The Bioscope (Oct-Dec 1931)

November 11, 1931 THE BIOSCOPE 3 EVENING STANDARD “ Splinters in the Navy ” is an hilarious musicalcomedy-concert party mainly notable for the extraordinary naval career which Mr. Sydney Howard leads as Able Seaman Joe Crabbs. The film, indeed, is one long lark from beginning to end. EVENING NEWS I like it because it is English and because its humour is rough and ready. DAILY FILM RENTER Sydney Howard in happy role and great form in a comedy of the lower decks, which also features the leads and ensemble of the famous “ Splinters ” company. A thoroughly whole-hearted piece of fun, certain of public approval. THE CINEMA It is to the credit of Walter Forde that patrons will probably laugh themselves hoarse over the antics of Sydney Howard and Alf. Goddard in this sequence. Designed and produced with an eye to the enjoyment of the masses, exhibitors need have no qualms as to its box-office value. SUNDAY REFEREE “ Splinters in the Navy ” does not pretend to be anything else but “ nautical nonsense.” At the same time it represents a new and welcome advance in our methods of putting the Services on the screen. SUNDAY GRAPHIC In “ Splinters in the Navy ” Sydney Howard again wears the uniform that first brought him fame. Wildly funny burlesque. The “ Splinters ” concert party sings and dances to very catchy tunes. DAILY MAIL I think the boxing match is one of the most hilarious things I have ever seen in films. It made me roar with laughter more heartily than I did even at the boxing match in “ City Lights.” It proves once again that Sydney Howard is a past master of pantomime. SUNDAY DISPATCH Sydney Howard, this country’s most considerable gift to the ranks of talkie comedians, stars in this film. As a comedian he obviously knows what sailors are. The boxing match at the end, with Howard punching Alf. Goddard round the ring is excellent. The New Victoria is a large cinema, but it should be taxed to the utmost. NEWS OF THE WORLD Those who prefer to see the Navy in its lighter moments must go to the New Victoria. Sydney Howard has most of the work to do in this show and he carries it through triumphantly to his final conquest of the Navy’s boxing champion. This is a really glorious nonsense boxing match, in which Howard wdns by unorthodox methods. SUNDAY PICTORIAL “ Splinters in the Navy ” is a riot. It presents Sydney Howard as no ordinary seaman in a brilliant burlesque culminating in a boxing match for which, at Olympia, ringside seats would be priceless and their occupants helpless. I cannot find it in my heart to award to this film anything other than loud laughter. For the good of British talking pictures, Sydney Howard should at once be developed as a star, with stories, direction and exploitation befitting his importance. DAILY TELEGRAPH This naval extravaganza features Sydney Howard, who made a hit in the original, and is now rivalling Gordon Harker as a screen droll. Mr. Howard’s comic genius lies in the direction of what might be called “ lead-swinging.” “ Splinters in the Navy ” does not pretend to be more than popular entertainment, but in that respect it is a grand slam of humorous invention. DAILY EXPRESS Sydney Howard has never done a better job than in “ Splinters in the Navy.” To me the picture was a heaven-sent gift to the laughter-gland.