“GUNGA DIN”

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20693, 31 December 1938, Page 15 (Supplement)

“GUNGA DIN”

KIPLING POEM A 8 FILM BRAVERY OF WATER-CARRIERS Based on flic world famous ballad by Rudyard Kipling, which was published in book form along with a group of Service poems in 1892 under the title, •’ Barrack Room Ballads. “ Gunga Din ” is probably Kipling’s best known verse. 11 lel Is graphically of the bravery and loyalty of the native water-carriers serving with the British troops in India, and ends with the Immortal line—" You’re a better man than 1 am. Gunga Din.” Sam Jaffa, who played Hie role of the Grand Lama in " The Lost Horizon,” has been assigned to bring the character of Gunga Din to life, whilst Cary Giant, Victor MeLaglen and Douglas Fairbanks., Junior, will be the Inseparable trio of servants in the Queen’s Own Sapper® and Miner® Regiment. A “ three Musketeers “ friendship between a trio of Brilsh army sergeants, and the devotion and lovaity of an elderly native \\at-r ■-carrier, comprise the dual theme ■ r Hie film. The all-for-one and one-for-all spirit of the Hirer non-com®. Hi * Ir< a#urehunting Cutter Cary «.imt , the romantic Baliantine (Douglas Fairbanks. Junior and Hie hardboiled Macdiesney Victor MeLaglen give® rise to the s« lies of exciting adventure® that make up the plot. The resourcefulness of the old native in keeping the three men alive during a seige, and in bringing Ihe rescuing column to them at the sarritice of hi® own life, interprets the Kipling poem in vivid fashion. Using nearly 1500 player* an d technicians, two-thirds of the action of “ Gunga Din ” is to be filmed in the High Sierras, with the snow-clad Sierra Mountains being used for the Himalayan peaks of the story ® actual locale.