'HALF WAY TO HEAVEN” ' STARS CHARLES ROGERS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19236, 25 November 1930, Page 4

'HALF WAY TO HEAVEN” ' STARS CHARLES ROGERS

“ Half Way to Heaven,” the principal attraction at the Crystal Palace Theatre this week, has a particularly strong cast headed by Charles (Buddy) Rogers, Jean Arthur and Paul Lukas. The story concerns a young trapeze performer who falls in love with his feminine partner, played by Jean Arthur. The third member of the act, Paul Lukas, is also in love with the winsome member of the troupe and he is so blinded by jealousy that he attempts to take the life of his rival. The climax to the story comes when Rogers, evading the attempt on his life, turns on Lukas and beats him so severely that he leaves the show. The love story throughout the picture is skilfully worked to a smashing climax and the acting of the principals is very clever. The whole story is woven round a troupe of trapeze artists and their stunts, many feet in the air, arc very cleverly executed. The supporting programme has been carefully chosen and includes news features, current world events. An amusing comedy, entitled “The HoldUp,” causes many laughs, and there is also a featurette in which cowboys sing typical "Western songs.