Universal Weekly (1933-1935)

Mar. i6, 1935 — _ Carl L aemmle Anniversary Jubilee 19 Heaven-Sent Opportunity PHILADELPHIA Acclaims Says FRISCO Call-Bulletin P DITH BRISTOL, reviewing "The Good Fairy" in the ™ San Francisco Call-Bulletin, calls it a "heaven sent opportunity for those who have been demanding 'clean entertainment' to justify their demand by their patronage." She puts it up to them in his way: "If all the boards and councils, individuals and organizations, publicly pledged to patronize 'better' pictures, really mean what they say they mean, there won’t be one vacant seat at the Orpheum during the run of 'The Good Fairy.' "There shouldn't be, either. "And if the picture goers who demand films at once clean and clever, entertaining and free from offense, line up as they should for this Ferenc Molnar comedy, it will be proof positive that a picture for critics is a picture to please the boxoffice, too. " 'The Good Fairy' has charm, entertaining plot, amusing lines, capable direction and a cast hand picked for the screen version of a stage play deservedly popular . . . "The picture presents that successful achievement that can only come through the perfect balance of playwright, director, photographer and actors — the transfer of a stageplay to the screen without sacrificing anything of the clever lines and at the same time broadening the scope of its comedy." “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” ALL the Philadelphia papers greeted "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" at the Stanton Theatre with loud and unrestrained praise. Here is what the Record says: "Charles Dickens' story has been given an appropriate ending in 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood,' the new film at the Stanton. "The conclusion of the story, which ties up all the clues in neat fashion, more than justifies such liberties. And the result is one of the most satisfactory mystery films shown on local screens in some time. " 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood' is good screen fare . . . more because of the treatment it receives through the quality of the source. The action is so skilfully worked out and the mood of foreboding so well maintained that the story never lags and suspense rises to a moving climax. "Credit for the excellence of the film is undoubtedly due in a large measure to the direction of Stuart Walker, but the photography is uniformly effective and at times brilliant, while the acting of most of the principals lends added force. Particularly convincing are the performances of Claude Rains, Douglass Montgomery, David Manners, Francis L. Sullivan and Walter Kingsford. Heather Angel adds personal charm, if not too much dramatic ability. "For Crime Club enthusiasts, 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood' offers a feast. Others not addicted to that type of entertainment should find it pleasantly absorbing." H. M. + + + Roxy Mastbaum Acclaims “Fairy ’’ THE Daily News in Philadelphia, speaking of "The Good Fairy" in its opening at the Roxy Mastbaum says: "Petite Margaret Sullavan gives a new irresistibility to 'The Good Fairy' . . . Miss Sullavan, supported by a trio of superb comedians as her leading men, won the acclaim of yesterday's audience at the Roxy-Mastbaum . . . The comedy is absorbing throughout, due, at least to a certain extent, to the masterful improvements made upon the original Molnar opus by Preston Sturges. It has been directed with breezy sophistication^ by William Wyler." CARL LAEMMLE dnmversaru Jubilee WEEKS ENDING JAN. 12 AtAR.30 The Ledger says: "A worthy third in the present series of Dickens' screen versions. It is a colorful, exciting photoplay very well acted and mounted against a series of excellent Victorian backgrounds." The Philadelphia Inquirer says: "An excellent thriller. An agreeably excited audience at the Stanton yesterday watched with bated breath the solution of the mystery. "The four authors who put their heads together for this production have managed their own version most satisfactorily. "Of infinite assistance is the colorful direction of Stuart Walker, the dark, brooding photography of George Robinson and the atmospheric settings devised by Universal's designers. An excellent supporting cast which catches the Dickensian flavor of the quaint characters includes Francis L. Sullivan, E. E. Clive, Forrester Harvey, Zeffie Tilbury and Walter Kingsford." —MILDRED MARTIN The Evening Bulletin says: "Skillfully directed, exceptionally v/ell photographed, with an excellent cast."