NATIONAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 579, 4 February 1929, Page 14

NATIONAL

“MORAN OF THE MARINES” When a young fellow learns that the girl of his dreams is going to China and knows that the Corps of Marines is also going there, there is every indication that he will join the Marines. That’s what happened to Richard Dix in his latest Paramount picture, “Moran of the Marines,” which is nowbeing shown at the National Theatre. Michael Moran was a young fellow very much down on his luck. lie had the fortune to have an uncle who paid all his expenses, but there, came a day when uncle flatly refused to pay the police fine which followed a somewhat uproarious fight in a San Francisco cafe. So poor Michael broke stones under the eye of warders for 10 days and returned to civilisation with no money and no prospects. Then it was that his boon companion, “Swatty,” suggested the Marines, so they enlisted. The long-awaited orders to sail for China came at last, and here the film takes a slightly different trend. m he amusing comedy and light romance of San Francisco and the Marines headquarters at San Pedro changes to drama amid the arid wastes of China. The Marines are seen in camp in rocky country endeavouring to capture a notorious bandit named Sung Yat. The girl in the case is also in China with her father, and while up in a private airplane flight one day is forced to land among the bandits and is captured. Here Moran appears and puts everything right for himself and the world. H'e is instrumental in freeing the girl, rehabilitates himself, and finally is forgiven by the wealthy old uncle. Ruth Elder, fhe girl who holds the unique distinction of being the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean by air, has the leading feminine role and acquits herself very well. She Vs as both beauty and acting ability. The remainder of the cast consists of capable actors. The whole picture is one which everyone can enjoy. Most enjoyable music by the fine National orchestra and interesting short films complete the entertainment.

Fredrick March, a prominent Broadway stage favourite, has been chosen for one of the leading roles in the Paramount all-dialogue picjture. “The Dummy,” which is to go into production in the near future. ‘«The Dummy” is the first talking comedy to reach the audible screen, previous sound productions having been confined to drama.