The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

September 9, 1931 THE BIOSCOPE 31 BOX OFFICE FILM REVIEWS Sound and Dialogue Subjects “The Shadow Between” {R.C. A . Sound on Film.) Offered by : Wardour. Directed by : Norman Walker, for British International. Length : 7,935 feet. Release Date : May 30, 1932. Certificate: A. Type: Drama-, a screen play by Dion Titheradge. Cast: Kathleen O’ Regan, Godfrey Tearle, Olga Lindo, Hubert Harben, Jerrold Robertshaw. IN BRIEF : The strange but deeply interesting vicissitudes of a woman : her two marriages, imprisonment and ultimate reunion with the man she loves. Many improbabilities condoned by clever acting and beautiful production. More skilful cutting of the opening and final sequences would improve. Suitability : Excellent programme picture. Selling Angles : The touching performance of Kathleen O’Regan, brilliant character studies by supporting cast, well sustained interest, and charming scenery. Plot : Margaret’s young husband, after a career of extravagance, commits suicide. Practically penniless, she returns to her father’s parsonage. His lack of sympathy makes life unendurable, and she marries a rich man who pities her. The marriage is not consummated. His firm defaults and, though innocent, he is charged with fraud and sentenced. His wife has grown to worship him. She supports herself by becoming cashier at a restaurant. Through the thefts of a waitress her accounts are unsatisfactory. She is sent to prison. On emerging the waitress pretends friendship and Margaret narrowly escapes being involved in a jewel robbery. The crook relents and helps the girl to prove her innocence. Her husband’s release and proved innocence leads to the beginning of real marriage. Comment : This is a remarkable picture and one with points which are certain to appeal to the general public. Not that it is free from blemishes, for it is novelettish to a degree. But in parts it has the merit of so enchaining attention that for the time being one is less conscious of its imperfections. Margaret appears as a woman buffeted by Fate. First seen a care-free young wife on the shores of the Mediterranean, her happiness is as suddenly overwhelmed when her husband commits suicide because of financial stress. For some time after misfortunes pursue her. The chivalrous gentleman with whom she enters a platonic marriage is the tool of crafty city men and suffers for the crimes of others. But the mild admiration his wife-in-name-only feels for him grows to intense devotion, expeciallv when, on being sentenced, he tells her she must not wait for him, his convict stain being a “ shadow between ” them. This influences her future, and her own subsequent conviction makes her feel they are then on a level. The picture is filled to overflowing with incidents, many affording splendid opportunities for character studies, often humorous. After the initial tragedy much footage is devoted to the platonic love-making and a slight sagging of interest is apparent, but towards the close an excellent climax is worked up until the final scene, which again lapses into footage. Though there are manv episodes stained with improbability it cannot be said there is anything in the story which is impossible. The picture is likely to make a strong feminine appeal. Acting : Kathleen O’ Regan’s performance as the heroine is one of depth and intelligence. In several scenes she rises to emotional heights which compel admiration. Godfrey Tearle as the aristocratic city man whom she marries has a difficult part, his chivalry being difficult to accept. But he succeeds in making him a gentleman, never a prig. Unfortunately nothing is shown to prove that he tries to win his wife’s real love during their brief married life. Next to these impersonations the most interesting is that of a “ bad lot ” by Olga Lindo. First seen as the mistress of the scovindrel city man who causes the financial crash, she is afterwards the dishonest waitress and, at the close, the jewel thief. In each case she proves herself a brilliant character actress. A well selected cast shine in subordinate parts — Hubert Harben as the heroine’s clergyman-father, Mary Jerrold as the mother, Arthur Chesnev as a thief, Jerrold Robertshaw as an invalid, and many others. Production : Some beautiful pictures are introduced, the Riviera, an English village, and realistic interiors. The photography by Claude Friese-Greene is excellent. Sound : The voices are all admirably distinct. The song “ Love Sent You to Me ” is pleasing. “ Expensive Women ” ( Vitaphone on Film and Disc.) Offered by : Warner Bros. Directed by : Hobart Henley. Length : 5,548 feet. Release Date : London, March 14, 1932 ; Provinces, March 28th. Certificate: A. Type: Smart Set Sex drama, based on the novel “ The Passionate Sonata,” by Wilson Collison. Cast : Dolores Costello, H. B. Warner, Warren William, Anthony Bushell, Polly Walters, Joe Donahue. IN BRIEF : The love affairs of a fickle society girl, leading to a murder but verdict of suicide. Uninteresting story developed on unconvincing lines. Much bibulous humour by clever “ silly-ass ” comedian. Suitability : For indulgent patrons. Selling Anglo : Dolores Costello’s name. Plot: Constance Newton, an ultra-modern society girl, leads a life of frivolity and has numerous male friends with whom she flirts. Her three favourites are Hartley, a musician, Raymond, the son of a rich man, and Bobby Brandon, droll but usually drunk. She accepts the devotion of wealth with a view to matrimony until it suddenly transpires that Raymond has a wife from whom he is separated. He proves a poor creature entirely under the thumb of his father, who is determined that he shall return to his wife. Constance is confronted by Raymond, Senr., and upbraided in scathing terms. At a wild party, where liquor is plen tiful, a quarrel occurs and poor bibulous Bobby is shot by young Raymond. At the inquest his father’s influence secures a verdict of suicide. Constance turns to the musician for consolation and love. Comment : Were it not that the leading part is played by an actress of quite exceptional charm this picture would fail lamentably. As it is the characters arouse little interest and no sympathy. Constance, though delightfully vivacious, is a shallow worldling, and belies her name, being obviously incapable of constancy ; young Raymond is a worm and his father a tyrant. Bobby, in spite of his chronic weakness, appears to be the best of the circle and regret for his death is inevitable, especially as the crime appears to be objectless and goes unpunished. Acting : As stated, Dolores Costello (who has been an absentee for some time) dominates the picture. H. B. Warner plays the stern father, Warren William the musician, and Anthony Bushell the docile son. Joe Donahue gives a clever performance as Bobby. Production : The picture is beautifully staged and finely photographed. Sound : Recording excellent. There is a little piano playing. “The Reckless Hour” ( Vitaphone Sound on Disc) Offered by : F.N.P. Directed by : John Francis Dillon. Length: 6,562 feet. Release Date: February 29, 1932. Certificate: A. Type: Sex drama, based on the play “ Ambush,” by Arthur Richman. Cast : Dorothy Mackaill, Conrad Nagel, Joan Blondell, H. B. Warner, Walter Byron, Joe Donahue. IN BRIEF : The tribulations of a mannequin who loves son of wealth unwisely, but is consoled by the affection of an artist. A familiar story unfolded with much charm owing to delightful character studies, good production and strong situations. Suitability : A most acceptable picture for popular halls. Selling Angles : Dorothy Mackaill’s popularity, the chain of believable incidents and happy ending. Plot : .Margaret, daughter of a bookseller, lives with her father, mother and sister. She attends a dress salon daily and is admired by the son of a wealthy man. She accompanies him to pleasure resorts and her cravings for luxury are gratified. Her late hours worry her father, and he warns her of her jeopardy. But it is too late. The old man goes to the seducer’s rich father. The youth agrees to marry, but the girl refuses him, being indignant at her treatment. An artist friend of her lover has always admired her and she sits to him. Her father listens to a slippery company promoter, mortgages his place and becomes penniless. Ultimately, the artist proves a benefactor, and, having obtained a divorce from an absent wife, he offers Margaret marriage, and she accepts him. Comment : This is an instance of the familiar plot doing good service. Events are unfolded with much detail, though there is nothing redundant. The spectator peeps into the old bookseller’s shop and living rooms, and, thanks to the delightful acting of H. B. Warner, Dorothy Mackaill and Joan Blondell, seems to make the acquaintance of the family. But while there is an undercurrent of pathos, the director has introduced much humour, especially by Joe Donahue’s impersonation of a facetious friend. After these early scenes matters are transferred to the rich man’s mansion and the erring youngster. Interest then wanes slightly, but is revived by Conrad Nagel’s young artist, whose conduct forms a striking contrast to that of his erstwhile friend. Closing scenes are dramatic, for the old bookseller suspects that his daughter has sold herself for his sake. The knowledge that she is about to become a wife, and that they are all going to Europe, leads to a happy ending. Acting : This is in the hands of an exceptionally clever cast. Dorothy Mackaill plays the deceived heroine, Joan Blondell her witty but jealous sister, and Helen Ware the discontented mother. Walter Byron impersonates the treacherous lover, Conrad Nagel the true one, William House the company promoter, and Claude King the seducer’s father. It would be difficult to speak too highly of H. B. Warner’s bookseller. Production : There is considerable variety in the charming staging. The heroine is beautifully gowned. Sound : The voices are distinct, but in some instances harsh. “The Road to Singapore” ( Vitaphone Sound on Disc) Offered by: Warner Bros. Directed by: Alfred E. Green. Length: 6,325 feet. Release Dates : London, February 15, 1932 ; Provinces, February 29, 1932. Certificate: A. Type: Matrimonial drama, based on a story by Denise Robins and the play by Roland Pertwee. Cast : William Powell, Doris Kenyon, Louis Calhern, Marian Marsh. IN BRIEF : A nurse journeys to the East to become the wife of a doctor. After marriage, devotion to his work gives opportunities for a philanderer to supplant him. The woman leaves her husband. Conventional story made interesting by excellent acting. Suitability : For good class houses. Selling Angles): ] ,William Powell and the tropical atmosphere. Plot : While on an Eastern bound liner, Philippa’s charms appeal to Dawltry, a fellow passenger.^ She snubs him, but is interested. On