NEW REGENT'S CHANGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 388, 23 June 1928, Page 15

NEW REGENT'S CHANGE

ALL-BRITISH PROGRAMME Regent patrons were treated last evening to a double bill. It might very well be termed an all-British programme. The principal offering was “The Flight Commander.” featuring Sir Alan Cobham, the famous English aviator. Next in favour was “Doomsday,” by Warwick Deeping, a popular British writer of fiction, whose “Sorrell and Son” was such a success both in book form and on the screen. Florence Vidor was the heroine of “Doomsday.” “The Flight Commander” emphasises a healthy British note—British supremacy in the air. At last it would appear that our own people are taking that unique advantage which the screen certainly offers for propaganda. Here is a British film, preaching a British moral, maintaining the British prestige. It may not possess the technical distinction of an American production, but it will at least have great appeal for millions throughout the world who recognise the Union Jack and are not quite so familiar with the Stars and Stripes of Uncle Sam. The lot of the hero, quite naturally, falls to Sir Alan Cobham, who, by his dexterity in the air, is enabled to rescue a small British colony in China from murder and worse. The little group is seen in the Concession, praying for the arrival of the Jack Tars by airplane, who arrive in the nick oi time and save the lives of their fellowcountrymen. The villain of the piece is a Soviet spy. There is no mistaking him. He is always at the elbow of the Chinese commander, whispering, ever whispering, and scheming for the destruction of the hated Britisher. Unfortunately the control of the wireless office was in the hands of the Russian, and it was not until an English officer, single-handed and unarmed. had walked through the mystified Chinese and shot the Soviet spy that Cobham received his call from the beseiged garrison. There are all the elements of a good old melodrama in “The Flight Commander.” Particularly interesting ar* the views of the squadron of airplane-s in flight. Sir Alan Cobham does some excellent stunting, and appears consistently throughout the picture, which

opens in England and closes in China. “Doomsday” is the story of a girl who. tiring of domesticity, finds that she cannot face eomparativ poverty with the lover of her heart, and decides to marry the rich banker of the neighbourhood. The background is in woodland England, delightfully depicted by the camera man. Florence ! Vidor’s portrayal of the heroine is i sympathetic in the extreme. ! There is a good supporting proj gramme, led by the Regent Orchestra, j under the command of Mr. Arthur [Frost. _