THE MAJESTIC

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 90, 16 April 1929, Page 11

THE MAJESTIC

Excellent entertainment is provided by Fox Films “Prep and Pep, ’ which closes at the Majestic Theatre to-night. Nancy Drexel, a beautiful little blonde, and David Rollins, who is both good looking and clever, head a large cast of youngsters, many of whom ar e actual students at a large military school, ' where the picture was filmed. The supporting feature is William Dudley Polley’s sensational crook story, “The Ladybird,” featuring Betty Compson. To-morrow The story of ‘‘Two Lovers,” the picture ’in which Ronald Colman and Vilma Banky make their last co-star-ring appearance at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow, was selected by {Samuel Goldwyn in an international contest that had 40,000 entries. More than a year ago, shortly after Mr Goldwyn had decided to split his famous team of stars, he announced that a prize of £2500 would be paid to the film fan suggesting the best idea for the final Coliuan-Banky picture. Original stories were not invited; what Mr Goldwyn wanted was the suggestion of a published novel or produced play •that might make a pictur e big enough for the final joint effort of Mr Colman and Miss Banky. From every state in the union, from South Africa and South America, from the Orient and Australia, from all over the world, —letters swamped the Goldwyn office. Novels and plays were suggested that no one could remember. Mr Goldwyn engaged a staff ot twelve readers to take care of the flood of replies. Every answer was carefully acknowledged, recorded and filed. The books and plays suggested were procured, regardless of cost, and read and analysed. Postage on th e cost i? estimated to have cost more than 4,000 dollars, the clerical expense probably twice that amount. After six weeks, during which his specially improvised scenario department worked eighteen hours a day seven days a week, the tabulation showed that more than thirty contestants had suggested th e Baroness Orczy novel, ‘‘Leatherface,” a best seller some fifteen years ago. When an examination of the records was made, it was found that Betty Osborne, a 16-year-old schoolgirl of Milwaukee, Wis-, had been the first to submit the idea. The working script of the novel was quickly a.ianged by Alice D. G. Miller, who later made the scenario. Both Mr Colman and Miss Banky, and also Director Fred Niblo, enthusiastically endorsed Mr Goldwyn s selection. Accordingly, a representative was dispatched to Milwaukee with Mr Goldwyn’s check for £2500 and duly paid to the surprised youngster. A week later, the picture was in the throes ot production at the Goldwyn studio under Niblo’s direction. THE REGENT A “packed” house greeted the initial showing of ‘‘The Trail of ’9B” last, evening . Much has been said and written about this 1929 spectacle, and those who were fortunate enough to be at the Regent Theatre last evening, were loud in their acclamations and rightly said that it more than favourably compared with ‘‘Ben Hur” which has been universally acclaimed as the greatest motion picture achievement of all time. ‘‘The Trail of ’9B” shows a fine record of doggedness and determination, typifying the old battlers whose eyes lighted at the merest whisper of the word gold. What a memory the name Klondyke recalls for that type, and what an impression it makes upon the mind of the adventurous generation of to-day. In this production Dolores Del Rio and Ralph Forbes are both at their best as two young lovers, caught in the torrent of humanity that slowly made its way to the Klondyke in search, not of happiness and health, but of gold. The progress of the gold-maddened hordes who groped their painful way toward the treasure in the snow-bound Arctic regions, is shown graphically from the day, late in 1897, when a San Francisco newspaper first spread the news of nuggets of gold discovered in the Klondyke. Spectacle enough to satisfy the most adventurous is contained in the scenes of the perilous “WhiteHorse” rapids, the burning of Dawson City and the terrors of a long march. The press of two continents has searched in vain to find adjectives that would fittingly describe thi s miracle of human achievement and screen artistry. In practically every instance it has been described as ‘‘even bigger than ‘Ben Hur.’ ” Indeed, nothing else describes “The Trail of ’98.” Not only by reason oT the number of people engaged in its creation, not alone by virtue of its colossal immensity, its amazing thrills, its ever-present drama; not simply because of the wealth of money and labour lavished on it, does ‘‘The Trail of ’9B” rank as the greatest picture of all time. It is because it carries its message home to the heart of every man and woman with sledge-hammer force. Because it limns against a background of grim reality, the most amazing epic of human courage and fortitude within the record of mankind. Because it tells the story of men and women who displayed, m spite of the beckoning lure of hidden gold, all those traits of kindliness, self-sacrifice, bravery and tenacity that is the glory of the human race. Such a picture may never be made again. It is unique and inimitable. It commands success! This it has proven up to the hilt in England’ Europe and America. It is the most outstanding event in picture history. Regent patrons are strongly advised to make early reservation if they desire to secure seats to view what is destined as one of the greatest productions of the screen ever to come to this c i I y.