ROMANTIC STORY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 January 1940, Page 10

ROMANTIC STORY

BY RADIO DIRECTOR. Tragedy in the air—Romance in London—Drama in the Sahara —Desert March —Final flight. Given those ingredients, what kind of a story would Vai Gielgud, the famous radio director, make of them? Everyone who has heard his radio dramas will have a vivid impression of what a thriller Mr Gielgud would put on the air. But besides being a radio dramatist, Mr Gielgud is also a novel--ist of distinction, as anyone knows who has read “Murder at Broadcasting House,’ ’ “Announcer’s Holiday." and "Beyond Dover.” “Africa Flight” is the story in which Mr Gielgud has mingled those specified elements of excitement and romance. The chief personality of the story is Rupert Larrimore, as fearless a pilot as ever took up a machine. He has had a vivid career, which reaches a painful climax in a sesnational trial in which he is accused of having caused the death of another pilot. With so much limelight focussed upon him Larrimore is considered by Sir George Manson to be the best man to undertake a spectacular flight in “Star of the East,” a magnificent new machine built by Sir George’s firm. Loathing the thought that he is being engaged for his publicity value, and yet anxious for work to distract him from the thought of that accidental killing, Larrimore takes on the job. But his temper is intractable: he is arrogant and rude almost beyond bearing. Consequently when pretty Carol Manson persuades her doting father to allow her to be one of the party of eight for the great flight, Larrimore is anything but pleased, and her reception by him is scarcely cordial. And there are in the party others for whom Larrimore has even less liking. So loaded, "Star of the East” leaves for Africa. When over the Sahara — But to reveal more would be to impair the enjoyment of this remarkably fine story. It begins in the “Wairarapa TimesAge" tomorrow.