REGENT THEATRE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 223, 20 August 1937, Page 3

REGENT THEATRE.

“THE LOST HORIZON.”

One of the most important screen events of the year takes place with the presentation of Frank Capras supreme directorial effort, “Lost Horizon,” screening at the Regent Theatre to-morrow. Starring Ronald Colnian, and featuring Edward Everett Horton, 11. D. Warner, Jane Wyatt, Margo, John Howard, Thomas Mitchell, Isabel Jewell and Sttni Jaffe, the picture is an adaptation by Robert Riskin of James Hilton’s celebrated novel of the same name. It is the most elaborate production ever launched by Columbia or directed by Capra; many were of tho opinion that the job of transferring Hilton’s sensational novel to the screen would be no simple one, even for so capable a .man as Capra. Briefly, the story of “Lost Horizon” concerns five persons who are kidnapped iij an aeroplane in China, and flown deep into the heart of Forbidden Tibet. Picked up by a caravan headed by a mystic and elderly Chinese, they are escorted to what is perhaps tile most unusual place on the face of the earth—the lamasery of Shan-gri-La. Here, closeted securely by mountains impenetrable to tho uninitiated, is a setting of indescribable beauty », and serenity, peopled by - members of tile strangest cult of modern times. Romance and adventure fall to tho bewildered kidnapped victims, and soon all but." one surrender to the utter contentment and rare loveliness that is Shangri-La. . The personalities involved in the production of “Ixrst Horizon” give this picture a distinguished handicap. On the technical side, there are Frank Capra and Robert Riskin,.; director and writer of such prizewinning films as “Mr Deeds -Goes to Town,” “It Happened One Night” aiid “Lady for a Day. ’ Joseph Walker, noted photographer of Capra’s greatest successes; Harrison Forman, renowned American explorer and author, acted as adviser on the Tibetan phases of the film; and Dimitri Tomkin, internationally, known composer, who wrote the musical score. First among the actors, of course, is Ronald Column; again in “Lost Horizon” the English actor enacts a role of sweeping adventure. Heading the supporting cast is "Edward Everett Horton, a star in his own right, whose eccentric comedy characters have made him a favourite of millions. 11. D. Warner, veteran star, was last seen prominently in “MiDeeds Goes to Town.” Jane' Wyatt portrays the leading feminine lead opposite Colman. Sam Jaffe won fame in the American stage hit of “Grand Hotel,” and now plays the role of tho High Lama in “Lost Horizon.” Margo .enacted the same role, in both the stage and screen versions of “Winterset.” Margo has been in three other films, “Robin Hood of El Dorado,” “Rhumba” and “Crime Without Passion.”