Motion Picture News (Jul - Sep 1930)

July 5, 1930 Motion Picture News 42a Opinions On Pictures Road to Paradise (First National — All Talker) Average Program Fare (Reviewed by Bill Crouch) CLEVER photography will arouse considerable interest in this dual role talker which stacks up as good program entertainment for the week bookings and split weeks. Although containing several highly improbable situations, the picture is deftly directed. Loretta Young essays the parts of twin sisters and turns in a fine performance in a difficult spot. The story builds around her characterization of the sisters, one an heiress and the other raised by a pair of crooks. The twins had been separated when babies. The crooks use Mary to help in robbing her rich sister's home. The latter returns to the house and is shot unexpectedly by Raymond Katton, one of the crooks. Mary dresses Margaret in her clothes and dons Margaret's apparel and succeeds in convincing an inquisitive detective that she is Margaret, while the latter remains unconscious. Hereditary psychic powers of both girls is brought into play for story development, with the identity of the two accomplished finally through a pair of lockets after the injured sister recovers. And Jack Mullhall, boy friend ■of Margaret, falls in love with Mary instead before the picture is finished. Mullhall has little chance for acting and merely walks in and out at intervals. Unusual interest is provided by the dual role of Loretta Young, as this is one of the first instances of double-exposure photography and recording for sound pictures. Raymond Hatton, George Barraud, Fred Kelsey and Purnell Pratt handle their parts well. Cartoons and musical shorts will go well here. Produced and distributed by First National. Directed by William Beaudine. Story, adaptation and dialogue by F. Hugh Herbert. Photographed by John Seitz. Length, 6,935 leet. Running time, 66 minutes Release date, July 20, 1930. THE CAST Margaret Warring ( Mary Brennan ) Loretta Young George Wells Jack Mulhall Jerry "The Gent" George Barraud Nick Raymond Hatton Mrs. Wells Kathlyn Williams Lola Dot Farley Brewster Winter Hall F.anagan Ben Hendricks, Jr. Yvonne Georgette Rhodes Updike Purnell Pratt Casey Fred Kelsey Ridin7 Law (Big Four — Talker) Just Fair (Reviewed by Charles F. Hynes) AS a vehicle for Jack Perrin's spectacular riding, this gets by; otherwise it's just a so-so western. It will appeal to the kids and outdoor fans who are not so concerned over story or production and acting values. Perrin is long on riding, but short on acting ability. Rene Bordon is the heroine, who affects a Mexican accent, so called, as does Jack Mower. Yakima Canutt is a fair heavy and a rider of no mean ability. Fern Emmett and Ben Corbett offer some comedy relief which is not so hot. Olive Young's work stands out as the Chinese cigarette girl. Pete Morrison and Robert Walkers are others in the billing. The story concerns a young cowboy who goes to Mexico to seek the slayer of his father. He falls into the clutches of a smuggling band, whose members suspect him of being a Federal agent, although he is obviously an American. He is saved by the ruse of a dancer. She proves to be a Federal agent, working with "her brother to apprehend the gang. The cowboy helps them carry out their mission, finds his father's murderer and wins the girl. Y^u can promise your patrons some horse manship feats by Perrin. Otherwise, just another talker western, with little new in the way of plot or treatment. Recorded by Power's Cinephone. Produced by Biltmore Prod. Distributed by Big Four Film Corp. Directed by Harry Webb. Story by Carl Krusada. Adaptation and continuity not credited. Editor not credited. Release date, May 15, 1930. Length, 5,600 feet. Running time, 55 minutes. Near the Rainbow's End (Tiffany— All Talker) Weak and Sloppy (Reviewed by J. P. Cunningham) THE height of feeble construction and so unconvincingly told that we hesitate to recommend it even to dyed-in-the-wool Western followers. Perhaps the very unsophisticated kiddie audience will give it a hand, but we are sure its entertainment value would ce&se there. The cast, and this includes Bob Steele and Louise Lorraine, featured players, act without one iota of expression. Others are extremely sloppy in their performances, too. And while it may have been the fault of the projectionist, the mechanical factors help to tear down what little pleasing contributions are made by picturesque outdoor locations. The sound was inaudible in spots, and photography out of focus in others. And from stories such as these, "Oh Lord, Deliver Us." A boy, a girl, the bad hombre and his gang of cattle rustlers, and you know the rest. Just a lot of blah, without any attempt being made to inject even a little bit of intelligence in unfolding the tale. Use only with a supplementary feature and some strong short comedies. Produced and distributed by Tiffany. Directed by J. P. McGowan. Story by Sally Winters. Release date, June 10. Length, 5,1% feet. Running time, about 58 minutes. THE CAST Jim Bledsoe Bob Steele Tom Bledsoe Lafe McKee Buck Rankin Al Ferguson Tug Wilson Al Hewston Ruth Wilson Louise Lorraine Bright Eyes (New Era — Synchronised) Not Much To This (Reviewed by Charles F. Hynes) THIS is a silent picture, except for a couple of song numbers, which are apparently dubbed, for the singing does not synchronize with Miss Balfour's lip movement. Betty Balfour is pretty nearly the whole show, which isn't much. It has an implausible story and an indifferent cast, excepting M. Vibert, who plays the role of the Argentine millionaire. This British production is a pretty amateurish picture. Betty is cast as a girl servant in the tap room of a Parisian cafe. She's sold on a waiter, but he can't see her. When he tells her he intends to visit her, she steals a bottle of champagne for his entertainment. He doesn't show up, and when the theft is discovered, she hides in the cafe. The guests arrive. A millionaire reveler insists her hiding under his table is part of her act and makes her sing a number. She is bounced, but recalled when the millionaire insists she join him. A borrowed dress is given her from the wardrobe of her rival for the waiter's attention. Then she proceeds to make her employer and her waiter boy friend unhappy. The latter decides he loves her and starts a fight. However, the millionaire patches up matters and the waiter proposes to Betty. They certainly took a lot for granted in developing the story, and the singing numbers will hardly fool any one. It is reminiscent of some of the first synchronized films dumped on the market by American producers when the sound craze started. You'll need plenty of strong support for this. Produced by British International. Distributed by British New Era. Adapted from story by F. Schulz. Directed by Geza V. Bolvary. Photographed by T. Starkuho. Length, 6,800 feet. Running time, 76 minutes. Release date, July ]& 1930. THE CAST Jenny Betty Balfour Jean Jack Trevor Henri S. Greiner Miguel Gomez M. Vibert Lola Vivienne Gibson San Francisco Fox in Anniversary Celebration San Francisco — The Fox is celebrating its first anniversary this week, special features being offered and cripples and shutins being transported from institutions to participate in the festivities. During the first year the theatre recorded 5,000,000 admissions. Joseph Santley Signs Pathe Term Contract Hollywood — E. B. Derr, president of Pathe, has signed up Joseph Santley on a term contract. He went to the Coast six months ago and appeared last in "Swing High." Batcheller on Coast Hollywood — George R. Batcheller, president of Chesterfield M. P. Corp., is here to prepare for the shooting of "A Jazz Cinderella" from the story by Edwin Johns. The Tec Art Studios are being used for production, with the R.C.A. system of recording, both sound-on-film and disc. Kirkley After the Inside Baltimore — Donald Kirkley, critic of the Baltimore Morning Sun and special writer for the Sunday Sun, leaves for Hollywood July 6 on a combination vacation and business visit. He will write a series of special articles for the Sun while in Sunny land. Another K. C. Film House Kansas City — Competition in the downtown field is to be increased by reopening of the Gayety, former Mutual burlesque house, under management of Phil Lavene. The Mutual burlesque shows open the Empress Aug. 24. Pathe Starts Two Hollywood — Pathe has assigned E. H. Griffith, who made "Holiday," to direct "The Greater Love," starring Ann Harding, and Russell Mack to direct Eddie Quillan in "Lookin' for Trouble." Merge Indie Chains Long Island, Mamaroneck and Rye theatres of the Joseph M. Seider and Casey & Wheeler chains, have been merged. Seider's interests in Staten Island and New Jersey theatres are not involved. McManus Shifted East Kansas City— H. E. McManus, for four years assistant manager of the Newman here, leaves next week for Rochester, N. Y., where he is to be assistant manager of the Eastman.