“THE LION HAS WINGS”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 November 1939, Page 9

“THE LION HAS WINGS”

ENGLAND’S ORGANISATION. This important Alexander Korda picture which was recently referred to in a Daventry News Broadcast, has been despatched by Air Mail to New Zealand, according to a cable advice received by Mr Bernard Allen, Manager of the local branch of United Artists, and is exnected in Wellington shortly. This topical film will be of particular interest to all New Zealanders and particularly to the members of the Air Force in New Zealand. It was put. into production immediately the war started, with Ihe co-operation of the Royal Air Force and Army Headquarters in England. Incidentally it shows England's organisation for air defence, and extremely interesting sequences of fighting and bombing planes in action. Merle Oberon, Ralph Richardson, and many other prominent British actors are in the cast.

THE “HAPPY ENDING” UNSETTLED QUESTION. For or against "happy” endings—the battle is on again in Hollywood. Happy endings at any cost, of course, is the issue—even at a cost of destroying the film’s sense. Directors are fighting that fear for

the right to end each picture as it should end. whether happily or not. So far the score stands at one win, one loss and one draw.

The draw was "Dark Victory." After some outspoken comment, the silly fade-out, designed to deaden the film s tragedy, was withdrawn before the picture was shown in London —a victory' in London at least. The win—to date —is "Lady of the Tropics.” After a “sneak" preview, apparently many "preview cards” begged that Hedy Lamarr should be allowed to live.

The loss is the. new Ginger Rogers film. “Fifth Avenue Girl. Diicctoi La Cava in this case yielded to the protests, registered on the preview cards, against his “unconventional ending.