ST. JAMES THEATRE.

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 36, 11 August 1937, Page 5

ST. JAMES THEATRE.

"Lost Horizon."

In 1924 "Lost Horizon," a novel by the English author James Hilton, suddenly appeared on the best-seller lists and settled itself comfortably for a tremendous sale. Thousands were losing themselves in one of the most sensational stories in recent years, a story full of romance, adventure, and human understanding. "Lost Horizon" has been transferred to the screen and the film will be shown at St. James Theatre, beginning on Friday. Opening in a whirlwind of excitement in which a handful of beleagured whites flee massacre at the guns of Oriental ban-dit-rebels, the drama hurls its protagonists through the bitter chaos symbolic of the world we know into the peace and beauty of Shangri-La, the world we dream about. Hidden heavenhigh in the Himalayas, guided by an intelligence centuries old, this community has solved life's problem in harmony and brotherhood. Here the law is kindliness. The doctrine, moderation in all things. To Ronald Colman, the star, who has envisioned such a Utopia in the outside maelstrom, the High Lama hands the torch which is to enlighten a new world built upon the self-imposed wreckage of the old one. Even the unknowing, earth-bound comrades of the understanding hero become imbued with the spirit of peace and helpfulness. That is,- all save a dullard weakling brother, who is the hysterical Adam of this Eden to the serpent-like Eve of the actress, Margo. These two attempt to shatter the faith of their leader in the magic and the mysteries of Shangri-La, ; and almost they succeed. But they destroy themselves instead, and Colman, plunged again into the weltering hell, beyond the portals of paradise, fights his way back through a tortuous trail to a land of eternal peace and love.