PLAZA THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 178, 31 July 1933, Page 12

PLAZA THEATRE

“THE KING’S CUP” Model aeroplanes whirring above the heads of members of the audience at the Plaza Theatre during Saturday night’s interval lent an air of realism to the atmosphere which preceded the screening of the British and Dominion film, entitled “(Tho King’s Cup,” directed by Sir Alan Cobham, Members of tho Wanganui Model Aeroplane Club co-operated with the management in staging the novel display, which proved a huge success, only to be exceeded by the picture which followed. Sir Alan Cobham made a brilliant success of his London-Cape flight, and was one of tho pioneers of solo flying from England to Australia. The flying “ace” looked after all the technical details of “The King’s Cup.” and, in fact, was in complete control of the entire production. “The King’s Cup” air race takes place at the celebrated English speed centre of Brooklands. British and Dominions cameramen filmed the start of the famous race, being actually on the spot, and were able to shoot tho authentic finish of what was undoubtedly one of the most gruelling tests for airmen ever recorded. Interest is centred in the film version of “The King’s Cup” by the very fact that two ’planes which figure prominently in the picture itself were officially in the great race. A Hawker Tom-tit machine, entered by Mr. Herbert Wilcox, director of productions to British and Dominions Films, | was flown by Squadron-Leader William Helmore and navigated by Mr. Harry Milton, himself an ex-member of the R.A.F., who also occupies tho leading male role opposite Dorothy Bouchier in the talkie version. “Shots” were also made of other strategctic points of the race from various parts of the country, which allows for some unsurpassed scenic scenery to be injected in the film.. To-night’s screening of “The King’s Cup” will be under the patronage of the Wanganui Aero Chib and the Wanganui Model Aeroplane Club. The programme commences with several interesting “shorts.”