NAVAL OCCASIONS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 637, 13 April 1929, Page 15

NAVAL OCCASIONS

“THE FLAG LIEUTENANT” MAJESTIC’S SPY FEATURE Set against a background of Chinese terror, inspired by the agitations of emissaries of a foreign Power, “The Further Adventures of the Flag Lieutenant,” the all-British picture which opened the new picture week at the Majestic last evening, provided thrills in plenty for lovers of action of the Senior Service. “The Flag Lieutenant,” the previous picture of the series, which was shown in Auckland some time ago, dealt with the dashing exploits of a young naval officer, and the sequel shown last evening was a continuation of the adventures of the same young officer. The plot deals with the undermining of Britain’s prestige in the East, and the theft of important documents from the flagship of the squadron, which is guarding the interests of Europeans in China. How a flag lieutenant recovers the documents after passing through thrilling adventures among enemy spies makes a story that thrills and grips. The atmosphere of cunning and intrigue is subtly conveyed, and not overdrawn by the actors, while the background of the Chinese seaport brings the turmoil of the East before the audience.

The part of Dicky Lascelles, the dashing flag lieutenant, is played by Henry Edwards, who portrays the courageous, devil-may-care young naval officer to perfection. Isabel Deans, as the woman spy who steals the documents from the flagship, upholds her reputation as one of the cleverest actresses on the screen. The admiral of the fleet is played by Fewlass Llewellyn, while the part of his daughter is taken by Lilian Oldfield, noted in screen circles for her great beauty.

Albert and Seth Egbert, as a marine and a sailor, supply the necessary humour in one of the finest British films ever shown in Auckland.

“Songs of Scotland,” a film dealing with romance in Scotland in the early part of last century, was enthusiastically greeted. During the filming, the Majestic Orchestra, under the baton of Mr. J. Whiteford Waugh, plays a series of delightful Scottish airs. “Songs of Scotland,” “Annie Laurie,” “Cornin’ Thro’ the Rye,” “Ye Ranks and Braes of Bonnie boon," “Robin Adair,” and “Auld Lang Syne” are a few of the musical gems played. During the evening the following musical programme was also rendered by the orchestra: “A Life on the Ocean” (Binding), “Patriotic Memories” (Edward St. Quentin), “Orientals” (Caesar Cui), “In a Bamboo Garden”; “Scens Bearnaises” (Broustel); “Destruction of Atlantis” (Safranek), “Britannia,” nautical overture, (MacKenzie); overture, “Scenes Neapolitan” (Massenet).

“ChfLsing Husbands,” a laughable Hal Roach comedy, kept the audience in fits of merriment. The exciting adventures of an amateur detective disguised as a flapper were too funny for words.

A local touch was a presentation of •‘Auckland on Wheels,” dealing with the activities of the Auckland Transport Board, and showing the various repairs carried out at the Mount Roskill workshops.

The Majestic Magazine was up to the usual high standard, showing a variety of interesting events from all over the world.