The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

September 16, 1931 THE BIOSCOPE 35 “ The Fighting Test ” {Phono Kinema Sound on Film) Offered by : Butchers. Directed by : Robert Horner. Length: 4,89:? feet. Release Date : Not fixed. Certificate : U. Type : W estern drama. Cast : Buffalo Bill, jun., Yakima Canutt, Joan Jaccard, Violet Me Kay, Jack Mower. IN BRIEF : Good production of familiar story with spirited acting, thrilling disasters and brilliant horsemanship. Suitability : Excellent where the type is popular. Selling Angles : The chases, love interest, fights, firing and stunts. Plot : An attack is made on a pay-roll car and the money disappears. Buck Allen is warned by his pal Porter that he is suspected. After confiding the girl he loves to his friend’s care, he absconds, but is hotly pursued, for a big reward is offered for his apprehension. Many hair-breadth escapes ensue, but he is captured and put in the town gaol. A garrulous ruffian causes him to think Porter knows more about the mysterious robbery than he admits. Ultimately, the treacherous man is caught with the money, and perishes in a car crash. Comment : The unjustly suspected man of trusting disposition again does duty in this story, which is, of course, a serviceable vehicle for displays of agility, strength and horsemanship. The thrills are excellent, especially the climax, when villainy meets the fate it deserves. The picture bears the stamp of reality throughout, and the criminal’s guilt is fairly well concealed from the spectator, but at the close it is bewildering to discover that the hero is really a representative of law and order. The love interest is quite good, but the usual cowboy humour, fortunately, absent. Acting: Buffalo Bill, jun., gives a performance on the usual lines, speaks distinctly, and does some fine leaping and riding. There is a considerable amount of pistol work. Yakim Canutt has a prominent part. Joan Jaccard and Violet McKay give good support. Production : Action is chiefly in the open. Some fine scenery is introduced. Sound : Recording is most excellent. Short Features “ THE FOOLISH FORTIES ” ( Ideal). 1,855 feet. Release date : Not fixed. Certificate : A. In the broadest of comedy vein we follow the adventures of a costumier whose flirtations with a gold digger and notorious crook almost lead her to the divorce court. Ford Sterling is the star. Good popular offering. “ TELLING TALES ” ( Ideal). Cinemagazine Series. 850 feet approximate. Release date : Not fixed. Certificate : U. With items quite ingloriously tied up by the commentator, this includes Cecil Alden, the great dog artist, how wax models are made, delightful pictures of the falls at Lynmouth, Olga Lindo and a new robe, and young sailors in training. “FUN ON ICE” (P.D.C.). Aesop Fable Sound Cartoon. 691 feet. Release date : November 30, 1931. Certificate: U. Crowds of grotesque creatures skating, sleighing, etc. Moderate appeal. “YOUNGER YEARS” (P.D.C.). Grantland Rice Sound Sportlight. 817 feet. Release date : February, 1932. Certificate : U. Crowds of noisy boys playing hockey, marbles, baseball, etc. Rather too long. Swimming scenes the best. “FISHERMAN’S LUCK” ( P.D.C. ). Aesop Fable Sound Cartoon. 752 feet. Release date : November 16, 1931. Certificate : U. The adventures of an angler who falls in the sea, is loved by a mermaid and plays a variety of musical instruments. Very clever and amusing. “BATTLING SILVER KINGS” (P.D.C.). Grantland Rice Sound Sportlight. 899 feet. Release date: March 14, 1932. Certificate: U. Finely photographed pictures of tarpon fishing and exciting struggle with a shark. Good for any house. “ MAKIN' ’EM MOVE” (P.D.C.). Aesop Fable Sound Cartoon. 694 feet. Release date : November 23, 1931. Certificate: U. Hilarious proceedings at an animated-cartoon studio, with presentation of picture to a noisy and appreciative audience. A brilliant and amusing bit of work. Good anywhere. “ SLOW POISON ” (P.D.C.). Sound Comedy. 1,821 feet. Release date: January 4, 1932. Certificate: U. Gleason, Gribbon, Mae Busch, etc. Farcical story of a much-in-love boxer, with abduction and fight in the ring. Excellent for the masses. “FULL COVERAGE” (P.D.C.). Sound Comedy. 1,671 feet. Release date: December 21, 1931. Certificate: U. Benny Rubin. The exciting adventures of an insurance agent. Much knockabout business and motor car smashing. Clever performance by star. “ TRAPPED ” ( Ideal). Burns Detective Drama. 943 feet. Release date: Not fixed. Certificate: A. Exciting story of suspicion and treachery among bootleggers. Remarkable for suspense values and unexpected climax. First-class of its type. “WHAT THE JIG SAW” [Ideal). 850 feet. Release date: Not fixed. Cinemagazine Series. A varied assortment of glimpses of Nora Swinburne, Stewart Rome, schoolgirls in acrobatic display, pottery making, etc. Interesting and amusing. Good anywhere. “ GRAND JUNCTION HOTEL ” ( P.D.C. ). 1,859 feet. Certificate : U. Release date : Not fixed. Burlesque melodrama produced by William Beaudine for the Hollywood Masquers’ Club, with a cast of about thirty well-known screen favourites. Inconsequent nonsense most amusingly put over. “ A BROADWAY ROMEO ” ( Paramount ). 1,276 feet. Release date : March 7, 1932. Certificate: U. Jack Benny. Amusing dialogue and love affair between a young bounder and a girl, both deceived by their sweethearts. “FAMOUS MUSIC MASTERS” (Butchers). “Mendelssohn,” 905 feet. Certificate: U. “Verdi,” 916 feet. Certificate: U. “Johann Strauss,” 601 feet. Certifiate : U. Three instalments of this most excellent series, making a strong appeal to eye and ear. In each case episodes in the lives of the great composers are staged, with excerpts from their works, well played and recorded. MARION HARRIS ( M.-G.-M .). 662 feet. Release: Not fixed. Certificate : U. With much point Miss Harris sings to piano accompaniment. “ A TOUGH WINTER ” (M.-G.-M.). Our Gang Comedy. 1,878 feet. Release : Not fixed. Certificate : U. Hal Roach’s young rascals display much energy in making toffee. Stepin Fetchit adds to the general hilarity. Excellent juvenile appeal. “ LOVE FEVER ” (M.-G.-M.). Comedy. 1,824 feet. Release : Not fixed. Certificate : U. Thelma Todd in some highly diverting burlesque love making. JOHNNY MARVIN (M.-G.-M.). 331 feet. Release: Not fixed. Certificate : U. The singer, to his own accompaniment, gives some quite pleasing songs. MILLER AND MILES (M.-G.-M.). 1,215 feet. Certificate: U. Release : Not fixed. These clever black-faced comedians give an amusing exhibition of highly coloured parochial politics. JOSEPH REGAN (M.-G.-M.). 503 feet. Certificate: U. Release : Not fixed. The popular Irish tenor scores a success with “ I’ll take you home again, Kathleen,” his voice recording well. MARION HARRIS, VOCALIST (M.-G.-M.). 520 feet. Certificate: U. Release : Not fixed. Very ordinary number, consisting of songs of no special distinction. LEO BEERS, WHISTLER AND PIANIST (M.-G.-M.). 707 feet. Certificate : U. Release : Not fixed. This artist is better as whistler and pianist than as vocalist and his songs are of the smoking concert order. “LOVE BUSINESS” (M.-G.-M.). Our Gang. 1,856 feet. Certificate : U. Release : Not fixed. The humour of the fat boy in love with the pretty school teacher. Is likely to have its appeal to children. “ BLOOD AND THUNDER ” (M.-G.-M.). Our Gang. 1,801 feet. Certificate : U. Release : Not fixed. These clever and well-trained children are seen here to the best advantage, the two little coons being the most natural actors. A popular item. “ GANGWAY ” ( Warner Bros.). 1,262 feet. Release date : Not fixed. Certificate : U. Comedy. Joe Penner. Society lady invites a facetious gangster to an entertainment. The raid by his pals fails, for he returns the stolen jewellery. “ OLD LACE ” ( Warner Bros.). 1,649 feet. Release date : Not fixed. Certificate : A. Ruth Etting. A girl turns from faithful lover to rich one. A friend shows scenes from her past as a warning. Happy ending. Much singing bv male voices. A smart short. “ WHERE MEN ARE MEN ” (Warner Bros.). 1,469 feet. Release date : Not fixed. Certificate : U. Comedy. Joe Penner. The silly Billy owner of a house finds it uninhabitable through the strife of rival families. He brings them together. Mutual destruction ensues. Much firing. “ THE SILENT PARTNER ” (Warner Bros.). 1,670 feet. Release date: Not fixed. Certificate : U. Billy Gaxton. A penniless individual pretends he has an option on some property. Much clever loquacity. Too long for its subject. New Companies Registered BROADWAY SUPER CINEMA (PENDLETON), LTD. — Public company. Registered August 31st. Capital £40,000.' Objects : To carry on the business of cinema proprietors and managers, etc. The first directors (to number not less than two nor more than nine) are : W. J. Emery, 1, Kingsford Street, Seedley, Pendleton (director of Pendleton Co-Operative Industrial Society, Ltd.) ; G. H. Munro, Beech House, Eccles Old Road, Pendleton, estate agent ; H. Potter, “ Phoeside,” Hayfield, Derbyshire, tobacco merchant ; J. T. South wood, 82, Harding Street, Pendleton, provision merchant (life directors). Qualification: 1,000 ordinary shares. Remuneration (including managing director) : £75 each per annum. Secretary : G. F. Peacock. Solicitors : Barlow Barker & Co., 1, Princess Street, Manchester. TOWER (BROUGHTON), LTD.— Private company. Registered September 1st. Capital £5,000. Objects : To carry on the business of proprietors and managers of cinemas, etc. The directors are : H. D. Moorhouse, Imperial Buildings, Oxford Road, Manchester; A. E. Hanson, Northern Assurance Buildings, Albert Square, Manchester ; O. Heywood, Rydal Mount, Belgrave Road, Oldham ; P. P. Wilson, 88, Howard Road, Leicester ; F. Thompson, 242, Wellington Road, South, Stockport ; A. Edge, Plymouth Avenue, Longsight, Manchester ; W. Thorpe, 42, George Street, Hilton Park, Prestwich. Qualification : £500 shares. Remuneration : 5 guineas each per meeting attended. Solicitor : A. E. Hanson, Northern Assurance Buildings, Albert Square, Manchester. Registered office : Imperial Buildings, Oxford Road, Manchester. ABRAHAMS CONSOLIDATED, LTD.— Private company. Registered September 7th. Capital £20,000. Objects : To adopt an agreement with A. E. Abrahams to purchase and traffic in land, house and other property ; and to carry on the business as theatre, music-hall and cinema proprietors, etc. The subscribers (each with one share) are : C. P. Staples, 8, Vyner Road, Acton, W.3, clerk ; W. J. Lovell, 199, Piccadilly, W.l, clerk. The first directors (to number not less than two nor more than five) are : A. E. Abrahams (permanent chairman), D. A. Abrahams and S. W. Dixon. Qualification : £5. Remuneration : As fixed by the company. Solicitors : Bartlett & Gluckstein, 199 Piccadilly, W.l.