CIVIC THEATRE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19972, 5 July 1930, Page 9

CIVIC THEATRE.

A WARTIME FILM. A war-time picture, with a soldiers' • eoncert party as its background, is shown at the Civic Theatre this week. The film, s Bri- | tish one, blends both" comedy and drama in a production wh.'.re" a vaudeville programme j of some merit is screened. "Splinters," the title of tho film, is the name of tho concert party organised with a view to filling in the leisure hours of the men behind the lino. "The organiser succeeds in producing a vaudeville company . from among the soldiers. A number of good turns are presented, tho best of which are the impersonations of -women dancers by a male chorus. In the midst of a concert an enemy raid disturbs the company, and the men dash out into the fight to repel the attack. The acting of the leading characters is of a high order. Two inebriates' provide a few minutes of hilarity. The songs and choruses are entertaining, and the action is' transferred to warfare of a realistio type. Tho picture is ono which affords a typical example of the necessity for relieving the tension of. the grim task of. the soldiers. It is true to life,; and members, of. tjie audience, are not infrequently brought, Suddenly ito the conclusion that here might -be a genuine reproduction of the - difficulties and trials that faced the army commanders When it was found that something to cheer up the men was essential. : , v The supporting films are worth seeing, and, comprise a number of short productions, and the well-known "Mickey the Mouse'''cartoon; Owing to -so many - visitors being. nnable to gain .admission last night, and the fact that, they are returning to-night, has prompted the management to hold a special matinee this morning at 10.45.