THE REGENT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 91, 17 April 1929, Page 11

THE REGENT

| “The Trail of ’98,” 1929’s greatest picture drama, held the larg c audience at the Regent Theatre spell-bound, throughout its entire screening las’t evening. TJio reputation that it has gained wherever it has been shown, is all that the most painstaking producer could wish for, as 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. W’hat 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 arc 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 “White Horse” 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 this 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 alono 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, in 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 uniqu e 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 produc- ] tions of the screen ever to come to this | city.