“ATLANTIC”

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 965, 7 May 1930, Page 15

“ATLANTIC”

FINE FILM FOR CIVIC Everybody who sympathises with the struggle pf British talkies for a place in the sun (and who does not?) should, see “Atlantic," the all-British bilingual talkie, made and recorded at Elstree, London, which will be exhibited at the Civic Theatre from next Saturday. From the play, “The Berg," by Ernest Raymond, it has a sound beginning, and it is acted by a company of splendid Home artists, including Miss Ellaline Terris (Mrs. Seymour Hicks). Franklyn Dyall, John Longden, Donald Calthorp, Monty Banks. John Stuart, Madeleine Carroll and Joan Barry, to name but a few. There is really little use in keeping from the knowledge of the great theatre-going public the fact that “Atlantic” is based on the wreck of the Titanic, and there is made no effort on the part of The film's producers to shroud the origin of the play in mystery; only the name of the vessel is different. It is to be wondered at that the Titanic theme was not used by dramatists before this. It has every element of drama in it, from sheerest tragedy to some glimpses of steady humour, and. over and above all, it is a magnificent tribute to the courage and heroism of the British race. It is a matter for self-congratula-tion that it has been an English company which has turned out this sterling production. The tragedy is treated with extreme delicacy, and there is only a moderate speed of action throughout, that is in perfect keeping with the theme. Sammy Lee, Metro-Gold wy n - Mayer’s director of dancing ensembles, is going to Hawaii for a vacation upon completion of “Chasing Rainbows." for which he is staging a group of dazzling spectacles. “He's going to take some of his chorus girls and teach the natives the observed