CRYSTAL PALACE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19918, 3 May 1930, Page 7

CRYSTAL PALACE.

"ATLANTIC."

GJREAT BRITISH TALKIE. Everybody who sympathises with the struggle of British talkies for a place in the sun should see "Atlantic," the allilritish bi-lingual talkie, made and recorded at Elstreo, London, which will be exhibited at the Crystal Palace Theatre next week, i'rom the play, "The Berg," by Ernest Raymond, it ha 3 a sound beginning, and it ! is acted by a company of splendid artists, including Miss EUaline Terris (Mrs Seymour Hicks). Franklyn Dyall, John Lor.\ien, i)onaid Calthorp, Monty Banks, John Stuart, Madeleine Carroll, and Joan Barry, to name but a few. There is really little ago in keeping from the knowledgo of the great theatre-going public the fact that "Atlantic" is based on the wreck of the Titanio, and there iB no effort on the part of the film's producers to shroud the origin of the play in mystery; only the name of the vessS is different. It is to be wondered at that the Titanic theme was not used by dramatists before this It has every element of drama in it, from sheerest tragedy, to some glimpses of steady humour, and, over and above all, it is a magnificent tribute to the courage and heroism of the British race. The tragedy is treated with extreme delicacy, and there is only a moderate epeod of action throughout, that is in perfect keeping with the themo. The story opens with a group of passengers introduced to the audience in a novel manner; one has a glimpse into their private lives, their own little hope and fears, hates and loves, that seem eo very important to them. When the great ship crashes into an iceberg, her plates ripped from centre to stern, with water pouring in, and the knowledge bursts upon the people that they have one or two hoars to live, the atmosphere undergoes a complete change. There is » lot of humour in the sight of a pair of English gentlemen solemnly waiting at the ship's bar for service that they eventually have to render themselves; there is tragedy and terror afoot, but there is a lot of that English stolidity that is a very near approash to lion-hearted courage. These scenes, when everyone is just waiting for the Titanio to roll into the dopths of the Atlantio, are sufficiently moving to bring a lump to the throit of the most hardened picture-goer. And even that last great scene, when the band is playing "Nearer My God to Thee." and the Titanic's decks are almast awash, is in the most perfect taste. "Atlantio" must be definitely written down as a production that defies criticism, well staged, acted, and spoken with dignity, a plot that is edifying and which points a moral, in short a picture that comes as a most refreshing change after that plethora-of Manhattan comedy and drama presented lately. It is necessary to reserve. seats at The Bristol Piano Company.