EPIC OF THE NORTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21347, 23 November 1932, Page 14

EPIC OF THE NORTH

" IGLOO " FOR MAJESTIC

" Igloo," an unusual film of life among the Eskimos, will head the new Majestic Theatre programme to-morrow. A gripping drama of the stern struggle for existence in the Arctic Circle, " Igloo" was directed at Point Barrow, Alaska, where the temperature is 50 degrees below zero, but in spite of the difficulties of production, Ewing Scott has evolved a notable film.

Concerning "Igloo" an English critic writes:—"lt is good entertainment for everybody, because it is sincere, authentic —and different. Memories of Flaherty's 'Nanook of the North' will be stirred by this simple story of Eskimo life. The camera tolls with vivid simplicity of the life of a little tribe of Eskimos, the 'wise man' of which is Lanuk. We see them coming out of their hibernation into the first pale sunshine of early spring. Lanuk, old and crippled, is anxious, however, for he fears that winter has not quite gone. Kyatuk, a native girl, hunts in vain for meat, but famine is averted when Chee-ak, the young hunter of a neighbouring tribe, arrives with food. Chee-ak is in love with Kyatuk and the progress of the romance is charmingly depicted against the background of the North. " When the storms of winter suddenly return the Eskimos retreat to the shelter of their igloos. Starvation is imminent and Chee-ak decides to lead the tribe to tho open sea, where the chances of securing food arc greater. They set out, and an epic struggle ensues. In accordance with the tribal law that the weak must not impede the strong, old Lanuk, father of Kyatuk, is walled up in his igloo and left to die. There follows a film which for sheer grandeur and vital realism has seldom been equalled on the talking screen." The other attraction on the programme is a thrilling mystery drama, " Penalty of Fame." A powerful cast includes Lew Ayres, who scored his first success in "All Quiet on the Western Front," and Maureen D'Sullivan, of "Just Imagine*"