BRILLIANT CHILD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 14, 17 January 1936, Page 10

BRILLIANT CHILD

JANE WITHERS AT PLAZA “THIS IS THE LIFE” Superb acting on the part of little Jane Witners and an ui/aal story mark the Fox Film production, “This is the Life,” which is to be to-morrow’s attraction at the Plaza Theatre. Jane has gone lai’ since she appeared as the obnoxious child m “Bright Eyes,” starring Shirley Temple. In her new picture she gives a scintillating performance both as a dramatic actress and a song-and-dance personality and is ably supported by John McGuire, Gordon Westcott, Sally Blanc, Sidney Toler, Gloria Boy and Francis Ford. The «?tory centres around a brilliant child performer who is made a virtual slave by her guardians until she is rescued from torment by John McGuire, falsely accused of robbery and seeking to avoid arrest by the police. Masquerading as a boy, she hitch-hikes across the continent with her new-found friend, while an entire nation searches frantically for her. They have numerous adventures until McGuire gives himself up to the police to save Jane from being returned to her guardians. The late Will Rogers in “In Ohl Kentucky,” comes next Wednesday to

the Plaza Theatre. Adapted from the play, whose humour, sunny romance, and tingling horse-race drama have made it a favourite of three generations nf American, “In Old Kentucky” stars Rogers in a role, that presents his rich down-to-earth, character in a most lovable light. Ham H.ollma:in, famous humorh-t, and Gladys Lehmann, adapt-ed the play to the screen, in a modernised iorm, but preserved all of its drama and its rich comedy of character ami incident. In the picture Rogers enacts a shrewd and genial trainer of horses whome homely philosophy and keen wit cels right all the troubles of the impulsive people about him. Russell Hardie and Dorothy Wilson play the romantic youngsters in “Old Kentucky-.” The dramatised version of Gene Stratton-Porter’s famous novel, “Freckles,” will be. next Saturday’s attraction at the Plaza Theatre. All the charm of the novel is preserved in the film. Tom Brown and Carol Stone take the romantic leads, with cight-year-old Virginia AVeidler in the part of the delightful Larrie Lou. Ju a dramatic but simple manner, the love story of a lonely orphan boy and a girl of the out-of-doors is unfolded. ! “Freckles.” the orphan, findts his way to a lumber camp in the. aw-inspiri ig. ' sometimes breath-taking Limberlost, with its towering giants of trees and its own strange, wild beauty. Invrc he falls in with men of all type.- and ■ kinds—good friends, scoundrels and a ‘ delight schc.-ol teacher, not forgetting ’ the' irrepressible little chatterbox. ‘ Larrie Lou, who will be remembered 1 for the part, she played in “Airs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch.” Tom Brown. Carol Stone and Virginia Weidlcr give outstanding performances.