NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 340, 28 April 1928, Page 15

NEW REGENT

BRITISH NAVAL FILM An intimate and thrilling story of the British Navy, at rest and in action, is contained in the British film, "Second to None,” which had its premiere at the New Regent Theatre last evening. The idea that Britain has no chance of competing with America in the production of films must go by the board after seeing this realistic picture of our Empire’s first line of defence. The photography is excellent, and the big cast has been chosen with care, so that altogether the producers have given the public a picture that will long be remembered. There is a definite story woven about the huge, grey monsters of the seas, and a story that is both attractive and intensely interesting. Two children, the girl left alone in the world and picked up at sea by a cruiser, becomes the ward of the captain. Her pal, Bill, is a newsboy, but gets hjs chance in the Navy through the influence of the captain. He fights his way up the ladder of success, his guiding star being his playmate, Ina. But she forgets, and marries her ward, Bill’s captain. Bill, who had remembered, deserts, but the call of the war drags him back to fight. In the height of battle he is killed, and atones for the crime of desertion. The battle scene is produced in all its realism. Big guns belching forth death and destruction, and the great grey ships pounding their way through the seas in line of battle presents a vivid and everlasting impression of the might of the British Navy. It is surely a picture that will thrill all Britishers, and one which is due for a successful season. As in keeping with the style of picture, the management has seen to it that the right atmosphere should be created. The orchestra plays as the entr’acte, "Freedom’s Flag,” specially arranged by Mr. Maurice Guttridge. The prologue was the feature of the presentation. Mr. Hilton Porter, late of the "Rose Marie” Company, sang “Drake Goes West,” his fine baritone voice beind heard to great advantage. In this song the orchestra showed a tendency to drown the voice of the singer several times last evening. Miss Cecil Hall’s pupils were associated in a cleverly-thought-out and well-executed ballet. Miss Isabelle Brook and Miss Mary Wilson, handled the solo work remarkably well. Two comedians dispensed just sufficient humour to make things enjoyable. The stage settings for this -were exceedingly good, the fo’c’sle of a cruiser being the scene. A comedy interlude, “Toddles,” a really clever story of a baby and a dog, earned much applause, and the j Regent Gazette, which completed the 1 picture programme, contained man's

interesting glimpses of other countries. The fueling of a huge air liner from the deck of an American battleship was a scene that was indeed unique. Mr. Leslie V. Harvey enhanced his popularity still more with his playing last evening of the “Mikado” selection, and "Chansonette” (Friml). Treating his subjects with true sympathy, Mr. Harvey delighted all present with his choice of compositions, and rendition. He had to respond to insistent applause for an encore. Mr. Maurice Guttridge took his orchestra through a well-chosen and appropriate programme of musical numbers, all of wjdch were much appreciated.