RAILWAY DRAMA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 130, 3 June 1937, Page 5

RAILWAY DRAMA.

FILM OF C.P.R. BUILDING. Based on "The Great Divide. - ' written !by Allan Sullivan, the English film. "The I Great Barrier. ' due to open its Auckland season at the Plaza Theatre on Friday lias in its main roles such well-known players as Richard Arlen, the Hollywood star. Lilh Palmer, a Viennese beautv, and Antoinette Collier, already known to local picture-goers for her performances in '•The lenth Man" and "Ourselves Alone. - ' The story of the film centres around two young men in search of adventure named Hickey (played bv Richard Arlen) and Steve (Barry Mackav), who find their way to a pMace where the Canadian Pacific Railway is nearing its completion. Mary Moody (Antoinette Cellierl. daughter of one of the "railway bosses." ih here, and they meet her, Steve makiing up to her; but she likes Hickey, who. however, affects disinterest in women. Through a tight in a tavern they are gaoled, cannot pay their tines and are forced to work on the railroad. Hickey soon shires a a leader and becomes foreman. Mary tries to influence her father in his favour, and when a small party of men are selected to prospect for the final and most important pass through ' winch the railroad is to cross the Rocky Mountains. Hickey and Steve go with it. From this point the film moves to an exciting and moving climax, in which the the principal players encounter adventure and hardship, but the desirable pass is located. Critics who have seen the film in its overseas showings have been unanimous in their praise of its production. The scenery of the rugged mountains about the place where the major part of the story was filmed is said to be magnificent. i Richard Alien, after many performances of real merit in American films, appears to have made an outstanding success of his i first British role. Lilli Palmer is described as a first-rate actress. The work of Miss Cellier has already been seen and admired. With such a fast-moving story the pict ture should be one to appeal to the ; imagination of Aucklanders.