The U. S. Navy, ably assisted by Mr. James Cagney, is the protagonist of “Here Comes the Navy,” this latest release from the Warner Brothers studio. During its hour-and-a-half of unreeling you are given a thorough exposition on life aboard one of our floating arsenals, including a side trip to the admiral’s quarters and an inside look into other usually veiled phases of naval lore.
More important perhaps than the theme of this rather exciting and colorful film is the fact that for once Mr. Cagney confines his first socking proclivities to the physiognomies of males and allows his female admirers to escape unmarred. In story “Here Comes the Navy” concerns Chesty (Cagney), an iron worker who joins the navy for no other reason than to even scores with Biff (Pat O’Brien) who is a petty officer. The revenge that Chesty seeks was inspired by Biff’s prowess with a lady who prefers the officer to the steel worker.
Naturally the humorous situations occur when Chesty, having joined the navy, comes under the direction of the superior ranking Biff. Their continuous quarreling, which brings forth some of the finest movie scraps I’ve seen in a long time, adds greatly to the enjoyment of the picture. Warner Brothers have cast Cagney in a perfect role and the scrappy Irishman has made the most of his part. Pat O’Brien as the foil for the Cagney lead also turns in a fine performance. He is a comedian of rare talents and is the possessor of an expressive and laugh provoking face.
“Here Comes the Navy” cannot be listed among the truly outstanding pictures of the month but it is good entertainment, amusing and pleasant.
WAR NEWS REELS
Just about twenty years ago the first flames of the World War flicked forth in Europe, and to commemorate this event the news reel companies have gathered together all their old clips concerning the martial days, snipped off the irrelevent scenes and labelled the remainder “World War Anniversary.” This picture may be seen at the Pathe News Reel Embassy Theatre and it is very much worthwhile. Starting with shots of Franz Joseph, Kaiser Wilhelm, Czar Nicholas and other reigning heads the film proceeds to trace briefly some of the outstanding movements in the conflict that engulfed the world. You are also shown the signing of peace, the Sinn Fein and Bolshevist uprisings and in addition there have been added bits of the recent trouble in China and the West.
CINEMA NOTES
In mid-August the Paramount Theatre will change its present policy of a new picture every Friday. Instead, the gilded house will devote itself to super-films, the type that usually run in the two-a-day theatres. . . .
“Cavalcade,” the Fox Film that won side acclaim when it first appeared over a year ago, will be brought into the Criterion for a special re-run. . . .
“Min and Bill” with Wallace Beery and Marie Dressler, which is now playing at the Capitol, is a revival showing of the famous picture which did so much to put Miss Dressler back on top of the cinema heap. Miss Dressler at this writing is seriously ill, suffering from cancer and is not expected to survive.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
