RETRIBUTION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 672, 25 May 1929, Page 14

RETRIBUTION

EMDEN’S LAST BATTLE STIRRING MAJESTIC PICTURE

Caught near Cocos Islands, the Emden turned like a fox at bay and fought her last fight. A few miles away lay the H.M.A.S. Sydney, her decks cleaved for action and her guns pouring salvo after salvo into the doomed German cruiser. Over the

horizon steamed the Anzac convoy, safe from “the Flying Dutchman” of 1914. The hour of retribution had struck, and the Sydney’s battle-flag was lashed to her foremast. With gun after gun smashed and out of action, her fighting top destroyed, her decks torn, twisted, and burning, the Emden took the only course possible. She ran ashore. What a climax for a thrilling sea drama, sliced from history! The wonder is that “The Exploits of the Emden” has not been produced before. But now it is here, at the Majestic. The Auckland premiere of the film took place last evening, when a uniformly good supporting programme was included. There have been any number of films technically superior to “The Exploits of the Emden” —films better co-ordin-ated, better photographed, better mounted. But this great naval picture has something greater far than these. It has reality—stirring, gripping reality, given even fuller force bv the familiar, domestic nature of the subject. The adventures of the German cruiser Emden form a thrilling page in the chronicle of the Great War at sea. To a now maturing generation the story lives in personal memory, but younger folk know it only in the paragraphs of their text bopks. For that reason the film is of special value, depicting as it does the circumstances of the first naval engagement fought by a colonial warship. Germans and Britons combined to make a success of “The Exploits of the Emden.” No unfair racial feeling has been allowed to creep in, for the Emden was a gallant foe and she ran a grim, tightening gauntlet with death at the end of the line. Before the Sydney’s heavier shells crashed home, the Emden was a grave menace to colonial shipping, though captured Britons were always treated fairly. A German cruiser approximately the same as the Emden was used in the earlier scenes, while the Sydney herself was photographed during manoeuvres. Men who took part in the engagement advised and actively assisted the film people. Thus the completed picture bears the hall-mark of truth. One follows the adventures of the “free lance” enemy cruiser from the time she sets out on her cruise of destruction to the moment when her flag is burned on her ruined decks, to save it from falling into British hands. One lives with the men of the Sydney in the excitement o£ the final chase, through the din of the action, and to the final triumph. “The Exploits of the Emden” is a picture worth seeing, remembering, and seeing again. It is dramatic, vital, and scrupulously unbiased. Above all, it is real. The addition to the Majestic programme of “Troublesome Wives.” a. British comedy production starring Mabel Poulton and Eric Branaby Williams, enables the Majestic to claim one of the most generous programmes it has offered this year. “Troublesome Wives” is an exciting story of aviation thrills and domestic misunderstandings, done in a typically British wav, with a light, yet genuine, touch. Mabel Poulton scores another complete success, and her leading man acts excellently Then there is an up-to-date issue ot the Majestic news, without which no programme at the big Fuller-Hayward house would be complete. Eve’s fashion review is another feature of ‘ its kind. . _ A really funny Mermaid comedy, “Plumb Dumb,” is seen early in the evening, and the orchestra, under the direction of Mr. J. Whiteford Waugh, offers an unusually good musical program m e. SUBURBAN THEATRES At the Prince Edward Theatre, the pictures axe to be “Q Ships” and “Synthetic Sin” (Colleen Moore). An excellent vaudeville programme will be given by the World’s Entertainers. The Grey Lynn Cinema is showing “Captain Lash” (Victor McLaglen) and “Toni” (Jack Buchanan). At the Parish Hall, Devonport, the pictures are to be “Naughty Baby” (Alice White and Jack Mulhall) and “Man, Woman and Wife” (Pauline Stark and Norman Kerry); also a “Collegians” picture. At the Foresters’ Hall, Birkenhead, the films are “Blue Skies” (Helen Twelvetrees) and a “Collegians” episode. Dancing will be enjoyed from 10 p.m. to midnight. CHARITY ENTERTAINMENT, JUNE 3 A grand charity entertainment in aid of Sister Esther’s Winter Appeal has been arranged by Miss Aileen Beresford and will be held in the Lewis Eady Hall on June 3. A matinee for children will be given in the afternoon of that day. MUNICIPAL BAND CONCERT The Municipal Band will present a programme devoted to the works of Sullivan and Verdi in the Town Hall on Saturday evening next. Brilliant band numbers will be culled from many favourite operas. Mrs. Daisy Basham and Mr. Karl Atkinson will contribute vocal items. PONSONBY DRILL HALL DANCE There will be held this evening the second of a series of weekly dances that have been arranged by the 15th North Auckland Regiment to be held in the Ponsonby Drill Hall. The object is to raise funds for the purchase of colours. Tlie Symphony Seven Orchestra will play.