Harrison's Reports (1935)

151 "Alias Bulldog Drummond" with Jack Hulbert and Fay Wray (G-B Productions, Sept. 15 ; time, 62 min.) A fair comedy. It is a burlesqued melodrama, which occasionally becomes a little ridiculous. The action, most of which takes place in a subway station and tunnel, is fast and at times exciting. One situation is thrilling; it is where Jack Hulbert, masquerading as Bulldog Drummond, has a fight with a notorious gang of jewel thieves who are armed with guns while he is armed only with boomerangs, taken from a case in the Museum. The comedy is provided by Claude Hulbert, a friend of the real Bulldog Drummond, and Jack Hulbert. One feels sympathy for Fay Wray, the heroine, a protege of her grandfather's in the intricate work of jewel setting, who had been kidnapped by the crooks : — Atholl Fleming, the real Bulldog Drummond, on his way to help Miss Wray, is hurt in an accident and taken to a hospital. He persuades Jack Hulbert to impersonate him in order to help Miss Wray find her grandfather, who had been spirited away by a gang of jewel thieves, to do some setting on a fake jewel. Not wanting to do this crooked work, he deliberately burns his fingers, making it impossible for him to work on the fake jewel. The gang, not knowing anyone who could finish the jewel but Miss Wray, kidnap her while she, Jack Hulbert, and Claude Hulbert were hunting for clues in her grandfather's laboratory. Jack Hulbert and Claude Hulbert, left behind by the gang, force their way out of the laboratory. They trace the gang to their hideout, a disused subway station, but much to their dismay they are discovered by the gang and taken prisoners. When Miss Wray accidently finds out that Jack Hulbert is not in reality Bulldog Drummond, she gives up hope that help would come, and in order to save her grandfather, consents to duplicate the fake jewel for the real one, which was in the British Museum. Jack Hulbert and Claude Hulbert overpower their guards and while Claude Hulbert goes to Scotland Yard for help, Jack Hulbert follows the gang into the Museum. After a thrilling fight there, and an exciting ride in a runaway subway train, the gang with the ringleader are captured. Jack Hulbert and Miss Wray marry. The screen play is by J. O. C. Orton, Sidney Gilliat, and Gerard Fairli in collaboration with "Sapper" ; the direction, by Walter Forde. In the cast are Claude Hulbert, Ralph Richardson and others. Not suitable for children, adolescents, or Sundays. Harmless for adults. Suitability, Class B. "Atlantic Adventure" with Nancy Carroll and Lloyd Nolan (Columbia, Aug. 25 ; time, blYi min.) A pretty good melodrama. The action is fast and one is held in suspense throughout because of the danger to Nancy Carroll and Lloyd Nolan, who had unwittingly become involved with crooks. The closing scenes, in which the crooks hold Nancy and Nolan captives, are the most exciting. Comedy is provoked by Harry Langdon, a newspaper photographer, who is more interested in eating than in doing his work. The romantic interest is pleasant. In the development of the plot Nolan, a newspaper reporter, is discharged when he fails to report an important story concerning the murder of the District Attorney. He learns that a steamer is being watched for the murderer and goes aboard. Langdon, on instructions from Nolan, telephones to Miss Carroll, who had quarrelled with Nolan, telling her that he was leaving the country. She rushes to the ship and when she meets Nolan and finds that he had tricked her there they quarrel again. Before they realize it the ship sails and then their troubles begin. Miss Carroll is mistaken for the accomplice of a jewel thief, and is handed some papers which she turns over to Nolan. Eventually Nolan recovers the stolen jewels, turns the crooks over to the Captain, and is instrumental in finding the murderer, who was posing as an old man. Miss Carroll forgives Nolan and they marry. The story is by Diana Bourbon. The screenplay is by John T. Neville and Nat Dorfman, and the direction by Albert Rogell. In the cast are Arthur Hohl. Robert Middlemass, John Wray, and others. Not for children, adolescents, or Sundays. Harmless for adults. Suitability, Class B. Substitution Facts : This is replacing ''Surefire," listed on the contract as a Gene Raymond and Ann Sothern production. It is a star substitution and you are not obligated to accept it. "Together We Live" with Willard Mack (Columbia, Aug. 16; time, 68 min.) This is a propaganda film against Communism and is not good entertainment. Willard Alack, who incidentally has died since the production of this picture, has the role of the old Civil War veteran wdiose heart is broken when his sons join the Red forces, and on several occasions he delivers long lectures about patriotism which become quite tiresome because they are preachments. In the development of the plot Mack lives happily with his three sons and two daughters until he finds out that two of his sons had joined the Red forces. He leaves home, refusing to live with them, and is taken in at the Old Soldiers' Home. When he hears that Sheila Mannors, his daughter, refused to marry William Bakewell because she felt that she was duty-bound to remain with her father, he induces her to change her mind. His youngest son, who believed as his father did about Communism, learns that his brothers were going to join in a plot to blow up various factories. He rushes to his father who, together with his old friends, goes after the Reds and rounds them up, putting them in prison to be dealt with by the Federal Authorities. His two sons are now contrite and beg forgiveness, promising to be loyal Americans. Willard Mack wrote the original screenplay and directed it. In the cast are Ben Lyon, Esther Ralston' Hobart Bosworth, Wera Engels, Charles Sabin, and others. Suitable for all and for Sundays. Suitability, Class A. "The Big Broadcast of 1936" with a star cast (Paramount. Sept. 20; time, 96 min. ) Very good for the masses. It has music, comedy, dancing, and a cast which includes such favorites as Grade Allen, George Burns, Amos 'N Andy, Bing Crosby, Jack Oakie, Bill Robinson, Mary Boland, Charles Ruggles, Ethel Merman, and others ; these appear in short skits. The novelty of having so many stars in one production adds to the entertainment value of the picture. The manner in which these different entertainers are presented is ingenious; it is done through a portable television and broadcasting apparatus, which is supposed to pick up scenes of events happening either on the street or in homes. One of the funniest skits is that which is acted by Mary Boland and Charles Ruggles. Ruggles is ill and wants to remain in bed for a day to read. Miss Boland, in her desire to be helpful, makes him so uncomfortable by fussing over him that he becomes frantic. One touching scene takes place in a hospital where David Holt offers his blood to save the life of his sister, Virginia Weidler. That is the one serious note in the picture ; otherwise the scenes are of dancing, singing, orchestra music, or comedy : — Jack Oakie and Henry Wadsworth, owners of a radio broadcasting station, have only one client, a meat packing concern, and the program they broadcast is called "Lochinvar the Great Lover," which appeals to women. Burns and Allen convince Oakie that their radio eye machine is a marvelous invention, but Oakie has no money with which to buy it. Lyda Roberti, a wealthy ranch owner, had fallen in love with "Lochinvar" and to her surprise finds that "Lochinvar the Great Lover," is two men; for Oakie recited the poems while Wadsworth sang. She invites both men to her yacht for dinner and once they are there she orders the Captain to set sail for her home, hoping that during the trip she will be able to choose the one she loves. When they arrive at her home they are warned by C. Henry Gordon that he had killed every other suitor who had been invited there. Oakie knows that as long as he is by Miss Roberti's side no harm will come to him. But Gordon gives her sleeping powders and Oakie has a hard time keeping her awake. He amuses her with the different programs that come through the radio eye machine. At the same time he broadcasts what is actually happening to him, and this is hoard by a Committee who were judges in an international radio contest for a prize of $250,000. They award the prize to Oakie for the most original program. After a wild chase, Oakie escapes and Miss Rol>erti goes with him. The original screenplay is by Walter DeLeon, Francis Martin and Ralph Spence. Norman Taurog is the director and Benjamin Glazcr the producer. Others in the cast are Ina Kay Hutton and orchestra, Ray Noble and orchestra, Nicholas Brothers, and Benny Baker. Suitable for all. Class A.