The Film Daily (1931)

THE Sunday, June 7, 1931 ■sm DAILY n Billie Dove in "The Lady Who Dared" with Sidney Blackmer, Conway Tearle First National Time, 59 mine. FAIRLY ENGROSSING DRAMA OF LOVE AND INTERNATIONAL SMUGGLERS. RATHER POINTLESS STORY. ACTING BELOW PAR. Lacking any decisive punches in slory, which doesn't seem to have any definite objective, and acted without distinction except for an occasional flash by Conway Tearle, this concoction is not likely to stand up \ery well before analytical audiences. It concerns a U. S. diplomat's wife who is neglected by her busy husband and unwittingly becomes entangled with a gang of smugglers. The master brains of the outfit, played by Tearle, falls hard for her, but he is forced to be an accessory in compromising the wife so that a photograph of the incident can be used for bargaining purposes. In the end, however, he helps her to recover the damaging picture, and also gives himself up to her husband in return for his promise not to look into a certain room of the smuggler's suite in which the woman happens to be hiding. The straying wife, then returns to her dull husband, with the gallant c"iuge:Ier getting free. Cast: Billie Dove, Conway Tearle, Sidney Blackmer, Judith Voselli, Cosmo Kyrle Bellew, Ivan Simpson, Mathilde Comont. Director, William Beaudine ; Author. Kenneth J. Saunders ; Adaptors, Forrest Halsey, Kathryn Scoal ; Dialoguers. same; Editor, Leroy Stone ; Cameraman, Tony Gaudio. Direction, Fair. Photography, Good. "Five Year Plan" Amkino Time, 105 mins. INTERESTING PHOTOGRAPHIC ACCOUNT OF PROGRESS OF SOVIET FIVE YEAR PLAN. STRICTLY A NEWSREEL DOCUMENT. This is a photographic record of the progress of the Russian Five Year Plan prepared by the Soviet government, and must be accepted as strictly propaganda. There is no basis on which to judge the merits of the plan as such, for of course it presents everything in the most favorable aspects. What lies in back of it, or what has happened detrimental to the Plan which of course they have not presented, is a matter for individual speculation. But as a record of the activities in various basic industries such as steel, coal and oil, and the agricultural development, especially in wheat production, it certainly makes a very interesting and graphic newsreel. It shows a tremendous activity in all parts of Rus>:a, with gigantic -construction of mills, hydro-electric plants, etc., in progress, as well as actual operation of factories already completed. The announcer explains all the scenes in English, and to those interested in the subject, it will prove worth the one hour and a half it takes to sit through the show. But for the average film audience out for purely entertainment, it is liable to prove repetitious and a bore. Strictly for selected audiences. Direction, satisfactory. Photography, good. "Liebe Auf Befehl" ("The Command to Love") Universal Time, 80 mins. GERMAN VERSION OF STAGE PLAY AND FILM DRAGS WITH SLOW ACTION BUT IS WELL ACTED. This German version of the well known stage play, "'The Command to Love," follows the original in almost every detail, and may prove fair entertainment for German audiences, although the first half drags heavily. It snaps up in the latter half, and proves just a mildly amusing light comedy. The story concerns a handsome young attache to the Ambassador of a mythical European country stationed in diplomatic headquarters of another mythical country. His Ambassador prevails upon him to make love to the wife of the war minister of the other country, hoping through her influence to negotiate a favorable treaty. The complications arise from the fact that the Ambassador's wife and the attache are carrying on an affair, and this forms the basis of the action. It is pretty sophisticated fare, and should prove of interest to German audiences with the excellent calibre of the acting, if nothing else. Cast: Johannes Riemann, Olga Tschechova. Tala Bircll, Arnold Korff. Hani Junkermann, Paul Weigcl, Albert ContL Directors. Ernest Larmmlr, Johannes Riemann; Authors, Rudulph Lothar. Fritz Gottwald; Adaptors, Dr. Riedlich, Johannes Riemann ; Dialoguers, same ; Editor, not listed ; Cameraman, Charlei Stunar ; Recording Engineer, C. Roy Hunter. Direction, Fair. Photography, Good. Ken Maynard in "The Two Gun Man" Tiffany Time, 60 mins. FAST ACTION WESTERN WITH MORE THAN THE USUAL SUPPLY OF SHOOTING AND FIGHTING . KEN MAYNARD DELIVERS STRONG. Looks like a director's picture, and Phil Rosen as such should collect a lot of the credit for the clever touches that keeps this one going all the way from the opening shot. Jack Natteford supplied an action plot, with plenty of twists and surprises that build the suspense to the final showdown. Ken Maynard and his horse, Tarzan, are in action most of the time, and so it can be rated as an above-average western that should please the fans and send them out perfectly satisfied. It's the old formula, but done with intelligence and a different slant that makes it seem like new material. Ken Maynard as a deputy marshal under cover, gets a job with his side kick on the ranch owned by the girl's father. He is after evidence to land the head of a cattle rustling gang who are operating as a big cattle company, and making it tough for the independent ranchers. Good characterizations and -izzling gun play and battles make this one plenty hot. Cast: Km Maynard, Lucille Powers, Nita Marfan, T.afe McKee, Murdock MacQuarrie. Charles Kins, Tom London, Walter Perry, Will Stanton, William Jackie. Ethan Allen. Director: Phil Rosen; Author. John F. Natteford : Adantor. Earle Sncll : Dialogues not credited ; Editor, not credited ; Cameraman, not credited ' Direction, snappy. Photography, good. © PRESENTATIONS © By JACK HAR ROWER GORGEOUS ROXY SHOW IN CINDERELLA VEIN The stage show at the Roxy has been built to reflect the atmosphere of the Cinderella motif in the feature picture, "Daddy Long Legs." It is very elaborate and has been gorgeously handled in all departments. It is presented in two scenes. The first, "A Boudoir," shows Patricia Bowman as Cinderella, waiting as the little slavey on her two gorgeous sisters, who are getting dressed to go to the Prince's party, where they appear as singers. The second scene, "Prince Charming's Garden," has a very elaborate and beautiful set, with the orchestra in the background. Several specialty acts are introduced, including the Three Kings, fast steppers, and Yeichi Nimura. Viola Phifo and Alida Vane are Cinderella's sisters, and Vincent Dimitry is Prince Charming. Cinderella appears as the danseuse, and wins the heart of the Prince. The final scene shows the commencement of the wedding ceremony. The presentation employs the ballet, the chorus and the Roxyettes. The latter put over two very splendid routines in gorgeous costumes. It's a swell show, done with the usual Roxy class. TED LEWIS HEADLINES STAGE SHOW AT CAPITOL Ted Lewis and his Musical Klowns hold the stage at the Capitol this week in a 40-minute act which is interspersed with two dance numbers by the Chester Hale Girls, a buck and wing by Lewis' "shadow," and a "gigolo" number by a dancing couple. Lewis appears in his familiar get-up directing his Klowns, who sport new silk suits. "The Peanut Vender" is the featured number, during which Lewis hands out bushels of peanuts to the audience. The Chester Hale Girls present an evecatching "rumba" as a colored boy a peanut stand across the stage, meanwhile dancing some snappy <=tep^. Several other numbers, including "Gigolo" and "St. re played bv the band — and bv Lewis on his clarinet. A finale bv tile Chester TIale C,\vU. in feathered costumes, completes the tation. Previous to the revue, Yasha Bunchuk, celebrating hi ond anniversary as director of the Capitol orchestra, directs his musicians in "Overture of Overtures," one of his own composition"!. VALLEE AND GILDA GRAY HEADLINE PARAMOUNT BILL Rudy Vallee and Gilda Gray are double-featured on the Paramount stage this week. The former R plenty of applause, though not much as at the heighth of his popularity, and Miss Gray doesn't go so well. Both her vocalizing and dancing didn't arouse much applause at the opening matinee. Vallee does a good job with his megaphone singing, offering "Whistling in the Dark," "Katy from Kansas City" and other numbers. An amusing blackface sketch, involving African golf, is presented by Harrison and Elmo. The Three Blue Blazes dance passably well and the Bobby Sanford Girls do the ballet work. Princess, Toronto Coming Down Toronto — Wrecking of the Princess, which the Toronto City Council is buying for approximately $400,000, to make way for the extension to the city front of University motor boulevard, has started. New Haven Charter New Haven, Conn. — Popular Pictures Corp. has been chartered with Paul Di Stasio as president and treasurer, Jerry Di Stasio, vice-president and Carlo Piazza, secretary, all of New Haven. Paid-in capital totals $1,000. The St. Charl aries ON THE BOARDWALK AT NEW JERSEY AVENUE Atlantic City k mm A SMART HOTEL IN AMERICAS SMARTEST RESORT Haadqturttn for Film W orUti sdirs. (wider*, comfort, lounhip. ' tuurpaued Frutch um/