BRATTLEBORO-The Latchis Theatre will present a screening of Now, Voyager (1942) Friday, May 1, at 7:30 p.m. in the Main Theatre as part of its ongoing Classics at the Latchis series.
The program is presented by Sages and Latchis Arts and continues the theater’s initiative to bring landmark works of American cinema back to the big screen for local audiences.
Directed by Irving Rapper and starring Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, and Claude Rains, Now, Voyager is widely regarded as one of the defining films of Davis’s career.
Based on the novel by Olive Higgins Prouty, the film follows Charlotte Vale, a woman constrained by family control who undergoes a profound personal transformation. Noted for its emotional restraint and psychological depth, the film remains a significant example of classical Hollywood storytelling centered on inner change rather than spectacle.
The film holds particular regional resonance. Davis was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, the story begins in Boston, and Prouty was also a Massachusetts author, organizers said. A key portion of the narrative takes place in Vermont, where the protagonist’s transformation unfolds in a setting associated with recovery, reflection, and renewal. This New England context has contributed to the film’s continued relevance for audiences in the region.
In addition to its historical importance, Now, Voyager has been the subject of sustained critical interest in feminist and queer film studies. Charlotte’s arc has been interpreted as a narrative of self-determination that extends beyond conventional romantic frameworks.
“The film’s emphasis on autonomy, emotional complexity, and alternative forms of intimacy has allowed it to remain part of ongoing cultural and academic conversations,” wrote organizers in a news release.
Following the screening, the Latchis will host an informal discussion, and offer raffles, prizes, and additional audience engagement activities. The event is intended to function both as a film presentation and as a community gathering centered on shared viewing and conversation.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.