PLAZA THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 153, 30 June 1934, Page 16

PLAZA THEATRE

‘ THE LOST PATROL” THRILLS. The unanimous opinion of Plaza t heatre patrons yesterday was that ‘The Lost Patrol,” which commenced screening then for the week-end programme. is one of the finest action I films .yet shown here. It is magnificently realistic in background, powerful in theme and swift and dramatic in action, this epie of gallantry on the desert is strikingly different from the usual screen drama. Played with tremendous virility by a cast, including Victor McLaglen, Boris Karloff, Wallace Ford, Reginald Denny, and a notable array of supporting artists, the production was directed with a masterful hand by John Ford. The story is that of a patrol of British cavalrymen who are lost on the Mesopotamian desert when their officer is killed by Arabs. Under the ! command of their irou-nerved sergeant, they take refuge in an oasis, where [they become the virtual prisoners of their invisible but ever-vigilant enemies. Lightened frequently by comedy tinged with romance and often touched by pathos, the record of the doomed patrol is mostly one of sheer drama, which reaches stirring heights in a surprising climax. Standing out among the superbly-portrayed characters are the heroic figure of the sergeant, played by McLaglen, and the pathetic and somehow noble religious zealot made to live and breathe by Karloff. A talkie actor’s life is not all honey. At times they are exposed to great danger, intense heat or wintry blasts of the Far North, but in “The Lost Patrol” Victor McLaglen and his fellow-actors in the cast lived the story in the sweltering heat, amidst many privations, in order to get true local colour into the production. RKO Radio spared no expense to produce a masterpiece worthy of the name. Adapted from Phillip MacDonald’s great novel, “Patrol,” this production will live long in the memory of all those who view it. It is a picture that makes men glad they are men and compels women to love brave men. The men who up the case in. “The Lost Patrol” actually each live their role in the sweltering heat of the desert. Its greatness is in the simplicity in which the story Is unfolded, and the realistic manner in which each member of the cast portrays his part. Produced by John Ford. «* veteran with many successes to his credit, it ranks foremost among the year s masterpieces The supporting programme is an excellent one, and includes Pathe News. Fox-Aussie News and Travelogue. while “Darby Decade” is an all-musical “short” in which Ruth Utting sings to great effect. There is also an entertaining cartoon entitled ‘ ‘ Cubby’s St ratospere Flight. ”