CURRENT FILMS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 197, 3 June 1946, Page 6

CURRENT FILMS

ST. JAMES THEATRE The picturisation of A. J. Cronin’s widely read is-tory, “The Keys of the Kingdom” begins its season at the St. James Theatre to-night and will be shown on Tuesday and Wednesday at afternoon and night sessions. “The Keys of the Kingdom” is the story of Francis Chisholm, a very good and brave man —a very great man —who travelled many roads through many lands in a never-ending search for an ever wondrous secret of happiness. It is the story of Nora, the girl he loved, of his desire to protect her frailty, as. opposed to liis strong desire to devote liis life to the church. It is the story of Maria-Veronica, Aus-trian-born aristocrat, too proud and intolerant to recognise the greatness of a simple man. The incidents leading up to their understanding make some of the most powerfully dramatic moments of the film. And there are many such moments in the picture which travels from England, where Francis spends liis childhood, to Scotland and on to China, where Chisholm’s. mission becomes a battlefield. To Gregory Park, a comparative newcomer, falls tbe task of portraying Francis Cbisholm, the film’s central character, and the other important parts are played by Thomas Mitchell, Rosa Strander, Sir Cedric Hardwiclce, Vincent Price, Roddy McDowall, Edmund Gwenn, Peggy Garner and Ann Revere. A Magic Carpet and News Reviews: are also showing.