TRANSFERRED TO KING’S NAVY

Evening Star, Issue 23369, 12 September 1939, Page 5

TRANSFERRED TO KING’S NAVY

CRUISERS LEANDER AND ACHILLES [Pan United Press Association.] WELLINGTON," September 11. At the request of the British Government operational control of the warships Leander and Achilles has passed from New Zealand to the British Government. An ‘ Extraordinary Gazette ’ published to-night states that the change has been made under the provisions of the Naval Defence Act, lllf.'i, which stipulates that the Go-vernor-General may transfer to the King’s naval forces any vessel of the New Zealand naval forces. All the officers and men on both ships, however, will remain part of the New Zealand naval forces and he subject to the laws, rules, and regulations in force relating to officers and men of the New Zealand naval forces.

his sinister ancestral home, which has been standing empty for 25 years, since the death of his father, accompanied by his young wife and child. Amid wild crashes of thunder and lurid flashes of lightning, the family receives a chilly greeting from the sullen villagers. They learn that there have been several murders in the village, all apparenty committed by the same person. Frankenstein discovers that the monster created by his father lies in the secret vaults beneath the castle, and, aided by Ygor, who has looked after the monster for 25 years, the scientist once more looses the monster on a terrified world. ST. JAMES It should be sufficient to say of ‘ Union Pacific,’ which is being presented at the St. James for an extended season, that it is one of the best directed and most richly satisfying productions to the credit of Cecil B. de Mille. There is a spaciousness of conception and thoroughness of execution which gives ‘ Union Pacific ’ a distinctive quality, ft is a representation of the adventure and drama of the construction of the first American eoast-to-coast railway, and Joel M'Oren, Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Preston. Brian Donlevy, and Akim Tamiroff are seen in excellent roles. REGENT There can be only one opinion about the success of ‘ Stolen Life,’ which is being screened at the Regent. It is one of the most brilliant films of the year. It is at once a triumph for Elisabeth Berguer, for her producerhusband, Paul Czinner, and for the author and the adapter of the original novel—K. Benes and Margaret Kennedy respectively. Bergner has won effortlessly a high place among the actresses of the day, and in this production, in an exacting dual role, she once more proves her superiority to nine-tenths of her contemporaries. Michael Redgrave, the handsome young star of ‘ The Lady Vanishes,’ shares the honours. He has a less rich part than his patner, but he makes an admirable for for her. Another delightful perform ance is given by Wilfred Lawson, Ai the kindly father, he gives a rich char acterisation. The story concerns twin girls, whose resemblance is complete except in temperament. ADVERSITY AND COURAGE. A worthy successor to ‘ Magnificent Obsession ’ and ‘ Green Light ’ — ‘ White Banners,’ also adapted from a best-selling novel by Lloyd C. Douglas -—will be opened at the Regent next Friday. It is a moving tale, which has a message to convey-—the message of courage in the face of_ adversity. That the story seems to be lived rather than acted, is a tribute to.a splendid cast. Fay Bainter, who has long been celebrated as a stage player, made her first screen impression with ‘ Quality Street,’ and followed up with her appealing character role in ‘ Jezebel.’ In ‘ White Banners,’ Miss Bainter is Hannah Parxnalee, the humble peddler of kitchen knives who keeps her white banner aloft' in the face of spiritual travail that would have defeated anyone with less than the utmost in courage and nobility of soul. Claude Rams, as Paul Ward, gives an excellent demonstration of the range of his remarkable gifts as an actor, for his is a thoroughly sympathetic role, and. as all film-goers know, he gets most of his acting practice in villain roles.

STRAND An excellent double-feature programme is being shown at the Strand. The first picture is ‘ Youth Takes a Flint*-,’ a romantic comedy featuring Joel" M'Crea and Andrea Leeds. M'Crea is seen as a young man who announces his intention to remain free and heart-whole, but his reactions when his sweetheart proposes to marry another man give amusing proof that his position is not altogether tenable. The second picure is ‘ Streets of New York.’ in which Jackie Cooper, Martin Spellman. Marjorie Reynolds, and Dick Purcell are the featured players. Cooper, ambitious to become a successful lawver. models himself on Abraham Lincoln and operates a news .stand in order to finance his way to college. MAYFAIR Ronald Column plays the role of Francois Villon, dashing poet, of modiieval Paris, in ‘ If 1 Were King, which is to -finish to-night at fair. The supporting film is ‘Racket Dusters,’ a thrilling drama of the hght against the law-breakers of Ameiica. EDGAR WALLACE THRILLER. Adapted from Edgar Wallace’s comedy mystery thriller, ‘ The' Ringer,’ the main attraction on the new programme which will open at the Mayfair to-mor-row, ‘ The Gaunt Stranger ’ has suspense murder, romance, and humour all playing a part in the unfolding of a gripping story. Maurice Meistc-r, a criminal lawyer, receives a message from a notorious killer advising him of the date and hour of his impending death. At the appointed hour Inspector Wembury and the division surgeon, Dr Lomond, are present at Meister’s house; but, in spite of their caution, the killer strikes the fatal blow. In an exciting climax the killer is revealed, and how he eludes the police and vanishes into thin air provides one of the most thrilling and amusing highlights of the film. Sonnie Hale as Sam Hackett, a Cockney lag, and Wilfred Lawson as the unscrupulous Meister head a cast of outstanding talent. Supporting will be the entertaining ‘Sailing Along.’