TIDAL WAVE OF MERRIMENT

Evening Star, Issue 21073, 9 April 1932, Page 10

TIDAL WAVE OF MERRIMENT

' SPLINTERS IN NAVY' COMING When brighter days commence again one will naturally expect something like the nautical knock-about comedy, 1 Splinters in the Navy,’ starring the whimsical Sydney Howard aivd tho next attraction for the Empire Theatre to be in the very front rank. _ < Splinters in the Navy ’ is a sheer lov because its humour is crisp, clean, fast, and furious, and it is notable because it marks a definite change in the attitude of British officialdom towards a fast-growing and greatly important industry. The picture was made with the full co-operation of tho British Navv, and the “ sets ” are not “ sets ” in the strictest sense, but the real, dyed-in-the-wool thing. British Dominions Films secured the “ loan ” of a British man-o’-war ship and three-parts of the company’s hilarious comedy was made on the quarterdeck and in the mess room. Svdney Howard, remembered for his priceless" etchings in 1 Splinters ’ and ‘ French Leave,’ plays the part of A.B. Joe Crabbs, who gets the bright idea of holding a splinters show on the quarter-deck in honour of the engagement of the Admiral. Howard also figures in a boxing bout with the navy’s champion, and this is probably one of the choicest morsels of comedy that has over been filmed. Hal. Jones, Beg Stone, the reputed “ world's greatest female impersonator,” and the famous ‘Splinters’ beauty ballet, figure strongly in a bright, gay, colourful, and tuneful picture.