Surrender: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, August 30, 1935

New York Times, November 28, 1931

In a War Prison Camp.

By MORDAUNT HALL

Life in a German prison camp forms the background of "Surrender," the present screen contribution at the Roxy, which is based on Pierre Benoit's play, "Axelle." One of the several interesting figures in this film is Count Reichendorf, played to perfection by C. Aubrey Smith. If for no other reason than to witness Mr. Smith's fine characterization, this picture is worthy of attention. He captures one's admiration soon after he appears as the Count, who was a General in the Franco-Prussian War and who constantly makes comparisons between his own experiences and those of his surviving son, Dietrich, in the world conflict.

William K. Howard, who always succeeds in leading a great deal of artistry to his productions, once again reveals his talent as a director. In depicting French prisoners escaping at night from the camp, he gives to his scenes a marvelous impression of darkness and yet permits the spectator to see what is going on. Mr. Howard perambulates his camera in all directions, when going through the camp and also through the spacious rooms of the Count's castle.

Warner Baxter and Leila Hyams are entrusted with the romantic röles, and although Miss Hyams's hair is too carefully waved and she arrays herself in several gowns, which probably would not have been worn in war time, she succeeds in appearing so attractive that one can put such ideas down to pictorial license. As for Mr. Baxter, he does exceedingly well in his handling of courage, love and humor. It is really no wonder that the old Count and Axelle (Miss Hyams), who is the fiancée of the Count's son, Dietrich, take an interest in this French captive, Sergeant Dumaine (Mr. Baxter).

Here there is Captain Elbing, the commandant of the camp, whose face has been so badly disfigured in the fighting that he wears a black silk handkerchief over half of it. It is he who instructs Sergeant Dumaine to wire the Count's castle for electric lighting. While doing this work, Dumaine has frequent talks with Axelle and on one occasion she asks him whether he has finished wiring the castle. Dumaine, with a jolly laugh, announces that he has wired it three times. Love, of course, results and subsequently when Dumaine joins his comrades in a second attempt to escape, they are all spared facing a firing squad through Axelle's intercession. Then comes the armistice and the gallant French sergeant wins the charming Axelle.

It is after all a slender story, but one that is filmed so efficiently that its only clumsy periods are when modern American humor is heard to come from the French prisoners. Ralph Bellamy does very well as Captain Elbing, who as soon as he hears an armistice has been signed, sends his dog away and shoots himself. He is willing to live through war in his disfigured condition, but existence in peace time is unbearable to him. Alexander Kirkland's impersonation of Dietrich is another earnest and efficient characterization.

Besides the orchestra's rendition of Tchaikovsky's "Overture 1812," there is on the surrounding program a series of numbers known as "Old Russia."

Surrender: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, August 30, 1935