based on the novel by James Hilton
Written by Robert previous hit Riskin
FADE IN[1]
Over the titles we see SUPERIMPOSED
the snow-capped mountains leading to
Shangri-La.
CLOSE-UP of an impressive-looking book.
The covers open and the pages turn.
The first page reads:
In these days of wars and rumors of
wars – haven’t you ever dreamed of a
place where there was peace and security,
where living was not a struggle but
a lasting delight?
The second page reads:
Of course you have. So has every man
since Time began. Always the same dream.
Sometimes he calls it Utopia – sometimes
the Fountain of Youth – sometimes merely
“that little chicken farm.”
The third page reads:
One man had such a dream and saw it
come true. He was Robert Conway – England’s
“Man of the East” – soldier, diplomat,
public hero—
The fourth page reads:
Our story starts in the war-torn Chinese
city of Baskul, where Robert Conway
has been sent to evacuate ninety white
people before they are butchered in
a local revolution.
The fifth and final page reads:
Baskul – the night of March 10, 1935.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. BASKUL FLYING FIELD – NIGHT
1. LONG SHOT
The field is aflare with floodlights
– on one side is an office building
– on the other are hangars. The whole
field is filled with Chinese refugees
running around wildly. An Army transport
is in front of the office building,
motors going
2. REVERSE SHOT
Showing in the distance, probably several
miles away, the effect of a burning
city, which is Baskul. Over the shot
we hear the steady boom-boom of gunfire.
In the f.g., we see the silhouetted
figures of Chinese running away from
Baskul and toward the Camera, their
personal packs on their backs.
3. MED. CLOSE SHOT
Toward office building. Conway comes
out of the building, followed by a small
group of white people with frightened
faces. They have to fight their way
through a horde of milling Chinese.
4. MEDIUM SHOT
As Conway and group finally reach the
plane where Conway forces the white
people in. In this he is aided by his
brother, George, a young and vigorous
Englishman. The pilot sticks his head
out of the cockpit.
? 472 ?
PILOT
Conway, we can’t take more than seven!
Conway pulls a passenger out and gives
the pilot a signal to start.
CONWAY
(to passenger)
All right. I’m sorry. There will be
another plane in a minute. All right
– go on.
5. LONG SHOT
Motors roar, and the plane starts to
move, scattering those of the Chinese
who were unfortunately too close to
the ship. Conway and George rush back
into the office building.
INT. LARGE OFFICE ROOM
6. FULL SHOT
There are about thirty white refugees,
men, women and several children. They
all lift their panicky faces to Conway
and George as they enter. A barrage
of questions are flung at them.
AD-LIB
Are there any more planes? Do you think
the bandits will come here? Please take
my wife next, Mr. Conway!
CONWAY
Wait, wait! Everybody, wait! There are
plenty of planes coming. Now everybody
have patience. Everything will be all
right.
He crosses to a back room.
GEORGE
You have nothing to worry about. Leave
everything to my brother.
INT. RADIO ROOM
7. MEDIUM SHOT
As Conway enters to speak to operator.
RADIO OPERATOR
Yes, sir – with seven passengers aboard.
RADIO SPEAKER
Seven passengers? Good.
CONWAY
Get me Shanghai.
OPERATOR
I’m talking to them now, sir.
CONWAY
Hello? Hello?
RADIO SPEAKER
Hello. Hello.
CONWAY
(into mike)
Conway speaking. Is Colonel Marsh there?
? 473 ?
COLONEL’S VOICE
