Drums (United Artists) (1938)

EZ — Korda’s “Drums” Thrilling Cavaleade of Conquest SS Korda’s exciting action drama, which comes to the__----------_____ Theatre on_____.______ Sabu, the East Indian child star of “Elephant Boy” fame, is the handsomely garbed drummer in the right hand corner of this drawing by the well-known IrvingLane, while Roger Livesey and Valerie Hobson fur nish the romantic interest. 1D—Four Column Drawing (Mat .60; Cut 1.00) THRILLS, ROMANCE AND INTRIGUE on India’s Northwest Frontier unfold in “Drums,” aS | Sabu Heads Cast of Action Drama Shot in Natural Color on India’s NorthWest Frontier (Advance Reader) All the thrills, danger and romance of life on the North West Frontier of India will be brought to thetsereen of the S255 2702! es): PHeaAtre On PSs on Sa when “Drums,” Alexander Korda’s magnificent technicolor production, begins a day engagement there. Sabu, the sensational child star of “Elephant Boy” fame, is featured with Raymond Massey, Roger Livesey, Desmond Tester and Valerie Hobson at the head of a cast of 3,000 in this exciting cavalcade of empire building, photographed in natural color in nature’s most dramatic setting. BREATH-TAKING REALISM The stirring story casts Sabu as a brave young Indian prince who, with the help of his Scottish drummer boy pal, is able to foil the fiendish plotting of his power-mad uncle, Prince Ghul, forestall the wholesale slaughter of British troops, which Ghul had planned as the bloody climax of a five-day ceremonial feast, and regain his own rightful place on the throne. The breath-taking realism which marks the battle scenes and the scenes of Indian tribal life was achieved by invading India’s treacherous Khyber Pass, territory which no motion picture camera had ever penetrated. A beautiful romance is contributed by Roger Livesey, as the redoubtable Captain Carruthers who undertakes the mission into the hostile Prince Ghul’s territory, and Valerie Hobson, as the bride who accompanies him to this distant and dangerous outpost, where she is the only woman among thousands of men. “Drums” was directed by Zoltan Korda and is released through United Artists. Alexander ALEXANDER KORDA presents “DRUMS” with SABU RAYMOND MASSEY ROGER LIVESEY DESMOND TESTER VALERIE HOBSON And a cast of 3,000 Photographed in Technicolor Directed by Zoltan Korda From a story By A. E. W. Mason A London Film released thru United Artists THE CAST . Prince Azim . ae, oe Mohammed Khan . Amid Taftazani PrinceGhul . . Raymond Massey Zarullah . . Lawrence Baskcomb Capt. Carruthers . . Roger Livesey Wafadar . . . . Roy Emerton Mrs. Carruthers. . Valerie Hobson Mullah . Michael Martin Harvey Lieut. Escott . . . David Tree Herrick . . . . Martin Walker Bill Holder . . . Desmond Tester Major Gregoff Ronald Adam Governor. ._ Francis L. Sullivan Rajab . . .. . Charles Oliver Major Bond . . Archibald Batty Sergeant . . . Julian Mitchell Dr. Murphy. ._ Frederick Culley Indian Dancer . Miriam Pieris THE STAFF .Zoltan Korda Directed by . ... . . Original story by . . A. E. W. Mason Adaptation by . . . . . Lajos Biro Scenario . Arthur Wimperis, Patric Kirwan, Hugh Gray Photographed by . . Georges Perinal Settings in color by . . Vincent Korda Technicolor Director . Natalie Kalmus Production Mgr. . David B. Cunynghame Indian location scenes photographed by Osmond Borradaile Musical Director . . Muir Mathieson Music composed by . John Greenwood Supervising editor . William Hornbeck Sound Director . . . A. W. Watkins Film Editor . . . . Henry Cornelius Dresses designed by . . Rene Hubert Indian costumes by . . . Phil Gough Assistant Director . . Geoffrey Boothby THE STORY (Not for Publication ) Unrest is rife in the tribal territory of the North West Frontier of India. Disguised as a native beggar, Captain Carruthers (Roger Livesey) successfully undertakes a dangerous mission in hostile country. He discovers that the various tribes are planning a joint uprising. At an official ball that night Carruthers proposes to the Governor’s niece, Marjorie (Valerie Hobson). The marriage is hastily arranged, as Carruthers is heading a mission to Tokot at the request of the Khan who is eager for British protection in order to assure his throne for his small son, Prince Azim (Sabu). The Khan is suspicious of his brother, Prince Ghul (Raymond Massey), who is plotting with the tribesmen. Carruthers signs a treaty with the Khan, and takes a warm interest in Prinze Azim who in turn establishes a strong friendship with Bill Holder (Desmond Tester), a drummer boy, and the two boys arrange a special drum signal. As soon as the British leave revolution breaks out, the Khan is killed by Ghul but Azim escapes to Peshawar, where he is still in considerable danger. Carruthers is appointed Resident in Tokot, where he is received by Ghul, who is secretly arming his people to drive out the British. He tries to persuade Mohammed Khan (Amid Taftazani), formerly advisor to the Khan, to join his revolutionary movement. Mohammed Khan tries to warn Carruthers, but is captured by Prince Ghul and tortured. Ghul organizes a sacred feast to which Carruthers and 50 of his men are invited. On the fifth day it is arranged that the beating of the drum will be the signal for the massacre of the British. Hearing of this in Peshawar, Azim goes to the Governor but is ignored. He leaves for Tokot with his protector, Wafadar (Roy Emerton). Later a British officer arrives with the same news and a relief force is dispatched. The feasting is drawing to a close. The drum begins to beat out its dreaded signal, but the last note is never sounded as Wafadar reaches the drum mullah and kills him. Now Azim taps out his secret signal. In an instant the feasting is turned to furious fighting. Carruthers is captured. The British relief force nears the Doro Pass. Ghul stakes all on a last desperate gamble. He tries to force Carruthers by threats, and the sight of Mohammed Khan being tortured, to sign an order to the British in the Residency to evacuate. Carruthers refuses. The relief force enters Tokot. Ghul makes hasty preparations to kill Carruthers and flee. But he is attacked and killed by Mohammed Khan. Meanwhile Prince Azim, in the Residency, has done his utmost to keep up Marjorie Carruthers’ spirit. It was he who brought the news of the relief force. And now the relief force has occupied Tokot. Carruthers is freed, and Azim is reinstated on his rightful throne.