The Film Daily (1934)

Thursday, June 21, 1934 DAILY 15 « « REVIEWS of the NEW FEATURES » » II "THE TELL-TALE HEART" Du World Pictures 52 mins. POOR SCREEN FARE IN REPRODUCTION OF EDGAR ALLEN POE'S DEPRESSING DRAMA. This screen version of Edgar Allen Poe's macabre story is almost a literal translation of the somber tale, so maybe that is what is wrong with it. The word-painting by Poe of the thoughts in the young murderer's mind that made this one of his materpieces are lacking in this uninspired treatment on the screen. So it moves along very mechanically and heavily, dragging out each incident to interminable length till it becomes almost painful to watch. The somberness of the heavy tale is relieved somewhat by beautiful photography depicting some outdoor scenes as the young man takes a holiday on the river with his sweetheart. The Poe drama is followed in every detail, from the time the eyes of the old man start to weave their fantastic influence on the young man, till that night when he can find no escape from the peering eyes that seem to follow him everywhere, and he creeps downstairs and slays the old man in his sleep. A depressing screen subject, even if it had been done by a master, instead of a novice, as in this instance. Cast: Norman Dryden, John Kelt, Yolande Terrell, Thomas Shenton, James Fleck, Colonel Cameron, H. Vasher. Director, Desmund Hurst; Author, Edgar Allen Poe; Screen Play, David Plunkett Greene; Diagoluer, same. Direction, Poor. Photography, Good. "HOLLYWOOD HOODLUM" with June Clyde, Frank Albertson Regal Distributing Corp. 61 mins. NOVEL ACTION DRAMA OF HOLLYWOOD STUDIO LIFE HAS NEW SLANT THAT WILL PLEASE POP CROWDS. This feature has been built along speed lines and carries a strong suspense punch right to the finish. A very original plot keeps the interest on edge wondering what new developments are about to transpire. And they keep transpiring with regularity. Frank Albertson plays the part of a publicity representative of an independent studio headed by a gentleman who is constantly hiring and firing him. But Frank continues to make dough for him with his wild publicity stunts, so he is always hired back as soon as he is fired. This time he frames a production with an arty foreign director who plans to make a racketeer picture with a real gunman as the star. It is Frank's job to ring in an obscure actor as a killer and build him up as such with the newspaper reporters and then strenuously deny that the star is a gunman. Complications arise with a real gang leader, the girl lead (June Clyde), and the director, resulting in a snappy, thrill pix that will score. Cast: June Clyde, Frank Albertson, Jose Crespo, Tenen Holtz, John Davidson, Stanley Price, Cyril Ring, Edith Terry Preuss. Director, Breezy Eason; Author, William Bloecher; Screen Play, John Thomas Neville; Editor, Jeanne Spencer; Recording Engineer, Terry Kellum; Cameraman, Ernest Miller. Direction, Good. Photography, Okay. « « SHORT SUBJECT REVIEWS » » "Music in Your Hair" (Hal Roach Comedy) M-G-M 18 mins. Weak Billy Gilbert and Billy Blechter do an old-time German comedian act as the pals who step out to a speakeasy for an evening's fun. The excuse is that Gilbert's boy is in the show. Blechter discovers that his daughter who has been forbidden to have anything to do with night club life, is the partner of the boy in a dancing act. There is nothing new in the routine or gagging of this offering, and it reminds strongly of the old burlesque technique of the German comics of the gay nineties. Seems outdated stuff in a modern setting. "The Queen of Hearts" (ComiColor Cartoon) P. A. Powers 7 mins Very Good The world-famous fairy tale, "The Queen of Hearts," furnishes the theme for this delightful and clever cartoon done in Cinecolor. This is the best of the series to date, both in comedy appeal and technical treatment. The playing cards are on a table, and the Joker brings the King, Queen, Jack and Six of Hearts to life — with the dictum that they return to the pasteboards at the stroke of twelve. Then ensues a rapid fire comedy-drama, as the Queen makes the King his tarts and the Jack of Hearts steals them. In the midst of the ensuing battle, the clock strikes, and they all scurry back to become pasteboard images once more. Darn clever, these cartoonists of ComiColor. "Young Eagles" First Division 12-Chapter Serial Thrilling This serial deals with the adventures of two Boy Scouts who win an airplane trip to Central America with a famous air pilot. The serial has received the official indorsement of the Boy Scout organization of America, so it is a natural to tie-in with the local Boy Scout unit in your town or neighborhood. The first two episodes shown are very promising, and have the material that should bring the youngsters in — especially the Boy Scouts. The plane is wrecked while flying over Central America. The pilot is injured, and the boys start out to get help as they crash in the midst of a jungle. Adventures come thick and fast, as they start down the river on a raft. All sorts of wild animals appear, and close encounters with alligators and a jaguar keep the thrills coming. UNIQUE IN STYLE — COMPREHENSIVE IN COVERAGE — UNUSUAL IN PRESENTATION THE 1934 PRODUCTION GUIDE AND DIRECTORS ANNUAL NOW IN PREPARATION PROMISES TO BE THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE BOOK ON PRODUCTION EVER PUBLISHED IN THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY — OUT IN JULY AS PART OF FILM DAILY SERVICE TO ITS PAID SUBSCRIBERS