“HELL DIVERS” FOR DUCHESS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 280, 26 November 1932, Page 18 (Supplement)

“HELL DIVERS” FOR DUCHESS

NEXT WEEK'S CHANGE. FILM OF AERIAL ADVENTURE. The thrills of naval aviation unroll themselves in a sensational panorama, as a background for poignant romance and a drama of heroism and sacrifice that has something of an epic quality to it in “Hell Divers,” showing at the Duchess Theatre next Wednesday and Thursday, with Wallace Beery and Clark Gable in the starring roles. Thrills pile upon thrills, and all of them genuine thrills, filmed during the actual manoeuvres of ships and ’planes at Panama. One sees the whole American Navy in action; firing deafening salvoes at a “sham battle” enemy; sending ’planes aloft from a giant aircraft-carrier to locate and attack a great Zeppelin. One sees the “Hell Divers,” sensational combat ’planes, hurl themselves downward two miles in less than half a minute, at their targets. Filmed with the co-operation of lhe navy, this picture gives a new idea of the navy in. the air. Like a silver thread, through lhe spectacles and excitement, runs a story of love, heroism and sacrifice. There is the love of the grizzled veteran, played by Beery, and the Panama dance hall-keeper, played by Marjorie Rambeau, that actually has something heroic in it. There is the sacrifice, and the struggle between the ideals of the old and the new navy—in itself a mighty element of drama. Many famous navy aviators appear, in addition to a huge and powerful cast. Beery, Gable and Conrad Nagel play the principal males roles splendidly; Miss Mambeau, Dorothy Jordan and Marie Prevost score in the chief feminine parts.

George Raft’s grandfather introduced the merry-go-round to America, and later prospected for gold in the early days of California. Raft was born in New York, and was one of tho first entertainers signed when the Publix Theatres circuit was formed.

John Barrymore, between scenes in “Rasputin’’ at the Mctro-Goldwyn-Maycr studios, loves to lounge around in his “favourite pair of pants.” The garment is aged, faded, abbreviated, and stained with the fishing trips it has weathered. He bought ’em, says Barrymore, in Alaska for two dollars, and prizes them above everything in his huge wardrobe. With John in this picture are his famous brother and sister, Ethel and Lionel, together with Ralph Morgan. Ted Alexander, Diana Wynyard, C. Henry Gordon and many others of note. Richard Boleslavsky is directing.

Neil Hamilton has been added to the cast of “Payment Deferred,” a picturisation of the Gilbert Miller stage success of the same name, now in production at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. Lothar Mendes is directing and the cast includes Charles Laughton, star of the original stage production, Verree Teasdale and Maureen O ’Sullivan.

Tallulah Bankhead and Robert Mont goinery will be co-starrod by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in “Tinfoil,” an original story for the screen by Mildred Cram. Harry Beaumont will direct the new film from an adaptation by Carey Wilson. The cast includes Hugh Herbert, Lawrence Grant, Henry Kolker, Greta Mayer and Lily Irene.