The Film Daily (1937)

THE Monday, June 7, 1937 ■S&Z1 DAILY D 'V Review <4 the Hew fiUns it it "Parnell" with Clark Gable, Myrna Loy M-G-M 1 Hr., 58 Mins. PRESTIGE PICTURE, RICHLY MOUNTED, WITH GOOD-TO-EXCELLENT B. 0. POSSIBILITIES. Set this one down in the prestige pix column, with its good-to-excellent box office possibilities predicated upon the proven drawing power of its stars, Gable and Loy, the fine fluidity with which Director John Stahl tells the historical romance, the expertly done script by John Van Druten and S. N. Behrman, the rich mounting and the not-to-be-ignored fact that there remains today an Irish question unsolved by such later developments as the Irish Free State. As to the further timeliness of the theme, the right of a man and j a woman to love regardless of the demands of politics, one need look no further than a certain French wedding of the week. The particular sources of strength of the picture are the script and the direction. To fill 118 minutes of screen time with story and yet avoid extraneous matter is a sizeable job; it is performed here with noticeable neatness and dispatch. Such incidents as are devised to give color as well as those which are introduced to fatten the original play fit smoothly, seem vital, essential. Stahl has seen fit to guide the action with restraint, avoiding both heroics and melodramatics. Audience sympathy should be heightened as a result; there is a naturalness which makes it the easier to comprehend motivation. And if ever motivation was the key, it is here. The picture opens with Parnell's visit to America, closes with his rejection by the Irish Party in Parliament and his death from a heart attack. The two events span his romance with Miss Loy (Katie O'Shea), unloved wife of Alan Marshal, a fortune-hunting schemer whose suit for divorce spells final tragedy for the Irish home rule cause and Parnell. While naturally emphasis is upon Irish politics, the romance is substantial and well handled. An example: Miss Loy is instrumental in producing the evidence that clears Gable of complicity in the Phoenix Park murders. On the performance side, in point of character delineation the supporting cast is strongest. Gable is more Gable than Parnell, yet even that, considering the box office, is likely to be in the picture's favor. Miss Loy, beautiful, appealing, carries more conviction. But the ablest work comes from Edna May Oliver, Billie Burke, Donald Crisp, Donald Meek, Montague Love, Alan Marshal and a former legit star, Brandon Tynan, the latter as O'Brien making a "bit" memorable. The photography is tops. Cast: Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, Edna May iver, Edmund Gwenn, Alan Marshal, DonCrisp, Billie Burke, Berton Churchill, __nald Meek, Montagu Love, Byron Russell, Brandon Tynan, Phillis Coghlan, Neil Fitzgerald, George Zucco. Director, John M. Stahl; Author, Elsie ten, S. N. Behrman; Editor, Frederick Y. Smith; Cameraman, Karl Freund. Direction, Brilliant. Photography, Tops. "The Great Gambini" with Akin Taniroff, Marian Marsh Paramount 70 Mins. (HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW) DIFFERENT AND HIGHLY INTERESTING MYSTERY PIX WITH GRAND COMEDY SENSE. Around a most talented gentleman, one possessing the qualities of a mystic, magician, ventriloquist and lock expert, the writers have concocted a somewhat different and highly interesting mystery, which, with its grand comedy sense, makes it a top-flight program production. As the Great Gambini, Akim Tamiroff gives the role subtle charm, which, plus his tricks, makes the character a magnetic personality. In the role of a fluttery senseless female, Genevieve Tobin is next in line for honors. Her antics gain a lot of laughs. A couple of dumb detectives William Demarest and Edward Brophy, also contribute much to the show's comedy. Marian Marsh, John Trent and Reginald Denny perform capably in regular roles, and Alan Birmingham gives a fine portrayal of the nervous valet upon whom suspicion is early directed. To Charles Vidor, the director, should go a lot of credit for the excellence of this production. He has injected those little touches which build situations and at the same time he sets a tempo, which is lively and fast moving. Frederick Jackson wrote the story and he, Frank Partos and Howard Irving Young developed the screenplay. Their mystery will keep the guessers guessing throughout, and the affair is so enjoyable as it unravels that the identity of the killer becomes an incidental item. From its looks, B. P. Schulberg has spared no expense on this picture. Answering questions which is a part of his act, Gambini (Akim Tamiroff) tells Marian Marsh that she will not marry Roland Drew on the day planned, which is the next day. John Trent, a suitor, and Reginald Denny, her father, do not like Drew. When the latter is found dead, suspicion centers on them, on Alan Birmingham, Drew's valet, and there are aspersions cast on Marian. Since Tamiroff has made the mentioned statement he feels it necessary to join the detectives, Demarest and Brophy, in clearing up the mystery. He is going along in great style when discoveries make him a suspect. He confesses to the crime which he has committed in revenge because years before Drew has wrecked his home. Cast: Akim Tamiroff, Marian Marsh, John Trent, Genevieve Tobin, Reginald Denny, Roland Drew, William Demarest, Edward Brophy, Alan Birmingham, Lya Lys. Producer, B. P. Schulberg; Director, Charles Vidor; Author, Frederick Jackson; Screenplay, Frederick Jackson, Frank Partos, Howard Irving Young; Cameraman, Leon Shamroy; Art Director, Albert D'Agostino; Editor, Robert Bischoff ; Sound, Jack Goodrich, Louis Mesenkop; Musical Director, Boris Morros. Direction, Excellent Photography, A-l. "African Holiday" Harry C. Pearson 58 mins. FINE PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD OF AFRICAN HUNTING TRIP INCLUDES UNUSUAL SHOTS. Here is a jungle film that has not a single hoke scene in its length, and impresses with the sincerity of the entire adventure. That is because it was taken by a sportsman, Harry C. Pearson, accompanied by his wife, and they made the photographic record for their private collection. Friends persuaded them to give it public showing. The editing job is very fine, and the entire trip is presented with smoothness and a fine contrast of thrill scenes with more subdued views of the life of natives, of unusual shots of wild animals grazing peacefully. Several of the sequences depict scenes presumably never before caught by a motion picture camera. These include the giant Latukas, a tribe whose smallest member is seven feet in height; a closeup view of the okapi, a rare animal never seen alive in this country; a rather gruesome blooddrinking ceremony as a member of the savage Masai tribe is made a warrior as he kills the ceremonial bullock. Probably the highlight of the film is the sensational depiction of the mystic sacred snake dance by the strange cult whose leader possesses the secret of an antidote to poisonous snake bite. This is injected in them before the ceremonial dance. Then the poisonous cobras, puff-adders and black mombas are thrown into the circle, and the dancing fanatics actually tempt the reptiles to bite them. A close-up is shown of a cobra striking the leg of one man. There are many more interesting and unusual scenes, such as — reputedly — the largest number of lions ever seen before a motion picture camera, a pack of wild African dogs, and numerous and varied sequences showing large herds of rare animals. The scenic shots also are very unusual, notably that of the famous rock gorge known as Murchison Falls, the seldom photographed tops of the Mountains of the Moon forever shrouded in mist, and the snow-covered peak of Mount Stanley. Narrated, produced and photographed by Harry C. Pearson. SHORTS Rufe Davis in "Sound Effects" (Broadway Brevity) Vitaphone 22 mins. Real Musical Novelty Good novelty number, with Rufe Davis, the sound effects man, putting on practically a one-man show. Rufe is discovered running an amateur radio station in his barn down in the hill billy country. He broadcasts his imitations to the neighbors, who all neglect their work to listen every day. A radio team known as The Lovebirds (Irene Delroy and Rodney McLennan) flying to a broadcast, are forced down near the barn. Rufe arranges for them to broadcast on a relay from his set, while he furnishes all the sound effects. The final sequences have Rufe visiting the radio entertainers in New York, where they "Border Phantom" Starring Bob Steel Republic 58 mins. MYSTERY ATMOSPHERE GIVES SUSPENSE TO OTHERWISE PATTERN WESTERN. { To the tune of resounding fisticuffs, Bob Steel overcomes his multiple enemies. In this instance his opponents are smugglers of Chinese from Mexico into the U. S. When the hard-riding hero arrives on the scene of action, he finds a pretty girl, Harley Wood, mourning the death of her entomologist uncle who has been murdered by the gang. The reason for their destroying the scientist was selfpreservation, because he knew of their racket and how it was operating. Steel goes after the culprits hammer and tongs, eventually bagging the lot, including the member guilty of slaying the girl's uncle. In true romantic fashion he evolves from the status of her protector to that of her ardent lover. Despite its being patterned along quite familiar lines, the story holds interest, chiefly through the handling of the suspense motif. This is sustained by copious resort to much of the atmosphere one finds in a mystery play. Action, for the most part, centers around the deserted house, in the basement of which the Chinese immigrants are secreted by a suave, philosophical oriental who is in cahoots with a neighboring rancher who ostensibly raises pigs, but whose real function is to drive his Chinese-laden wagon across the Rio Grande. Average western fans will doubtless enjoy this feature, for it is a swift-moving affair with satisfactory situations. Direction is up to standard as is the photography. Cast: Bob Steel, Harley Wood, Don Barclay Karl Hackett, Horace Murphy, Miki Mor'ita Perry Murdock, Hans Joby, Frank Ball. Producer, A. W. Hackel; Director, S Roy Luby; Author and Screenplay, Fred ' Myton; Cameraman, Jack Greenhalgh; Editor, Roy Claire. Direction, Standard. Photography, Ditto. show him life in the night spots. Directed by Roy Mack. "Gateway to Africa" (Colortour Adventure) Vitaphone 10 mins Vivid Travel Film A highly interesting travel film by E. M. Newman, who digs up some unusual and novel sights in Morocco. Starts with the city of Fez, the capital. The palace of the Sultans is shown, close-up views of the marvelous scroll work done by native artisans. Then to the holy city of Muliebris, and the native markets as the merchants sell their wares. Concludes with the strange sight of craftsmen seated on the street, working old automobile tires into shoes and water buckets, while over in the market place the jugglers and dancers entertain the idlers. Narration by Howard Claney.