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Skyjacked! Unheard of in the early 1930's, yet it did happen to four passengers in Afghanistan, during a civil conflict there sounds sadly familiar. A "mad" Asian pilot with a gun does, flying east into the tallest mountains in the world. The aircraft goes above, around and hopefully not through them, a spectacular view for those with the guts to look, beautiful the Himalayas and frightening too. Tibet an almost unknown country with few visitors who return back home to report their findings, the apparent destination. "Glory" Hugh Conway a British consul, in some half- forgotten and remote city in Asia (suffering shell shock, from W.W.1). His vice -consul young hot- tempered Charles Mallinson, rather impetuous or just a coward. A missionary Roberta Brinklow a little past her prime the unkind would say.. . And the only non -British one on board the plane American Henry Barnard, mysterious, jovial a typical citizen of that country hiding something? Landing at an isolated mountainous spot not really a runway, getting refueled by people with lots of guns, the passengers are encouraged to stay in the plane, and obey , with few arguments, heroes none here. Again in the air, hour after hour always heading higher and higher into the mountains. The fuel is getting very low and must land soon, they do crashing in a valley. Where? Nobody knows since the pilot soon expires ...No food or appropriate clothes for this harsh, frigid climate, no way to get back to civilization. All see their deaths here, though next morning a miracle occurs, people are coming in their direction. An old Chinese man, Chang with a dozen others leads them to mythical Shangri-La. However first a little mountain climbing, up dizzy heights which scare his friends never Conway, a former mountain climber in the lofty Alps. Ropes are used stomachs lost, but at long last they enter the Valley of the Blue Moon (as the natives accurately call it). The impressive Karakal Mountain (Blue Moon), at 28,000 feet in elevation... Looking terrifying to the tiny newcomers... An uniquely contented.. peaceful ..enchanting...breathtaking paradise. A long ways from the constant wars and upheavals of the unstable world, sanctuary for those that need it. An imposing, prosperous Buddhist monastery ( is it still?) overlooking and dominating the valley, a majestic view ... below, a few thousand happy inhabitants . The other monks, seldom are seen there, Chang gives them food, rooms, books to read and even music to listen to in the Lamasery . Played by Lo-Tsen a talented Manchu girl, a teenager (she seems). The High Lama strangely is European and looks like he's 100- years -old, he's older ...And doesn't give much information to the curious Mr. Conway ... Many secrets are kept from the newcomers, questions are asked when can they leave? Much longer to stay for the foreigners? What's the purpose of the valley? How do they make money? And some of them begin to like the unearthly situation here ( others decidedly...the opposite). This Shangri- La, is not a bad place to live in ... A fantasy from the '30's, which has appeal even today, maybe not so strange.