NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 615, 18 March 1929, Page 15

NEW REGENT

“THE TRAIL OF ’9B” The greatest of motion pictures have been the monuments of their respective periods of time, and "The Trail of 98,” now at the New Regent Theatre, is the latest addition to this glittering company. What those epochal triumphs were in their distinctive phases of life—what "The Big Parade” was to the holocaust of war as an instrument for international peace, what "Ben Mur” was to Christianity in telling mankind’s most cherished story to the masses through the screen—so will "The Trail of 98” stand for all time as the greatest film story of mankind’s supreme adventure —the search, not lor gold alone, but for new frontiers to cross, new lands to conquer—expression in physical action of that inner urge that sends men forth to attack the impregnable, conquer the unconquerable. “The Trail of ’9B” tells in its dramatic, pictorial way the rush to the Klondike through the adventures of a large group of people, particularly of a young couple, Larry and Berna, who meet on the boat from San Francisco. Tho 600-mile journey across the frozen Alaskan wastes and snarling mountain ranges is frought with unspeakable hardships, and Larry often wonders how Berna is faring. Unknown to him, she has repulsed the temptations of Jack Lacoste, a rich bully, and wonders if Larry loves her. They meet by accident shortly after this, somewhere along the never-end-ing trail to Dawson City, and Larry takes her in his arms with a joy and hope like madness rushing through his veins—to promise, and be promised, that when he "strikes” it they must get away from this wicked Klondyke and live in a little cottage of their own where the roses will always bloom. But that is only the start of their story—many are the events and mighty the drama, that scorches their very souls before he clasps her in his arms again. In fact, they do not go a hundred yards when the spectator is jerked into almost audible consternation to see a snow avalanche of thousands of tons bury hundreds on the trail in a twinkling—though neither Berna nor Larry is hurt. It would not be fair spoil the movie lover to tell more of the story. Suffice it to say that "The Trail of ’9S” is the great€!st screen entertainment ever produced. Karl Dane, Polly Moran, Tenen

Holtz, Tully Marshall and Harry Carey are some of the 35 well-known players in the huge cast who give a good account of themselves, while the direction and tlm photography must be seen to be believed. The picture is accompanied by a special musical score from the Regent Operatic Orchestra.