‘THE FLEET'S IN’

Evening Star, Issue 20117, 6 March 1929, Page 6

‘THE FLEET'S IN’

CLARA BOW SCORES AGAIN ‘The Fleet’s In,’ a delightful comedy of sailormen and their loves, will bo an outstanding attraction at the Empire Theatre on Friday. This is Clara Bow’s latest starring vehicle, and her performance is considered to be the' best of her career. Malcolm St. Clair, the director, spent several days at San P.edro, port of Los Angeles, and at San Francisco studying the ways of sailors of the United States battle fleet and how they conduct themselves when away from their ships. For this reason the majority of the scenes in the picture tfill interest ex-service men beyond their appeal as entertainment/ for they will recall memories of those all 100 infrequent hours on shore, away from the discipline of naval training. “ I found that the most popular form of entertainment for railors was dancing. The dancing ability of a sailor is traditional, beginning from the time of the ‘ hornpipe.’ That dance has undergone a transition in modern times, and the sailors are just as adept at all the modern dances as anyone else. I also found that in nearly every sea coast city dance halls flourish for the entertainment of sailors on shore leave. I have all tiiese things in Miss Bow’s picture, and I believe we have reproduced these important incidents in the lives of our sailormen with realistic atmosphere,” said St. Clair. Miss Bow’s role in her now picture is that of a dance hall hostess. It is her duty to encourage the sailors to buy as many dance tickets as possible. The role gives her opportunity to give vent to her characteristic mannerisms which have brought her to the highest pinnacle of screen fame. James Hall and Jack Oakie have the leading parts opposite the star. They arc the chief figures of an intense rivalry swirling about the red-headed hostess, and the subsequent climax i exciting to behold. In addition to an exceptionally line picture programme the special engagement of Kamo, the celebrated Jianjomandolinist, should please Empire patrons immensely.

There ,had been a bathing accident at Sloshville. A woman managed to get out of her depth and was in peril of drowning. Happily some boatmen were at hand, and they put off and rescued her just as she was' on the point of going down for the. third time. Her husband was waiting anxiously on the shore as the little band of " heroes laid the worn am on the beach. “ Better apply artificial respiration,” decided one of them. “No! Most certainly not!” shrieked the husband. “She’s all I have, and .1. want the real thing!”