Evening star., 1939-04-22

ceedingly pleasant to report that the
studio have not gone overheard In
the new Aim at the Capitol. It is
"flag-waving," to be sure, but 1t also
is proof that real entertainment can
be achieved in the welding of STIR
ring drama with an out-and- -out
preachment that America is q fine
place to call home.
The point is that you think these
United States are swell, but you
don't like to be told 50 too obviously.
LET Freedom Ring" points 1t out to
you without getting up on a soap
box to shout. It's a rousing, ad-
venturous action fable which is solid,
satisfying entertainment, message
or no message. And when it does
turn patriotic 1t does SO with the ut
most dexterity and the best taste in
the world.
The finale, one Of those flag -wav-
ing" moments II there ever was one,
still Is something that will bring
tears to your eyes, welled up there
by emotion that bursts your heart
and pride that swells your breast
pride In what your Nation has
achieved for itself and for you. It's
the moment when Nelson Eddy
pleads with mob Of railroad la
borers to renounce the robber flnan-
cier who is their employer, to assert
themselves as free Americans. Driven
back by the employers threat that
they will have no jobs, the mob
turns, is deserting Mr.. Eddy and his
cause of right. Then there comes
the voice of Virginia Bruce, softly
At first, singing the first strains Of
America"
Our eyes were wet-and we're
proud to admit it-by the time she
got to Sweet land Of liberty" and
long before the mob turned and
joined In the song. You may not
give way so far as to join Miss
Bruce yourself, but you will applaud
to satisfy the urge you have to
stand up and cheer. Perhaps it is
just trickery, but 1t alsv is an emo
tional experience you will be thrilled
to enjoy. especially in these particu-
larly trying times. It may look like
hokum down here on paper, but 1t
isn't hokum up on the screen in
Let Freedom Ring
It is possible, Of course, that such
q joyous patriotic cry might have
fallen upon some deaf ears in an
other and pleasanter day. But now.
with q Shiny black murk of Dictator
ship crawling over too much of the
earth, 1t Is fine to be reminded that
there still is some place where free
dom does ring.
1t is fine to be reminded, but we
still have suspicion that 1t Is the
events which have gone before which
make the ending of Let Freedom
Ring" the thrill it undoubtedly is,
the method OF the telling and not
the message itself which makes the
picture something to be seen.
It Is enough, maybe, that Let
Freedom Ring" is that kind of
picture. without delving too far into
the reasons why it Is. And 1t Is
picture to be seen. 1t has adven-
ture, 1t has comedy, it has music
and it has romance. It moves and
boy meets girl. The story is not
particularly novel-it's the one about
the lad who saves the lands of his
people and friends from the greedy
flnancier who is grasping them by
might instead of right in the name
Of progress and q railroad-but 1t Is
done as well as 1t ever has been.
Ben Hecht. whose talents have
turned toward many periods and
many places, here has looked at the
pioneer West and contrived script
which Is studded with uproarious
fun and vigorous action. His humor
goes clear to the point of having his
hero steal an entire newspaper shop
that he may print his own paper.
And his action reaches the point
where Nelson Eddy, believe 1t or
don't, enters into rare, wild and
brutal slugfest with Victor McLag-
len. And wins!
This now brings us around to
Mr.. Eddy-at last. It is truly sig
nif1cant that the glorious Eddy
voice has not been mentioned be-
fore. That used to be all you
could talk about politely in q dis
cussion Of Mr.. Eddy, but no more.
Nothing has been said Of Mr..
Eddy's way with a song because
his singing In Let Freedom Ring"
is just something incidental. Mr..
Eddy has turned actor. Let away
from the bounds Of operetta he gets
away also from all that operetta
stiffness. He is easy in his man.
ner and natural and completely
likable. He has become such q
gracious cinema performer that it
Is not even a surprise when he
gets into that battle with Mr.. Nc
Laghlen and. in fact, you will be
pulling for Nelson to win.
There are other performances Of
note in Let Freedom Ring" too.
Virginia Bruce is, of course, the
perfect heroine for any romance
as far as this part Of this depart
ment IS concerned. And the film
is enlivened by host Of interest
ing characters, portrayed with the
utmost skill by such able people
n Cs11 -