Crossing The Line (1922)

Bizarre ceremony, on the Equator. Full titles read: “CROSSING THE LINE - King Neptune and his consort hold their Court on HMS Hood and carry out traditional ceremony. Altogether 1200 Officers and Men were initiated.“ L/S’s of Officers in fancy dress walking on the deck of the Hood. One Officer appears to be dressed as Neptune, he is holding a large fork. Intertitle reads: “Rear Admiral Sir W. Cowan Commanding the Squadron having previously crossed the Line - is invested with ’Order of the old Sea Dog“ in accordance with ancient custom.“ L/S of Sir W. Cowan (British survivor of the Fashoda incident) kneeling before Neptune and large woman (possibly Mrs Neptune !), who places something around his neck. L/S of Cowan standing up and putting his hat on, other members of the ceremony cheer and clap. C/U of Cowan with large woman. Humorous M/S of man with false beard holding a very large stethoscope to a crewman’s chest, he then starts hitting the poor man with a mallet! The crewman is then subjecte