La donna eterna

Far to the north of Siberia's Arctic Circle lies the hidden fertile kingdom of the female known only as SHE. Ruling by terror her empire of the imagination, She is the protectress of a great secret - The Flame of Eternal Life. Having bathed in it, she is the recipient of everlasting youth & beauty, but her heartache is unending as well, having lost her one true love 500 years ago. Then, one day, a tiny group of explorers stumbles within her grasp...

This is an excellent fantasy film, based on the novel by Sir H. Rider Haggard, and in the grand tradition of his KING SOLOMON'S MINES. The film boasts action, adventure, fine special effects & sets and the thought provoking enigma of interminable, undying desire.

Helen Gahagan, in her only film, is striking in her portrayal of She, a woman as tragic as she is blessed - to whom others' paltry, transient lives mean nothing. Randolph Scott, as the direct descendent & physical embodiment of She's long dead lover, is good in a role that calls for lots of energy. Nigel Bruce is very fine, as usual, this time playing the scholarly friend accompanying Scott on the search for The Flame. Helen Mack is well-cast as the young lady who finds herself caught up in the adventure.

Movie mavens will recognize Samuel S. Hinds as Scott's obsessed, dying uncle; Lumsden Hare as an unsavory Arctic trader; and Gustav von Seyffertitz as She's major-domo. Also in the uncredited cast are silent film star Noble Johnson in another of his chameleon roles, this time as the chief of the cave savages; and Olympic champion Jim Thorpe as She's Captain of the Guard - his attempt at Hollywood stardom only led to parts like this.

Special mention should be made of Max Steiner's throbbing score, which, like his KING KONG masterpiece, beautifully punctuates the action.