The Bioscope (Oct-Dec 1931)

November 11, 1931 THE BIOSCOPE 19 all will be well. A hideous and uncouth creature purchases a revolver and books three stalls for a theatre. He also rings up Benedik, who, at the moment, is absent from his office. In the evening the creature calls at his private residence. Shortly afterwards shots are heard and Benedik’s dead body is discovered. The deceased was in the house alone, the servants having the evening off (being recipients of theatre tickets from an unknown source). No doubt is entertained as to the guilt of the repulsive stranger, who has disappeared. The tragedy brings the Rynox affairs to a head, but Tony is able to inform the creditors that his father’s life was insured for an amount sufficient to cover all liabilities. A difficult task confronted Michael Powell in adapting for the screen this sensational story of a man who stages his own suicide. In one respect he has triumphed, for he succeeds in riveting the attention of his audience and leaving the mystery unsolved to the close. In other ways he has not been so successful, for the story is unfolded somewhat spasmodically and there are many unexplained happenings. Though Stewart Rome’s make-up as the repulsive stranger is so grotesque as to be comical, it is certainly the picture’s outstanding asset, and, as an achievement of concealed identity, must be recognised as extraordinary. He gives a sound performance as the financially involved Benedik. Tony, the son, is pleasingly played by John Longden. The love interest is not strong, Dorothy Boyd’s part being a subordinate one. ANALYSIS Story and Dialogue Direction .... Acting Recording and Photography General Appeal .... 10% oat of 20% 10% „ 20% 17% ,, 20% 15% „ 20% 12% „ 20% 64% „ 100% I J *“ Dr. Josser, K.C.” Offered by: Pathe. Produced by: B.I.P. Directed by : Norman Lee. Length : 7,682 feet. Release Date : April 11, 1932. Certificate: V. Recording : R.C. A. on film. THE CAST Ernest Lotinga, Jack Hobbs, Molly Lamont, Arnold Bell, Fred Rex, Harold Wilkinson Suitability : Hearty nonsense for popular halls. with Jack Hobbs as the husband and Molly Lamoirt in the role of the prominent. wife being the most ANALYSIS Story and Dialogue 10% out of 20% Direction ... 14% 20% Acting 15% 20% Recording and Photography 17% 20% General Appeal 15% 20% 71% 100% H. M. “ Battling With Buffalo Bill ” Offered by : U niversal. Produced by : Henry MacRae for Carl Laemmle, Junr. Directed by: Ray Taylor. Length : Twelve Two-reel Episodes. Release Date : January, 1932. Certificate: U. THE CAST “ Buffalo ” BiU Cody Tom Tyler Jane Mills Lucile Browne Dave Archer Rex Bell John Mills Wm. Desmond Jim Rodney Francis Ford Scout Jack Brady Yakima Canutt Chief Thunder Bird Chief Thunder Bird Suitability : Excellent for juveniles and working class patrons. This stirring serial is concerned chiefly with a little Western settlement and the rivalry of redskins in neighbouring territories. A ruffian, who attempts to fan the flame for his own advantage, is resolutely opposed by Scout Cody, known as Buffalo Bill. Fighting is incessant, while the stentorian exhortations, cheers, whooping, and gun fire keep excitement at fever pitch. Tom Tyler is well made-up as the accepted hero of penny dreadfuls and rides, fights, and distinguishes himself as a marksman. Support is of the usual type. Chapter 1. — “ Captured by Redskins,” 1,613 feet. Chapter 2. — •“ Circling Death,” 1,589 feet. Chapter 3. — “ Between Hostile Tribes,” 1,424 feet. Chapter 4. — “ The Savage Horde,” 1,416 feet ANALYSIS Story and Dialogue 5% out of 20% Direction .... 10% ,, 20% Acting 10% ,, 20% Recording and Photography 15% „ 20% General Appeal r.. 15% ,, 20% 55% „ 100% “ Mother and Son ” Offered by : Ideal. A “ Monogram ” Production. Directed by : J. Me Hardy. Length: 6,300 feet. Release Date : Not fixed. Certificate : A . Recording : Western Electric Sound on Film. THE CAST Faro Lil Clara Kimball Young Jeff Payton Bruce Warren Joe Conners Gordon Wood Maurine Winfield Mildred Golden Mr. Winfield John Elliott Suitability : Sound programme booking to play with lighter fare. Faro Lil has brought up her son Jeff in ignorance of the fact that her money had been made in a gambling hell. At the time he reaches manhood the woman loses her capital. Persuaded by an old friend, she starts an establishment at Reno. Jeff, a banker friend, and his daughter arrive on a visit, and complications arise. They play at the tables and a breach occurs between mother and son. The banker discovers her past and present and insults her. During a financial crash he is ruined and attempts suicide. Ultimately, disgust with the life makes Lil pack for departure, after reconciliation with the contrite Jeff. The strong family resemblance between stories of gambling is, in this case, lost sight of by excellent emotional acting, sensational incidents and much card playing. There is a big situation when the heroine and the banker sit down at the tables as rivals and she taunts him with being as much a gambler as herself. Though it is not stressed, one has the impression that the author agrees with Lil when she asserts “ It’s a sucker’s game.” A little brightness is introduced by Jeff’s love affair, but there is no humour. Clara Kimball Y oung’s performance as Lil dominates the picture, the mother love interest irradiating the story. Bruce Warren plays Jeff with much sincerity, and several minor parts are well filled. Staging is excellent and the recording good. ANALYSIS Story and Dialogue Direction .... Acting Recording and Photography General Appeal .... 10% out of 20% 16% ,, 20% 18% ,, 20% 15% ,, 20% 16% ,, 20% 75% „ 100% I. J. What is, in essence, a long-drawn-out music hall sketch rather than a story film, sees Ernie Lotinga in his usual role of facial contortionist and dispenser of amusing gags. The story is of the slightest, and though rather too complicated to give in detail may be followed with ease by the most unsophisticated of patrons. Its greatest fault lies in the fact that the collaborators, Lotinga and Norman Lee, have carried it to excessive length. In view of this many may find it tedious, though this will not apply to those fond of comedy in its broadest sense . Jimmy Josser steals a lady’s handbag, and finding an incriminating note inside decides to try a little blackmail. Fortune sends across his path the woman’s husband, who he discovers is trying to shield someone. With everything ripe for a good haul Jimmy enters the O’Neill household and is passed off on the wife (Molly Lamont) by an agitated husband as an expected visitor. This is the start of a whole series of arrivals who become involved and are accepted by the wife as being somebody they are not. One is the woman from whom O’Neill is trying to save his pal, and another an old convict associate of Jimmy’s who proves to be a smarter man than he and decamps with the money for which Jimmy has worked. Peace is finally restored when the vamp is proved a bigamist, being the wife of both Jimmy and his friend, who have assumed the role of lawyers, and who bring relief to a harassed couple. Ernie Lotinga is, of course, the life and soul of the film, and his most unsubtle humour brings with it plenty of hard work. Others do quite well I J Dorothy Bouchier and Joseph Schildkraut in “ Carnival,” the W. & F. release now doing big business at the Tivoli Bob Custer Series Offered by : EquityBritish. Directed by : J. P. McGowan. THE CAST Bob Custer Vivian Ray Phyllis Bainbridge J. P. McGowan Bud Osborne Hank Bell Suitability : For the uncritical. These films are old and the quality of the prints available poor. A musical score has been added, but the recording is not on a high level, while the music chosen is unsuitable. “ O’MALLEY RIDES ALONE.” 4,770 feet. Certificate : U. Release date : Not fixed. Two Mounties interrupt a hold-up and attempted murder. One only is seen, the other hides his identity to trap the killers. By permitting the villain to discover his suspicions, the disguised Mountie forces him to reveal himself. “ CODE OF THE WEST ” 4,775 feet. Certificate : U. Release date: Not fixed. An old station-master is suspected of thefts, whereas the real culprit is the owner of the local dance hall. The arrival of a representative from an insurance firm results in much fighting and the unmasking of villainy. “ PARTING OF THE TRAILS.” 4,850 feet. Release date : Immediate. Certificate : U. Rambling Raymond (Bob Custer) and his henchman meet a millionaire out on the spree. The old gentleman’s daughter offers a big reward for anyone who can find her father. After a