THRILLS IN AFRICA

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 136, 1 February 1932, Page 5

THRILLS IN AFRICA

EXPLOITS OF TRADER HORN The amazing exploits and adventures qf the late Alfred Aloysius Horn, that remarkable identity known the world over as "Trader Horn," are embraced on a special talkie production filmed " over a period of two years by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in the most primitive centres of the African jungles. Mr. Roy G. Nelson, director of exploitation for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in Australia and New Zealand, who arrived in Rotorua last week, announced that the picture will be seen very soon at the Majestie Theatre. At present "Trader Horn" is having a phenomenal success at the Strand Theatre, Hamilton. "We have not sought fo present the impossible," said Mr. Nelson. "We have produced a picture filmed entirely in Africa, showing African life as it really is. The thrills presented are the greatest of all — the thrills of real life. "Thousands of readers in New Zealand have been enthralled by Trader Horn's aceounts of his adventures in the Dark Gontinent, and when one reads extracts from the diary kept by the producer (W. S. Van Dylce) during the two years occupied in filming the picture, one realises that it was not the mere fringe of the African wilds that was visited by him and ^he company, with their retinue of photographers and native porters. They aetually traversed the hinterland of the Ivory Coast. assailed the fortresses of nature and witnessed the unending struggle of the native tribes for supremacy over the beasts of the jungle. "Complete sound equipment was carried by the company throughout the journey, with the result that, for the first time, a picture has been produced in which the sounds of the jungle were not added in a studio subsequqnt to the filming of the picture. Commended By Aloysius "One of the first to view the production when the company returned to America was . the lqte Aloysius Horn, and commendation from such a criti.c is surely axnple recommendation for the production. 'Trader Horn,' however, is not only a valuable scenic and animal production, for the producer has adhered closely to the plot of Horn's book, maintaining an excellent story interest and providing it with an element of considerable educational value. "Naturally, every detail had to receive close attention in the filming of such a picture, and "the producer experienced not a little diffieulty in procuring actors to undertake the hazardous journey. With the exception of Harry Carey, Edwina Booth, Olive Gpldin and Duncan Renaldo, the cast is entirely impromptu, and, for that reason, utteriy true to life. "The natives shown in the sequepcqs of the pjcture, are the natives whom the producer aetually encountered in the jungle villages, and, ip his diary, Mr. Van Dyke records how he used copper wire and salt to brihe the natives t.O participate in the work. Close up views of the village belles reveal that the wire was utilised extensively as ear-rings." The Director of Education, Mr. Strong, has recommended "Trader Horn" as first class entertainment fop school children, and every parent should see it also.