STORY OF PLANTATION LIFE

Evening Star, Issue 21742, 9 June 1934, Page 11

STORY OF PLANTATION LIFE

CAROLINA'' POPULAR AT STATE The singular appeal and simple charm of ‘ Carolina ’ lias caught the fancy of the Dunedin public, so much so, indeed, that the management of the State Theatre lias decided to screen it for a few more days. Set against a background of farreaching tobacco plantations, the story centres about Joanna (Janet Gay nor), who has gone; to\grow tobacco on the plantation of a decadent but still dignified Southern family,,;the Connellys. The. son Will (Robert Young) falls in love with the beautiful Northern girl, and, over-riding his mother’s objections, is so impressed by what Joanna tells him that he is inspired to new heights of ambition, Which is to rebuild the plantation. When Bob Connelly (Lionel Barrymore) meets her he has a vague recollection of having met her before, but as he seems always to live in the past, he does not remember where. At a party given in honour of a wealthy Charleston girl (Mona Barrie), whom the mother looks upon as a future daughter-in-law, Will, to her anger, shows more interest in Joanna. From this point , the picture takes a draipatic turn, and incident follows incident until the tragic death of old Connelly, who recalls his romance with a girl who turns out to be Joanna’s grandmother. It is here that the mother, choking down her pride, goes to the girl she has hated, and begs her to come back to her son, who, shocked by his uncle’s death and by the loss of Joanna, is slipping fast. The girl returns, bringing with her happiness and prosperity, and in the years that follow the plantation recovers its former glory. The whole picture is beautifully produced, and is one that cannot but sweep any axidience to the realms of romance. The supporting programme is of this theatre’s usual, high standard, and includes all the latest topical films dealing with world events.