the 12th Manitoba Dragoon (Canada) and the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry (New Zoa-land)—are now a mechanized unit, so. in addition to horses and camels the handling of tanks has come within Colonel Hornby's military Philosophy. Those who have met him declare that, apart from his distinguished professional qualitications. he has a personality calculated to appeal specially to keen volunteers. His service with the Egyptian Army and Sudan Defence force underlines that point and there every reason to believe that the traditions 60 ably dirvied on by Colonel Graham will be safe in his hands.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.