h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

After work I went to the Uni Up the Road to see a showing of 'Dawn', a silent 1928 film about the true story of Nurse Edith Cavell starring Sybil Thorndike. Nurse Cavell saved the lives of over 200 prisoners of war, smuggling them out of occupied Belgium, and was executed. Though one of the most controversial films of the 1920s for fear it would promote hatred, the film itself is anti-war rather than anti-German.

A new score was composed for this showing by some of the students in the University of Southampton's music department, and there were parts where the audience were encouraged to join in. Notably when the prisoners escaped under the German's noses we were encouraged to whistle 'Colonel Bogey March' (originally composed 1914, later known as 'Hitler has only got one Ball'). It's not often you get to accompany a priceless Steinway by whistling.

Before the showing I popped into the University of Southampton's library to see if they had a book, only to meet with a surprisingly hostile reception.

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Hey, I like that Edith Cavell singalong idea - good for the music department!

It was very moving as it went from singing 'Pack Up Your Troubles' and 'It's A Long Way To Tipperary' to suddenly and slowly singing 'Abide With Me' after Nurse Cavell has been told she will be executed at dawn. The film also ends quite abruptly due to it being censored, although apparently a Belgian print suvives with the ending intact.

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Wow...amazing!

Incidentally, GB wrote an entry about her: A5689119 Edith Cavell - Nurse and WWI Martyr
They also promoted charity the Edith Cavell Trust.

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Here in the US the 'Colonel Bogey March' is most remembered as the tune whistled by the POW's at the opening of the film 'Bridge over the River Kwai' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwApm8lXoUQ

F S

And to old baby boomers as 'Winners warm up with Malt-O-Meal'.