Modern Screen (Dec 1931 - Nov 1932 (assorted issues))

Donald Dilloway, Lee Tracy and Evalyn Knapp Edmund Lowe and Bela Lugosi in in "Night Mayor." "Chandu, the Magician." NIGHT MAYOR (Columbia) Lee Tracy is some actor, and some Mayor. Head of the biggest city in the U. S. A., he much prefers the "Follies" (and Follies girls) to stuffy old board meetings. He's such a darn nice fellow, though, that the boys at the city hall indulge him. It's the higherups that almost sound his death-knell when the mayor's private indiscretions come to their attention. His show girlfriend is true-blue, and refuses to marry him, saving him his office and giving herself lots of heartaches. It is really a one-man show but Evalyn Knapp and Eugene Pallette rate mention. PACK UP YOUR TROUBLES (Roach-M-G-M) was "Pardon Us,''' Your favorite three-reel comedy stars, Laurel and Hardy, try their hand again at a feature length picture. Their first, if our memory is aright, a hilarious hour or so of screen fare. Too bad that "Pack Up Your Troubles" doesn't ring the bell as loudly. When the two comedians adopt an orphaned kid, child of their war-time buddy, the sentiment begins and the comedy ends, almost. You may be interested to see blonde Paulette Goddard, the girl who is supposed to be making Charlie Chaplin's heart flutter. She's a right cute bit of femininity. THE MOST Suspense and thrills. Horror and DANGEROUS chills. Jungle and swamps. A boy GAME (Radio) anc^ a ^*r^ shipwrecked on an island. ^ ' A demoniacal Russian hunting them as he would animals. But then you may remember Richard Connell's short story from which this was adapted. Most noteworthy is the action captured by the camera as Joel McCrea and Fay Wray are running from the madman hunter. The latter is a striking new screen personality, Leslie Banks, a dramatic thoroughbred. TIGER SHARK (First National) You know that when Portuguese fisherman Eddie Robinson, with a hook for one hand, introduces his buddy, Richard Aden, to his sweetheart, she is going to fall for Dick. A Tiger Shark solves the triangular dilemma. Pictorially, this is an intensely worthwhile picture, showing the tuna-fishing industry from hook to can. Eddie Robinson deserves praise for his Portuguese Mike. And Dick Aden will make the girls' hearts pitter-patter. SO . This is the same Chandu whose CHANDU, adventures have been related over the JHE MAGICIAN radio. The story is just as imagina (Fox) tive and improbable, albeit exciting and entertaining. Eddie Lowe is the Yogi, Chandu. whose mystic powers save his brother-in-law and the latter's secret, which would enable its possessor to destroy the world. Bela Lugosi is an effective Roxor, the madman who almost succeeds in wresting the evil secret from its owner. Special photographic shots enhance the eeriness. and Eddie Lowe gives one of his best performances as Chandu. Children will love it. 70,000 WITNESSES (Paramount) Football and murder. With an excellent cast to put the story through its paces. Phillips Holmes again comes through as the football player who doesn't know whether or not he's guilty of the murder of which he is suspicioned. His brother, you see, is a crooked gambler who forces Phillips to "dope" the star of the opposing team. During the big game, the star player falls and later dies. Whether or not you like college yarns on celluloid, there's enough of the mystery angle to satisfy you. Charlie Ruggles (drunk again) carries off the honors. If you know man} people who were affected by the Wall Street crash, you know just what happens to Chatterton and her husband when they lose their money in the market, blackmail in an effort to recoup his fortune, and the lower he sinks, the more Chatterton seems to love him. She even turns down a chance to marry suave and handsome Paul Cavanagh. It's all too. too preposterous! THE CRASH (Warner Bros.) Brent turns to MY PAL THE KING (Universal) Cowboy Tom Mix gets very palsywalsy with the boy-king of a mythical kingdom. This friendship eventually saves the kingling not only his domain but his life, when aspirants for his throne plan to do away with him. Tom and Tony are "right there" when it comes to saving the king's life. Although the story seems not particularly adaptable to the hard-riding Mix, the kids ought to like this.