“HELL DIVERS.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 494, 1 July 1932, Page 3

“HELL DIVERS.”

•Spectacular Air Drama at Regent To-morrow. “ Lady With a Past,” starring Constance Bennett, heads the excellent programme at the Regent Theatre. Thrills aplenty are promised in “ Hell Divers,” the sensational and spectacular air drama which will head the new bill at the Regent Theatre to-morrow. Wallace Beery, remembered for his excellent performances in “ Min and Bill ” and “The Champ.” is co-starred in this romance of aviation in the American navy with Clark Gable, who has appeared in several of this year’s greatest successes. “Hell Divers” was made with the full co-operation of the United States Navy at the Panama manoeuvres, aboard the aircraft-carrier Saratoga, at the North Island aviation base and in the Caribbean Sea. For the first time in the history of the screen, the new “Hell Diver” ’planes, which are capable of diving straight down—two miles in less than thirty seconds—are seen in action. Among the many thrilling scenes in this M.G.M. production are the landing of a giant Zeppelin on the deck of the Saratoga, and the passing of the huge warships through the locks of the Panama Canal with less than a foot to spare. In addition, hundreds of aeroplanes perform sensational battle formations and give exhibitions of stunt flying. The story deals with the rivalry between Wallace Beery, as a navy veteran, and Clark G»ble, a new type of sailor, and typifies the conflict between old and new ideas in naval operations. The central romance is between Beery and Marjorie Rambeau, as a keeper of a Panama resort, who has waited years for “her man.” In the climax. Beery gives his life in rescuing his rival, in line of duty, carrying on the true spirit of the navy. Among the dramatc highlights are ; the estrangement of Gable and his ! sweetheart through Beery’s practical joke, and the founding of the enmitv I between them: the sensational fight in I the Panama resort; the “breaking” of Beery at the court-martial; the sensational crash during a night flight; the wreck of an observation ’plane, and Beery’s thrilling rescue flight, terminating with the spectacular “crack-up” on the deck of the aeroplane-carrier ship; also the Impressive funeral at sea, with ’planes in formation showing the empty space of the aviator who had gone.