CINEMA PROGRAMMES

Taranaki Daily News, 12 November 1934, Page 2

CINEMA PROGRAMMES

JANET GAYNOR GROWN-UP. “CHANGE OF HEART” ON SCREEN. “Change of Heart” brought to the screen at the New Plymouth Opera House on Saturday night a new, grownup Janet Gaynor. She was a vivid reallife heroine, grown to womanhood, and experiencing all the emotions of a woman. Farrell was no longer the dreaming boy, but a man who challenged the world and faced the confusion and cross currents of life. The story was a drama of epic struggle and inspiring love, portraying with astounding Realism the hardships of four youngsters just out of college, two girls and two boys. Banded together- by ties of loyalty, they entered the portals of New York and began a fight to realise their ambitions. Through all their adventures ran a complex Jove situation. The love of Janet Gaynor for Farrell was, however, the chief interest. The other romantic pair, Ginger Rogers and James Dunn, did splendidly, while Beryl Mercer, as the proprietor of a salvage shop, and Von Levffertitz, as the doctor, were perfect in their parts. News shorts, a comedy and an interesting travelogue combined to make a good evening’s entertainment. THE REGENT THEATRE. “CHARLIE CHAN’S COURAGE.” There is a new twist in “Charlie Chan’s Courage,” new showing nightly at The Regent Theatre, New Plymouth. It is different from any other Charlie Chan picture. As scon as you get into the story, you know that there is skullduggery afoot. Finally, aided by the enigmatic Chan, you see the bloodstains where the supposed murder was committed. But where is the body of the slain man? Any dyed-in-the-wool mystery fan knows that Charlie will find the solution of what appears to be a baffling mystery, but it is an intricate maze of plot and counter-plot that leads up to the startling climax. Even if you have seen all the Chan pictures, you will not solve this one. Warner Oland is even better than usual as the wily Chan. Billed as a support but of more interest than most feature films, “Krakatoa” is an amazing picture of the volcanoes of the world, traversing Vesuvius and Etna and the fiery mountains of Japan and Hawaii, and reaching a thunderous climax at mighty Krakatoa. The worldwide effects of its 1883 eruption are shown in diagram, followed by almost unbelievable pictures of the volcano’s unruly behaviour beneath the ocean. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. LOUIS BROMFIELD’S STORY. Ann Harding, with a brilliant cast headed by John Boles, scores one of the year’s brightest screen triumphs with “The Life of Vergie Winters," showing twice daily at Everybody’s Theatre, New Plymouth. As Vergie Winters, a small town milliner, Miss Harding gives a superb performance in a role entirely worthy of her exceptional talents. Academy award voters will recall this portrayal when selecting the best performance for 1934. Boles, in the leading male role, gives a powerful and moving performance, ranking probably as the best of the many fine characterisations. Helen Vinson, as the cold and selfish wife, Betty Furness as Miss Harding’s daughter, Molly O’Day and Wesley Barry are others of the huge cast deserving special mention. Focussing upon Vergie Winters, the story tells of a great love that endures gossip, scandal and malicious persecution. Condemned as “scarlet because it defies the conventions, this love is the ideal to which Vergie Winters clings through 22 years of vicissitudes. And in the gripping climax it is the ideal for which she is willing to give her life or her freedom. An up-to-the-minute supporting programme contains “Highlights of the Melbourne Centenary.”