REGENT THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 25, 24 October 1936, Page 13

REGENT THEATRE

“China Clipper”

Commercial aviation is the topic of to-day and. the Warner Bros, studio has proved itself right up to the hour, with its production of “China Clipper,” which Commenced screening at the Regent Theatre last night. Woven round the inauguration of Pan-American Airways service from San Francisco across the Pacific to the East, the story has been brilliantly conceived and adapted to the screen. The film is a noteworthy milestone in modern moving-picture production. Although the story is fictitious, the background for the film is authentic. From Lindbergh’s proving that long ocean flights were practicable, Dave Logan (Pat O'Brieu) conceives the idea of spanning the Pacific on wings of metal. He secures unqualified support from flying men, but moneyed interests prove a more difficult obstacle. Sheer perseverance, domineering personality, and devotion to ideals, win him through to a dramatic ending. The producers have paid high tribute to the foresight aud indomitable courage of the pioneers of aviation, as a result of whose efforts the industry stands in its noble position to-day. From a small beginning Logan’s scheme develops into the greatest commercial flying accomplishment of all time, aud the story of that growth is packed with excitement and intense dramatic moments brilliantly enacted. The last ' few hundred feet of the film, showing the giant plane on its initial trip, are an education alone, and in view of the possibility of the extension of the service to Auckland, this picture is of particular inrterest to all New Zealanders. Pat O’Brien gives his best performance to date, and Beverly Roberts, as his wife, is excellent, Ross Alexander, Humphrey Bogart and Marie Wilson add humour to the story, while pathos falls to the lot of Henry B. Walthall in the part of the designer of the clipper.