“WORLD MOVES ON.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20484, 10 December 1934, Page 3

“WORLD MOVES ON.”

Remarkable Drama Showing

at Regent,

More and more it is being recognised that the talking film, in addition to providing capital entertainment, can be a powerful educative factor, and in “The World Moves On,” which was presented at the Regent Theatre on Saturday, there is an impressive combination of these Elements, and the audience is shown the terrible effects of war, and the far-reaching ramifications of the extreme nationalistic policies that are now sweeping across the world. “ The World Moves On ” is in every respect an outstanding film achievement which leaves much more than a superficial impression. The story was written by Reginald Berkeley, who adapted “ Cavalcade ” for the screen, and it is interpreted by a particularly brilliant cast of players, with Madeline Carroll, the beautiful English actress, and Franchot Tone in the principal roles. Covering a period of more than a hundred years, the story deals with a family the members of which pledge themselves to subordinate everything else and place the family first in all circumstances. Held together by the pledge of perpetual unity, the members of the family establish branches of their business in England, France and Germany, as well as maintaining the headquarters in the United States, and with the passing of the years the business grows in strength and power. The worst shock comes with the outbreak of war in 1914, and its effects in shattering the family relationships are poignantly illustrated. When peace comes, the remnants of the faimly attempt to form a gigantic combine, but it is shattered by the depression, and in its train follows a wave of nationalism which makes it impossible for the different branches of the family to trade with each other. Then the world is shown moving again towards another war, and the only hope held out of averting such a catastrophe is the spark of religion. It is a masterly panorama of the changing universe as a background for a touching love story, in which Madeline Carroll and Franshot Tone are the principals. Films of the standard of “ The World Moves On,” judged from the standpoint of pure entertainment and the impressive character of the scenes, are few in number and in this instance the producers have created a masterpiece w’hich is comparable with “Cavalcade.” The supporting programme is of the usual high standard seen at the Regent.