DE LUXE THEATRE.

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 131, 8 December 1928, Page 7

DE LUXE THEATRE.

There aro times when war pictures nail on an audience, usually content to forget all about the trying days of 1914-18, but the chict picture screened at the De Luxe Theatre last evening both amused and interested the largo number or people present. It was more than Httlii" that "The Battles of Coronet and Falkland Islands," the title of the 111m screened, should be the solo production of a British studio and that the wholo programmo should be likewise. The main liicture necessarily required careful handling, as well as the use of other ships and specially selected crows, as so many of those who tool; part in the actual cn-agements—ships and men—are not with us to retell their story. Tills being the case the selection of a cast and the choice of ships hud to be carefully considered, and it is quite apparent that this special tribute to great happenings has been paid by the directors. There are a few portions which some might term both tedious and unnecessary, such as preliminary "shots" in London between the leading characters, hut this merely leads up to the time when the ill-fated Montrose and Cood Hope, with Admiral Craddock in command, steam out from Coronel to meet their fate. The battle in which they are sunk by the German ileet, under Admiral von Spec, is sufficiently realistic to leave a Mm of tears in the eyes of the audience, a fitting tribute to the men who lost their lives thus* early in the war, and provided the cause for the Battle of Falkland at which they irero amply avenged. Tho Falkland Island battle is a thrilling episode in the picture, showing the ordcre'd sequence in which a naval engagement is carried out in these days of machino warfare. The entertainment Is a delightful change from the surfeit of drama and comedy, from which Wellington audiences are generally suffering, even though it does reawaken sad memories. Many historical characters appear during the screening, and each one is personated in a manner which does entire credit to player and producer, whilo real warships1 and real naval ratings fill in tlio background of the story told. A suitable prologue precedes the picture, the dancing being by pupils of Miss Eileen Wilson, and the vocal items by Mr. Thomas Woods, baritone. Other pictures on the programme are a nature study, "The Golden .Eagle." and "Homes of Our King." the latter a film particularly suitable at this time when there is so much national anxiety in regard to the King's illness. The musical side of the programme Included topical items by the Orchestra de Luxe and selections on tlio Wurlitzer Organ, by Mr. Emanuel Aarous. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer announce the coming to Wellington of the production, "The Trail of '08." which is declared by noted critics to be one of the greatest pictures the industry has known. It is reported to have cost a number of millions to construct, and is said to bo a worthy successor In magnitude and thrills to "Ben Hur." The cast is the largest ever assembled (inclusivo of "Ben Hur") for a single motion picture. It will have a two weeks' run at the Do Luxe Theatre In a few weeks' time.