Lost Horizon

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FADE IN:

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.

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.

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?

COLONEL'S VOICE

Right here, Conway. Go ahead.

8. CLOSE SHOT

As Conway continues into mike.

CONWAY:

Colonel, I need more planes. I've

still about twenty people to get

out. Where are those planes you

promised us?

COLONEL'S VOICE

We sent everything we could find,

Conway.

CONWAY:

They better get here soon or I

can't be responsible—

9. WIDER ANGLE

As George rushes in.

GEORGE:

Bob! I think I hear motors!

CONWAY:

(listening - then

into mike)

Colonel, wait a minute, they may

be here now!

(to George)

Say George, get down on that field

and guide those planes in when

they get here.

GEORGE:

Yes.

He starts for the door.

CONWAY:

And be sure that none of the natives

get in.

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