"SUBMARINE D-l”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 26 November 1938, Page 6

"SUBMARINE D-l”

VIRILE. EXHILARATING STORY OF THE NAVY'S UNDERWATER SERVICE

“Submarine D-l” is one of those exhilarating film melodramas of the sea that uses one of the branches of the American Navy as a setting for a virile narrative, and which Warner Bros., always do well and with realistic effect. It reveals the activities of the U.S. submarine service during peace time, while building a story of the men of the service. This allows for some sensational developments, such as the sinking of the submarine D-l during

■ sinks to the bottom. The sequence i showing how the men escape from the i sunken vessel by means of a huge ; rescue air-chamber, which is lowered ■ over the side of a battleship down to a . point where it must contact with the . submarine, is dramatic and instructive. , The picture is excellently directed by : Lloyd Bacon, and was filmed at the ■ San Diego Naval Base. The story, i which well sustains its dramatic in- ; terest while retaining its atmosphere of

its initial testing, and the subsequent rescue by the latest and ipost interesting methods employed by the United States Navy. The glimpses of naval organisation are also fascinating. There are colourful scenes showing submarine routine, \ as well as the navy engaged in some exciting manoeuvres during which a submarine eludes a screen of destroyers and cruisers, and is seen torpedoing a battleship. Shortly after, the submarine is accidentally rammed and

naval alertness and initiative, was written by Commander Frank Wead, U.S.N.

The U.S. fleet appears carrying out most important manoeuvres, while in and through the more serious instructional part of the picture is woven the love romance of Wayne Morris and Doris Weston, which is interfered with by Chief Petty Officer Pat O’Brien, who also loves the girl, but the rivalry produces more hilarious comedy by Frank McHugh.