The Educational screen (c1922-c1956])

18 The Educational Screen them over. Go, and be amused. (All talking) (See Film Estimates for December) [239] RIO RITA (R. K.O.) Hearing Bebe Daniels sing for the first time is a happy surprise. Hearing John Boles for the second is a delight For these two reasons alone Rio Rita would have been memorable. But you must add to these the further attractions of beautiful costuming and setting, a touch of really lovely color work, and what I suppose the people will consider the very funny scenes of Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey. For myself, I am always disposed to look with suspicion on comedians who laugh as heartily at their own jokes as these two do. But that's a minor point, and shouldn't be held against one of the most diverting musical shows of the season. (All talking) (See Film, Estimates for November) [240] THE VIRGINIAN (Paramount) In the wide open spaces with Gary Cooper, who is genuinely pleasing as the famous cowboy. The production is most satisfactory as a whole, although it has the usual tendency to slight some of the interesting bits of action and to rely upon the dialog to explain away the gaps in continuity. Then, too, I thought it particularly stingy with the scenery. Several beautiful long shots were spoiled by being snapped off short so somebody could talk. :The cast is capable, including Mary Brian whose work is much the best she has ever done, Richard Arlen, Walter Huston, Eugene Pallette, and Mary Ware. (All talking) [241] SIDE STREET (RK. 0.) It was a very good idea to have the Moore brothers, Matt, Owen, and Tom, play together in a picture, because it satisfies a general mild curiosity as to how three brothers would act if they were acting as three brothers. In the story they are Jimmy, a plainclothes policeman, John, a police surgeon, and Dennis, the best beloved of them all, who is, unknown to his family, a racketeer and rum-runner. The honor of the force and the lives of Jimmy and Dennis are involved, of course. It's nicely done, and just dripping with sentiment. (All talking) (See Film Estimates for November) [242] THE MIGHTY (Paramount) George Bancroft has a story tailored to his measure, but with more of a love interest than he usually has time for. He is a gangster, drafted for service, and dragged into the war by main force. He comes out a major and a hero. He is offered a job as chief of police of a crime-ridden city, and makes jubilant arrangements with his old gang to "clean up". But his plans fall through because — ah, you guessed it! — his better nature asserts itself just in time. Interesting but not unusual. The cast includes Esther Ralston, Dorothy Revier, Warner Oland, Raymond Hatton, Morgan Farley, and others. (All talking) (See Film Estimates for December) [243] BIG NEWS (Pathe) Robert Armstrong does a newspaper reporter this time — one of those carefree fellows who never knows whether he has a job or not. As surely as he goes on a spree and gets fired, so surely he comes back with a piece of big news and is taken on again by an indulgent editor. Then the editor is murdered and the unmanageable reporter is accused. But don't let it worry you. With the help of a few drinks, he brilliantly Sherlocks his way out of the difficulty and puts himself on the front page. Among a good supporting cast are Carol Lombard, Sam Hardy, Wade Boteler, Charles Sellon, and Tom Kennedy. (All talking) (See Film Estimates for September) [244] THE FORWARD PASS (First National) The usual football story complete with freshman initiations, co-ed vamping, brilliant last-minute play by quarter-back, and fade-out clinch. But no studying. Nobody has ever yet cracked a book in a college movie, and it's probably too late to start now. Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and Loretta Young are featured, but even with them things are pretty dull, and the football game itself can't compare with the ones they are showing in the newsreels. (All talking) (See Film Estimates for December) [245] THE KISS (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) Greta Garbo, still silent, plays the seductive woman in a highly complicated French story. She murders her husband to protect a boy who is infatuated with her, and is defended in court by her lover who obtains her acquittal by proving suicide. Interesting to some extent, and capably acted by Conrad Nagel, Lew Ayres, Holmes Herbert, and Anders • Randolph. (Silent) (See Film Estimates in this issue) [246] THE GIRL FROM WOOLWORTH'S (First National) I think you know this one about the cute little girl in Woolworth's who sings so terribly at the music counter that a wicked night club owner hears her and gives her a chance on Broadway. And you know how she's in love with an honest subway guard, and how the wicked night club man makes advances? Well, then I neeedn't say more, except to mention that the players are Alice White, Charles Delaney, and Wheeler Oakman. (All talk,ing) (See Film Estimates in this issue) (Concluded on page 28)