SAGA OF THE AIR

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32409, 20 March 1944, Page 5

SAGA OF THE AIR

“WINGS AND THE WOMAN” PROGRAMME AT REGENT TWO GREAT AERIAL PIONEERS The monumental saga of two great aerial pioneers whose achievements apart and together provide a story stranger and more romantic than fiction, “Wings and the Woman,” which will show at the Regent Theatre on Tuesday and Wednesday, has Anna Neagle and Robert Newton as a dazzling new star combination in the world’s motion picture screen. Daring to bring the real story of Amy Johnson and Jim Mollison to the screen with all the triumph that marked their success, the romance that attended their first meeting and the drama that ended their marriage, the new film is a vivid disclosure of the private lives of two public idols. Blending thrilling spectacle with the fascinating personal study of two people whose achievements stirred and thrilled the whole world, the new feature moves at a rapid speed against realistic backgrounds. The story is of a girl from Yorkshire, rebellious at school, restless at her work, with her head and heart forever winging their way across the skies to the distant lands that lay beyond Britain. Everybody acclaimed “Johnnie” after her epochal flight from England, to Australia. . The applause A had scarcely abated , ; .when a young man leaped into the limelight by breaking her record. The whole world linked their names, but-,few guessed they were to be partners in a union courageous and astounding as their great flights. The meeting which led to their romance, the events; that brought matrimonial disaster and the intense drama as each sought rehabilitation at the time of their country’s greatest need, are amongst the highlights leading to the suspenseful thrill-laden conclusion. Amy’s crash into the sea while on patriotic duty for her country made her a national heroine and tragic figure of world-wide significance. Jim Mollison survives and carries on with British air service. Giving Anna Neagle a superb opportunity to display her talents as the immortal Amy Johnson, and presenting Robert Newton as the humorous, captivating and dare-devil 'Mollison, “Wings and the Woman” now presents two favourite artists in roles attuned to their highly-favoured histrionic ability. The historic detail of the film is entirely authentic and was written by Lord Castlerosse. Miles Malleson contributed the scenorio and screen play and Edward Chapman, Joan Kemp Welch and Nora Swinboume portray the principal supporting roles.

FINALLY TO-NIGHT “ROAD TO. MOROCCO” “ Roadi Toi Morocco” will show finally to-night at the Regent Theatre.