ST. JAMES THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 72, 17 December 1938, Page 17

ST. JAMES THEATRE

* “Our Fighting Navy”

“Our Fighting Navy,” which opened at the St. James Theatre yesterday, is an illustration in story form of the work of the British Navy in protecting British interests overseas. Produced with the.cooperation of the Admiralty, the him gives an in sight into service conditions in a cruiser, dispatched to a South American republic when political upheaval threatens the safety of British residcius The best known among present-uuy writers of sei* stories, “Bartimus, chosen by Herbert Wilcox to produce a story suitable for a background to Lae filming ol the Navy’s work. It was a coincidence that when the stoiy vi.is written a similar set of circumstauets i that which had sprung from the imagination of "Bartimus" should arise in Spain. "Our Fighting Navy” tells a dramatic storv besides illustrating the etlicieucj and discipline which order the daily rouiiu of officers and men in a Britisli snip. The cruiser Audacious makes her second trip to the South American republic, am Captain Markham (Robert Douglas) and Lieutenant Armstrong (Richard Cromwell) renew their acquaintance witn Pamela, the daughter of the British sul, Brent (H. B. Warner). When revo t breaks out the President (Noah Beeij ), a jovial soul who has implicit trust m the lovalty of bis officials and people as long as he is left free to sample the delights of the table, is compelled to take refuge in the British Consulate. Meantime Pamela, who is under the escort ot Armstrong for sale conduct to her father, falls into the rebels’ hands, and is taken with Armstrong on board the battleship El Mirante, which the rebels have seized. The situation presents a problem to Captain Markham, whose love for Pamela (Hazel Terry) conflicts with his dutjwot safeguarding the consulate and evacuating the British residents without interfering in the political tangle. When the rebel leader delivers an ultimatum that failing the handing- over of the President he will turn his loin guns on the, consulate, the stage is set for Markham s exciting solution to the problem. . Without overdoing the heroics, tne n.m shows the part that must be played by the ship in a set of circumstances that might arise in any part of the world where the British flag flies. lj e . out " standing imipression is that of elnciency, the result of a training that leaves nothing to chance. Courage and quick think- ■ ing play their part as Markham makes his decision. Officers and men carry out his orders almost as soon as they ai'f made, and a unit of the most efficient fleet in the world goes into action. The film gains in interest from Lae acting of the principals. Markham s part is necessarily limited by his position in command of the ship, and he does not see as much of his heroine as in most films. Most of the honours in the first half go to the President of the republic, a part which Noah Beery fills to perfection. As the consul, H. B. Warner acts with fitting dignity and restraint, and Esnie Percy handles the part of the rebel commander in a way that strengthens the film.