SEA BATTLES.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19466, 13 November 1928, Page 9

SEA BATTLES.

CORONEL AND FALKLAND. GRAND THEATRE. The value of the motion picture in presenting an impression of any happening, far more . vivid than that left on the mind by the finest ' 'descriptive writing, has never been more clearly demonstrated than by the splendid . British-film reconstruction of the Battles of Coronel arid Falkland Islands, which was ; screened at tha Grand Theatre all last week. So successful wsb the picture and so enthusiastically was it received, that the management have decided to extend thtf present season, and this week it will continue to be shown. The picture depicts m detail and ingraphic form two great sea battles, the Aim being made with the assistance of the British Admiralty. It is no mere adventure story, but an epic of the days when Britain fought to retain the mastery of the seas. It is a national effort to put on record an achievement in the national interest. The part of Admiral von Spee is taken by Herr Stock, well-known in German theatrical and Aim circles, and that of the captain of the Gneisenau is entrusted to Captain Hankow, who was a captain in the Imperial German Navy. Rear-Admiral Sir Christopher Cradock's gallant but hopeless fight against tne much superior squadron of Admiral Graf von Spee, off Coronel, is .well told indeed. From the time that the Good Hope, Cradock s flagBhip, and the Monmouth and 6 asgoV opened fire on the German ships until battered ana afire-the first two ships went down, and we Glasgow escaped under cover of night, every scene is realistic in the extreme. The pro oncers have not forgotten that von Spee was not the man to gloat over such a victory, even when he was* feted by the German community of Valparaiso—and has been paid to a brave enemy where it is one. Every scene also in the screening of tne Battle of Falklands is dramatically depicted, from the surprise arrival of the German squadron off Port Stanley, "h'chthey » tended to seize, the. hurried raising of steam by Sturdee's ships coaling m the port, tne retreat of the German cruisers, and the long running fl-rht which followed, till the, fcna sinking-of all but one of von Spee s ™ s *" , ] - Thus ■ was Cradock avenged Mr irans Macdonald sings a trio of •"•songs. In suroort of .the main attraction is shown "The Marriage Busineas " . whichi u » sparkling comedy-drama with a eurpns.ng climax. Many amusins incidents follow in quick succession, and the plot >* ™" m t he tained throughout. It is the story of the intripnes of a younc man at " *° u » e and those of a yonn, woman **»*££,.,£, to be a secret service agen . The prmc y actors play their parts excellently.