New-York tribune., 1918-07-30
Official War Film
By Haywood Broun

"America's Answer" the second Of
fetal war film, which was shown at the
George M. Cohan Theatre last night,
is a good picture. Practically all the
faults of "Pershing's Crusaders" have
been eliminated. The captions of the
new picture are trife flip at times,
to be sure. but they never overstep the
mark into mere swank. They are de-
signed to suit the taste of the general
moving picture public and succeed ad
mirably.
The first half of the film is largely
devoted to activities behind the line.
These are varied enough to hold the
interest, but, of course, they are Sec
ondary to the latter half of the picture,
in which the doughboys are shown in
action. The beginning Of the success
full drive against Cantigny is the most
arresting scene in the picture. 1t
might be we'll for some of the pro-
ducers OF fctional war scenarios to OBJ
serve this particular bit carefully.
There is an entire absence of the ex-
element which any producer would
hammer in if he were directing supers.
The men who go over are not running.
They go forward as slowly and meth
we'll known directions of Bob Adamson.
The tanks which precede the advance
are also shown, as we'll as the Amer
can guns in action.
There are a number of trench scenes
and several interesting views of Ameri-
cans being decorated by the French
with the traditional double kiss. The
doughboys seemed to stand up under
it manfully. Times have changed since
the early days One of our liveliest
recollections is the look of horror
which we saw on the face of an Ameri-
can soldier when he attended his first
awarding medals to Blue Devils and as
he gave out the first military medal he
leaned forward, formally enough, to
kiss the man whom he had just deco
rated. The doughboy whistled in sur
prise.
Pm son of a gun," he said, "it's
true!"
In the journey back of the lines ths
audience sees troopships and their
conveys. 1t sees doughboys marching
for the first time on French soil. It
'>No
and Salvation Army doughnuts and
railroad engines and billets and beans
and most of the vast numbers of fac
tors which 20 to make up an army in
side and out. The photography is
excellent, and perhaps nothing is quite
so fine as scene in which the chill
dren of France are running to cheer
'les Americains."
Major Teddy Roosevelt flashes
across the screen at the head of his
battalion and was rousingly cheered
last night, and there was applause for
the nameless men, too, officers and SOL
diers. Particularly warm was the
greeting to the fellows who were start
ing up for the front in the camions
They've seen lot of hard fighting
since these particular films were taken,
but it's pleasant to know they all went
away with a grin at the camera man.
We were not able to agree with
everything which George Creel said in
his little talk between the acts. We
believe he is mistaken in suggesting
that an absolute unanimity Of opinion
is possible or even desirous in this
mocracy. We almost believe that a
little wrongheaded thinking should be
preserved to stimulate the thought of
those who think wisely.
But our business lies with the film,
and Mr.. Creel and the Committee on
Public Information deserve due credit
for a first class piece Of work. Prob
ably they are more concerned with put
ting out a picture which will attract
large audiences, and undoubtedly they
will have that satisfaction, for the au-
dience last night gave every indication
of interest and enthusiasm. "Ameri-
cas- Answer" is among the best Of the
war pictures shown here, which re-
minds US that few of the flying stunts
from Rothapfel's marine picture are
introduced with good effect.