CAPTAIN LASH

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 643, 20 April 1929, Page 15

CAPTAIN LASH

TRIALS OF A STOKER MAJESTIC’S NEW PICTURE On© of the red-blooded “bulldogging” men who haunt sailors in their dreams, Captain Lash, the* central figure of the picture of that name which opened the new picture week at the Majestic Theatre last evening, is a “go-getting” man of the sea who drives his men with a hand of iron. Victor McLaglen, the Fox film star who portrays Captain Lash, has the physique and personality necessary to the part. In the depths of the stokehold of an ocean-going liner his sobriquet “Captain Lash,” is earned by the fierce joy he takes in making the men under him work like slaves. Fight is second nature to him —and he gets all he wants. The opening of the story is in Sydney, where Captain Lash and his particular friend: “Cocky,” are seeing the sights of the. city. The big stoker meets dainty Cora Kevins, to find later that she is a passenger on his ship. He has the opportunity at sea of rescuing her from serious injury, though he suffers serious burns himself. She plays havoc with the heart of the susceptible stoker, and turns him from the strong man he was formerly into a weakling with whom she can do as she wishes. Cora is a thief and smuggler, and she endeavours to get Captain Lash to act as her unconscious ally. How her plans go amiss and how the disillusioned stoker decides to go back to his old sweetheart, is told in a series of thrilling situations packed full of thrills and excitement. For those who like “rip-roaring” fights, two fist battles are staged—one in a Sydney public house, and the other in a private house in Singapore. Victor McLaglen plays the part to perfection, his physical build and muscle making the character an ideal one for him, while his acting is magnificent. The comedian, Clyde Cook, takes second honours as the somewhat bibulous companion of Captain Lash, and the faithful companion who pulls his big friend out of awkward scrapes. Other prominent roles are played by Claire Windsor, Jane Winton. Arthur Stone, Albert Conti, Frank Hagnev and Jean Lavertv. A clever comedy, “The Kiss Doctor,” which shows the agonising pains of a young doctor, frightened of women, who finds himself in a job as a women’s specialist, keeps the audience in screams. "Unable to get away from the fair sex, the young man finds himself in all sorts of awkward situations, but his final cure is effected by a most unpleasant but highly effective means, and he is left rejoicing the company and delights of those whom he has shunned so long. “Shadowland,” a novel study in silhouettes, presented on the stage by

Mr. Yorke Gray, is something out of the ordinary. A graceful dance, with a startling climax, and a clever burlesque of the “movie-tones,” is included in the presentation. “Songs of Ireland,” a film depicting Irish rural life, and accompanied by Mr. Whiteford Waugh’s Majesi# Orchestra, drew applause. Several well-known Irish airs were sung and played, making the picture most effective and creating the correct atmosphere. The Majestic Magazine and Eve’s Review filled an already overflowing programme, news from all over the world being shown, together with the latest fashions, which were presented in technicolour. The usual excellent musical fare was provided by Mr. Whiteford Waugh’s Majestic Orchestra.