JACK TARS AT SEA

Evening Star, Issue 21077, 14 April 1932, Page 7

JACK TARS AT SEA

BRITISH COMEDY FOR EMPIRE A delightful absurdity, with a skilful blending of uproarious mirth, peeps of the fife of Jack afloat and ashore, attractive ballets and songs by the Splinters troupe of “girls," an interlude with a definite appeal to all sailorfolk in a pictorial musical gem, ‘ The Call of the Sea,’ and a triangular boxing championship that for ludicrousness is indescribable—such are some of the outstanding memories of ‘ Splinters m the Navy,’ the British comedy film to be screened to-morrow at the Empire Theatre. The story is woven round T he adventures of two naval ratings who conceive the idea of having a “free-and-easy ” to celebrate the announcement of their admiral’s engagement. Crabb and Wivvins are a deliciously eccentric pair, the former the unconscious humorist, and the latter the alleged brains of the duo. From the time they tumble sleepily from their hammocks on the lower deck till the astonishing las.. round in the ring, they are laughable naval simpletons, acting so naturally, drunk or sober, that they stm emotions deeper than merriment in the hearts of the audience. The letter they write to the admiral, and the manner of its reception; the way in which Crabb runs counter to Spike Higgins, heavy-weight champion of the fleet, in an affair of the heart, temporary, as is expected of the navy; the goat that became the ship’s mascot; how the A.B. s dancing partners were smuggled aboard and slipped in with the admiral s guests, all help in the merriment which centres round the woebeyone Crabb, so ably characterised by Sydney Howard. As for the Splinters ballet, well, there it is, as bright and unperturbed as of yore, except when Crabb and. Wivvins get mixed up with it. The picture makes excellent comedy, and. further, presents some splendid naval and sailing ship settings.