“Damaged Lives.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20454, 6 November 1934, Page 3

“Damaged Lives.”

“ Damaged Lives,” which is reported to be the most sensational film of recent years, comes to the Crystal Palace Theatre on Saturday. It is a gripping and graphic human document, and is said to be a courageous and praise-

worthy presentation of the dangers of the “ white scourge,” embellished by a movingly enacted drama which may rank as one of the greatest v achievements in the annals of the screen. All previous attempts at combining the education of the public to the dangers of this enormous social evil, with a narrative of definite entertainment value, fall into insignificance in comparison with this effort of the cinema. Emanating from Canada, produced in Hollywood, and featuring some of Hollywood’s most famous stars, “ Damaged Lives” has a definite objective to point a moral and yet achieve this objective so subtly and cleverly that never for a moment is the entertainment value of the picture allowed to suffer. For such an extraordinary film, an extraordinary director was needed, and Elgar G. Ulmer, formerly of the U.F.A. in Berlin, who essayed this delicate task, has done his work flawlessly. Diane Sinclair and Lyman Williams have the leading roles. “ Damaged Lives ” will be screened four times flaily, the 11 a.m. session being for women only. Box plans at the D.I.C.