EPIC OF THE SCREEN.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20360, 18 July 1934, Page 3

EPIC OF THE SCREEN.

“ Little Women ” Starts on Saturday. “ Glamour ” will be screened finally* on Friday night at the Tivoli Theatre. “ Little Women,” which will begin at the Tivoli Theatre on Saturday, is a great epic of the screen. In the picture the spirit of Louisa M. Alcott’s classic of literature has been captured and recreated, reflecting the beauty of nineteenth century* family life in a way that touches the heart. It is a film which will be enjoyed by thousands who have never read the book, and it will add to the meaning of the story for those who have. Most of all, it will be remembered for the remarkable performance of Katharine Hepburn as Jo, one of the four sisters, whose personality time and again rises to unusual heights, overshadowing everything else in the picture. The actress leaves no doubt as to the character of the original Jo. She is vivid and sensitive, overflowing with emotions, and a girl of rare talents. Though her pinned-iip hair and voluminous petticoats belong to a past age, she seems ahead of her time and essentially modern. Like her sisters, she is in love with life, and the home rings to the laughter and fun of these girls, or becomes a place of silence where al 1 are overcome by some poignant grief. The range of emotions is unlimited, from the uttermost of joy to the uttermost of sorrow, pla\*ing tipon the surface or plumbing the depths of human experience. It is a faithful interpretation of the book, showing the simplicity of family life in the March home; the preparations for Christmas when the snow is on the ground; the amusing adventures of the girls at a dance, where Jo fears to take the floor because there is a patch in her dress; the friendship with a boy named Laurie in a neighbouring home; the efforts of Jo to publish her first magazine story, and later her success as an author; and the rollicking scene where the girls give a home performance of 3,1 adventure play*, with Jo ia several parts. Bo Xj plans at the D.I.C.