'NIGHT FLIGHT’

Evening Star, Issue 21742, 9 June 1934, Page 11

'NIGHT FLIGHT’

THRILLING AVIATION DRAMA Few better flying pictures have been shown in Dunedin than ‘ Night Flight,’ a thrilling dramatic picture that enthralled a large attendance at the Regent Theatre last night. The acting of a “ star ” cast was excellent, and the photography and general production of the picture splendidly carried out. The producers have “ played up ” the suspense and danger of night flying and provided an exciting variation on the familiar “ mails-must-go-through ” theme. The cast includes such players as John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore, Helen Hayes, Robert v Montgomery, Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, and William Gargan. Flying by night opens fresh avenues for drama in the sky undreamt till now, and only possible to record under the most modern conditions of camera work. The story is of the relentless j adherence to duty, ■ of the ruthless holding of a company’s pilots to their schedule. Across the Andes of South America, rip the coast, over 15,000 miles of uncharted country, their course lies, and, fog or no fog, reported storms or line weather as may he, the planes take off to the minute on pain of heavy fine. The amazing development of sound photography has probably never been more forcefully demonstrated than in the scenes of cyclone among snow-clad mountain peaks, the plane dipping and jerking against the hurricane. The suspense, the anxiety depicted on every face at the base station as the radio reports come through, and the awful predicament of plane 306 is realised, and the course of its destruction followed, is tellingly depicted. There is poignant sorrow and romance in the story of the young, wives’ waiting. The perfect acting of Helen Hayes gives stark reality to her suffering, and Myrna Loy is a pathetic figure.. The two Barrymores, as ever, are . technically perfect, as well as masters of their parts. Strength and weakness, the ruthless use of power, and a sudden gleam of sympathy, gives to John Barrymore’s part an impressive and arresting sense of the drama of which he never allows the audience to lose sight. Robert Montgomery is charming, showing' a strength and control that is new in him; and Clark Gable is excellently cast. All the parts are well balanced.

John Barrymore has most scope as the heartless and tyrannical chief of the airline who- is determined to establish night-flying despite the opposition of the elements and his own directors. What’s it all for?” bitterly asks one of the characters, as her husband leaves ou-his dangerous trip across the Andes, and she herself supplies the apt retort, “So that someone in Pans can get a postcard on Tuesday instead of Thursday.” And_ in order that that ■most desirable object may be attained two aviators have to lose their Jives. The supporting pictures are instructive and entertaining. Of particular interest is one giving views of Leningrad. An “oddity novelty entitled ‘Chili and Chills'’ was an amusing manner of showing travel and life in Mexico, finishing with a fight between a dog and a rattle snake, which was an amazing piece of photography.