Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1930)

October 2 5 , 19 3 0 Motion Picture N ezv s 73 Opinions on Pictures Lightnin' (Fox) Great (Reviewed by Dick Crenshaw) THERE'S plenty of box-office value to "Lightnin," a talker version of the well known stage play. Will Rogers in the title spot and giving a top-notch performance does the best work of his film career. Rates attention in the two-dollar class houses, and will hold up strong in the better pop price places and subsequent bookings. The picture has lots of quality and will stand plenty of exploitation. Old and young will find it amusing and worth while. Rogers takes a new role in this story, that of the shiftless, kind-hearted and liquor-loving Lightnin', and he fills it to perfection. He is slow in his motions, obvious in his lying, and a perfect scream in his comedy. He has added much to the character portrayed in the original play, with many of his own lines and his own inimitable style of acting. He is himself throughout the play, being at his best during the earlier scenes when his comedy is permitted full sway. The story deals with practices of modern society, depicting Nevada's divorce business and the ease with which the marital knot may be untied in that state. The scenes are laid at a hotel located on the California-Nevada line, where prospective divorcees may establish their residences in Nevada, and live in California. Shots of Lake Tahoe and adjacent mountain scenery add much to the production. The story tells of Lightnin's efforts to keep his family from selling this hotel, when they are approached by unscrupulous land sharks. When he refuses to sign over the deed, his wife, led on by flattery and promises of wealth, sues for divorce. Complications arise in the person of John Marvin (Joel McCrea), a suitor for the hand of Lightnin's daughter, who is wanted on the Nevada side for a deal in which he is innocently involved. He always manages to reach the California side just ahead of the sheriff. The final scene is laid in the courtroom at Reno, where Lightnin' attempts to halt the unexpected divorce proceedings. His crossexamination of his wife's attorney proved a riot. Everything turns out satisfactorily when the crooks arc shown in their true light and the couple is reconciled. As Lightnin's wife, Louise Dresser does a splendid piece of work. Joel McCrea and Helen Cohan carry the juvenile love interest in this talker, and both are ably cast. Jason Robards, Frank Campeau, Sharon Lvnn, Goodee Montgomery, Joyce Compton and Luke Cosgrave are well fitted for their roles. Henry King has given the picture expert attention from a directorial standpoint. He has worked out the comedy situations in a manner that gets plenty of laughs — and natural ones. Musical short and newsreel to balance. Produced and distributed by Fox. Directed by Henry King. Adapted from John Golden's stage play by S. N. Behrman and Sonya Levien. Photographed by Chet Lyons. Edited by Lois LoefTer. Length, about 8,100 feet, but not definitely set. Running time, about 80 minutes. Release date, Dec. 7. THE CAST "Lightnin' " Bill Jones Will Rogers Mrs. Jones Louise Dresser John Marvin Toel McCrea Milly Helen Cohan Thomas Jason Robards Zeb Luke Cosgrave Lem Townsend J. M. Kerrigan Margaret Davis Ruth Warren Mrs. Lower Sharon Lynn Diana Joyce Compton Ronald Rex Bell Sheriff Frank Campeau Mrs. Brooks Goodee Montgomery Monte Winslow Phil Tead Everett Hammond Walter Percival Mrs. Thatcher Charlotte Walker Mrs. Leonard Blanche LeClair Mr. Leonard Bruce Warren Mrs. Lord Antica Nast Mrs. Blue Moon Carroll Mrs. Weeks Bess Flowers Mrs. Starr Gwendolyn Faye Mrs. George Eva Dennison Mrs. Graham Betty Alden Mrs. Young Lucile Young Mrs. Bigg Betty Sinclair Flapper Divorcee Roxanne Curtis Walter Lannon Thomas Jefferson Life of the Party (Warners) Swell Comedy (Reviewed by Bill Crouch) GREAT comedy performances by Winnie Lightner, Charles Butterworth and Charles Judels make this talker most entertaining. The story is nothing more than a frame on which to hang a bunch of laughable situations — but who cares ? This will hold up in the week runs spots and is good for the split-week places. Where Lightner has a following this will meet with great success, as she has the top role and plays it great. The story, such as it is, concerns the escapades of two song pluggers who work in a music store and aspire to do bigger and better things. (Only one song is used in the picture and it is of a comedy nature that fits in well.) The girls get fired when Charles Judels appears and wrecks the music joint, a habit he has when angered. The girls, out of a job, go to work for him and when he offers them fine clothes to wear at a party he is giving they take the offer — and the clothes — and go to Havana. Here Winnie tries to get Del Roy engaged to some rich young man who will assist them in driving the wolf from the door. They hear that a certain Mr. Smith, inventor of a drink called "Rush," is stopping at their hotel and they decide to name him the victim. Thev see a "Mr. Smith," Tohn Davidson, and think he is their game. When the wedding date is set and all is ready for the union, Irene finds that Jack Whiting, whom she has met and fallen for, is the real Mr. Smith. Judels makes his appearance at this time and the whole affair is exposed. The girls are about to be jailed when Whiting steps in, pays the bills, wins Del Roy, and all ends well. The most laughable scenes occur in the furniture wrecking episodes played by Judels and Winnie's ride as a jockey in the big race, with the horse she bet on and is riding, running the wrong way. Charles Butterworth dispenses a brand of dry, subtle humor that is delightful and his comedy is in splendid contrast to that of Judels and Lightner, who go in for the slapbang stuff. The love interest is carried by Irene Del Roy and Whiting and they are both well cast. John Davidson and Arthur Hoyt give good performances. Roy Del Ruth did a good job of directing and keeps the piece moving at a rapid pace, never once letting the action slow up. Laugh follows laugh and the dialogue sunplied by Arthur Caesar is decidedly refreshing. The talker has been filmed in Technicolor, which adds considerably to the settings. Use cartoons and semi-serious shorts with this. Produced and distributed by Warners. From an original story by Melville Crossman. Adaptation and dialogue by Arthur Caesar. Directed by Roy Del Ruth. Edited bv Bill Holmes. Photographed by Dev Tennings. Running time, 70 minutes. Length, 6,300 feet. Release date, Oct. 25. THE CAST Flo Winnie Lightner Dot Irene Del Roy A. J. Smith Jack Whiting Colonel Jov Charles Butterworth Monsieur Le Maire Charles Tudels Fake Count. ..t Arthur Edmund Carewe Bogus Mr. Smith John Davidson Secretary Arthur Hoyt Passion Flower (M-G-M) Same Old Triangle (Reviewed by Don Ashbaugh) HERE'S a picture with excellent exploitation angles. When the cutters are through with it ad a few retakes are spotted, exhibitors will be able to put it across for fair box-office business. At best, however, it will have to remain in a program classification. With proper handling it will carry through on week runs, but on the average will do better on split-week bookings. Kay Johnson and Charlie Bickford are back together again. This is good for those who like them. Kay Francis offers more glamor and class in this than in anything she has ever done. Lewis Stone is seen all too briefly in a quite worth while role. But hand the laughs to Zazu Pitts. This solemn girl drags the giggles out every time she walks into the scene — and she does plenty. The story is by Kathleen Norris. That should be good for attracting the large numbers of nice old ladies and others who follow her stuff. The plot concerns two girl cousins. Kay Francis is married to a stupendously rich old Spanish don and has everything money c<.n buy. The other girl, played by Miss Johnson, is the daughter of an aristocratic old chap. She falls in love with the family chauffeur, played by Bickford. When the father finds out about it he orders both from the house and they are married at the Don's home, Lewis Stone playing the role of the patient, but wise, husband of Miss Francis. Bickford, following the ceremony, refuses to accept a wedding present of a 320-acre farm from the other pair — he prefers to make his own way. His new wife forsakes everything and honors him for his ambition. They find an attic apartment where Zazu Pitts is the landlady. Bickford fails to get far as a stevedore during the coming five years. Two children are born to them. Miss Johnson drudges on as the ever faithful and loving wife. Bickford still refuses to down his pride. Finally he does accede to the ever-recurring desires of the rich cousin to accept the ranch. They move, taking Zazu along, ostensibly as the children's nurse, but more for her comedy to hold up the remainder of the film. The rest is the same old story. Bickford falls for Francis. The rich old Don dies. The two leave the still faithful and adoring wife and go to Paris. Bickford still loves his wife and kids. Then pangs of conscience strike him and just about the time everything is all set for him to divorce the wife and marry Francis he finds out just how much he loves his family. It ends in a clinch. Bickford fills the role of the befuddled husband in a capable manner. Nobody, however, could blame him for falling when Miss Francis appears in some of the gowns she wears. Miss Johnson, as usual, turns in an excellent performance as the wife. William C. deMille directed it and during the early portions displays some clever touches. After the first half it flattens out and becomes just another one of those draggy affairs with no mystery surrounding the ultimate wedding. The setting is laid near San Francisco and some of the scenic shots are fine. Sttpport it n'ith a lively comedy or cartoons. Produced and distributed by M-G-M. Directed by William de Mille. Story by Kathleen Norris. Screen story and dialogue by Martin Flavin. Additional dialogue by Lawrence Johnson and Edith Fitzgerald. Photographed by Howard Rosson. Edited by Conrad A. Nervig. Length and running time not set. Release date, Dec. 6. THE CAST Dulce Morado Kay Francis Kathryne Pringle Wallace Kay Johnson Dan Wallace Charles Bickford Leroy Pringle Winter Hall Tommy Morado Lewis Stone