PICTURE THEATRES.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20898, 4 July 1933, Page 15

PICTURE THEATRES.

THE CIVIC. " THE FLAG LIEUTENANT.'* "The Flag Lieutenant," which began on Saturday to a full house at the Civic Theatre, is a British picture o£ such outstanding merit that before its season is closed many of those who saw its first screening in Christchurch will have seen it a second time. There is exciting adventure and the finest romance with life in the navy as its setting, and all through the picture duty nobly done is the theme, in war or in peace. The devotion to duty and faithfulness to superior officers, which are notable in the British Navy, give the story a particular attraction, its peak is reached when one oi<icer gives the glory of his own heroic deed to his fellow, who has spent his whole life striving after an opportunity to distinguish himself. The co-operation of the Admiralty has given the picture a true setting and provided many glimpses of lite in the navy. The story mainly concerns Dickie Lascelles, the happy-go-lucky flag lieutenant, who is in love with the admiral's daughter—Anna Neagle. His ever care-free attitude towards everything has made him almost the joke of the navy. Trouble breaks out with the natives in a Mediterranean town, and the admiral dispatches a destroyer. Dickie Lascelles's greatest friend, the major of marines—Ptere Gawthorne — is dispatched in charge of the destroyer. Eventually Dickie persuades the admiral to send him, the flag lieutenant, with the major as interpreter. The naval detachment is besieged in a fort and the major wounded in an heroic attempt to reach the fleet. Dickie dresses in the garments and carries the plan through successfully, but he gives the major the credit for the heroic deed in a dispatch to the officer-in-command. Back on the flagship after the skirmish rumours go about that Dickie had hidden from danger in an embrasure during the time he was actually out getting the message through. For the sake of his friends he does not reveal the fact. Perhaps the greatest moment of the storv is reached when he refuses to clear himself at the expense of his friend, and the admiral s daughter stands by him in his disgrace. The fine cast includes Henry Ed wards (as Dickie), Anna Neagle, Ptere Gawthorne, Michael Hogan, and O. B. Clarence. supporting programme reaches a high standard.

Theatre Royal—"Luxury Liner," 2.30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Regent Theatre —"Hell Below," 2.30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Plaza Theatre—"No Man of Her Own," 11 a.m., 2.30 p.m., and 8 p.m. Crystal Palace Theatre —"Harmony Row," 12, 2.30 p.m., and 8 p.m. Everybody's Theatre —"As You Desire Me," 12, 2.30 p.m., and 8 p.m. Liberty Theatre —"Silver Dollar" and "Three on a Match," 2.15 p.m. and 7.45 p.m. Majestic Theatre—"The Conquerors, 12, 2.30 p.m., and 8 p.m. Grand Theatre—"The Conquering Horde," continuously from 11 a.m.