The Film Daily (1933)

DAILY Thursday, Jan. 12, 1933 "ISLAND OF LOST SOULS" with Charles Laughton, Richard Arlen, Leila Hyams, Bela Lugosi, Kathleen Burke Paramount 70 mins. HORROR PICTURE WITH RATHER UNPLEASANT THEME ABOUT A MAD SCIENTIST CREATING HUMAN-ANIMAL MONSTROSITIES. The spectacle of Charles Laughton, as a queer scientist, practicing surgery on animals in order to create a new type of human being, and succeeding only in turning out a fearful flock of monstrosities, probably has its appeal for horror fans, but as family entertainment it is not a pleasant order. Laughton's performance is a grand piece of work, as usual. When a shipwreck victim, Richard Arlen, is1 dropped at his island, Laughton is hit with the idea of mating him with his prize evolution, the Panther Woman, played by Kathleen Burke. Meanwhile Arlen's fiancee, Leila Hyams, comes to his rescue, and with her arrival Laughton switches his plan so as to mate Leila with one of his hairy giants. But the plan fails, followed by a revolt of the savages who make an end of the scientists in his own torture laboratory. Arthur Hohl, as, Laughton's unwilling medical assistant, also gives a fine performance. Cast: Charles Laughton, Bela Lugosi, Richard Arlen, Leila Hyams, Kathleen Burke, Arthur Hohl, Stanley Fields, Robert Kortman, Tetsu Komai, Hans Steinke, Harry Ekezian, Rosemary Grimes, Paul Hurst, George Irving, Joe Bonomo, Constantine Romanoff, Jack Burdette, Robert Milasch, Duke Yorke, Buster Brody, John George, Jack Walters, Bob Kerr, Evangelus Berbas. Director, Erie Kenton; Author, H. G. Wells; Adaptors, Waldemar Young, Philip Wylie; Cameraman, Karl Struss. Direction, Good, Photography, Fine. "MATTO GROSSO" AT CAMEO "Matto Grosso," expedition picture, opens tomorrow at the RKO Cameo. IN THE HEART OF HOLLYWOOD HOLLYWOOD'S most convenient hotel. Next to famous studios, theatres, cafes and shops . . . ten minutes from golf courses, bridle paths, etc. The Plaza Hotel is quiet, luxuriously furnished, with restful beds, glistening tile baths and showers, excellent service and cuisine, convenient parking— every modern convenience for your comfort. European plan. S2 50 and up, single. $3.50 up, double. $4. 50 up, twin beds. Special weekly and monthly rates. Look for the "Doorway of Hospitality" HOLLYWOOD PLAZA VINI ST. AT HOLLYWOOD BLVD. Barbara Stanwyck in "THE BITTER TEA OF GENERAL YEN" with Nils Asther, Walter Connolly Columbia 89 mins. LAVISHLY PRODUCED ORIENTAL DRAMA-ROMANCE CENTERED AROUND RECENT CHINA-JAP WAR. The sets built for this production are magnificent and the Oriental atmosphere created by director Frank Capra is commendable. Barbara Stanwyck has been seen to better advantage, but Nils Asther gives an outstanding portrayal of General Yen, notorious Chinese bandit. The story concerns Miss Stanwyck, who arrives in Shanghai to marry a young missionary. Before the ceremony, she accompanies the preacher on a dangerous attempt to rescue some orphans from a nearby mission. She is separated from the man and captured by General Yen. The romance that follows is filled with intrigue and suspense. The girl finally finds she is in love with the bandit, but he drinks a cup of poisoned tea before the romance becomes too interesting. Walter Connolly, as usual, gives an expert performance. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Nils Asther, Gavin Gordon, Walter Connolly, Toshia Mori, Lucien Littlefield, Richard Loo, Clara Blandick, Moy Ming, Robert Wayne, Knute Erickson, Ella Hall, Arthur Millette, Helen Jerome Eddy, Martha Mattox, Jessie Arnold, Emmett Corrigan. Director, Frank Capra; Author, Grace Zaring Stone; Scenarist, Edward Paramore; Recording Engineer, E. L. Bernds; Cameraman, Joseph Walker. Direction, Fine. Photography, Excellent. Tim McCoy in "THE WESTERN CODE" Columbia 61 mins. PEPPY WESTERN KEEPS THE THRILLS AND SUSPENSE PILING UP WITH TIM McCOY IN ACTION MOST OF THE TIME. A variation is given to the usual western theme by having the hero track down a gang of counterfeiters who have moved from their eastern haunts. Tim McCoy becomes a secret member of the Texas Rangers to perform the task assigned him. The girl's stepfather is the head of the gang, and he also has swindled the girl out of the ranch where the counterfeit gang operates. Then there is the girl's brother who gets himself in a jam, and McCoy clears him of a murder charge. The opening shots start the fireworks, with plenty of action in a fight atop a freight train. The hero shoots it out with two opponents. And from there on it is one fight or shooting match after another. It is pretty much the routine stuff as far as story goes, but the direction of J. P. McCarthy has built it up with some clever twists and unusual slants that lift it out of the usual western run. Tim McCoy works overtime and certainly gives the fans a run for their dough. Cast: Tim McCoy, Nora Lane, Dwight Frye, Wheeler Oakman, Mischa Auer, Gordon Damaine, Matthew Betz, Emilio Fernandez. Director, J P. McCarthy; Author, William Colt MacDonald; Adaptor, Milton Krims; Dialoguer, same; Editor, Otto Meyer; Cameraman, Benjamin Kline. Direction, Expert. Photography, Good. Tabloid Reviews of FOREIGN Fl LMS Theater Exploitation Firm Formed by Mintz-Chase {Continued from Parte 1) manager of Selznick Pictures. The new company will supply exhibitors at large with original and novel exploitation plans for boosting ^ attendance and box-office receipts. Mintz is general manager of the company. Chase, as general sales manager, is now organizing a sales force to handle business on a national scale. Offices have been established at 438 West 37th St.. and it is understood that other influential film interests are identified with the project. "OLIVER TWIST" AS SPECIAL "Oliver Twist," to be produced by I. E. Chadwick in conjunction with Herbert Brenon, who will direct, is not to be included in the announced group of Monogram's "Magnetic 32" for 1932-33, _ but will be released as a special. HORNBLOW AFTER MATERIAL In quest of material and prospective screen personalities, Arthur Hornblow. production executive for Samuel Goldwyn, plans a trip to Europe. He arrives in New York today from the west Coast and sails Jan. 14 to visit London and Paris. NEW BILL AT EUROPA A new German offering, "Der Hauptmann von Koepernick" ("The Captain of the Koepernick") opens Monday at the Europa. Springer-Cocalis After Four Max Cohen Houses Springer-Cocalis circuit is understood likely to take over the Max Cohen group of four houses in the New York metropolitan area. Negotiations, which originally involved only the Beacon, now embrace the Wallack on West 42nd St., the Boro Hall. Brooklyn, and the Lyndhurst, Lyndhurst, L. I. FOSTER'S TRAVEL FILM West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Norman Foster, who has just finished a role in Fox's "State Fair," is editing the 10,000 feet of film he shot while on a cruise with his wife, Claudette Colbert. He now has the travelogue footage down to six reels. NEW HAVEN STAGE SHOW OUT New Haven — Stage shows, orchestra and organist at the Paramount will be dropped by Publix on Jan. 27, according to Walter Lloyd, manager. Eddie Weaver, organist, goes to the Brooklyn Paramount. WARDEN LAWES ON AIR Lewis E. Lawes, Warden of Sing Sing Prison and author of "20.000 Years In Sing Sing," which First National is now showing, will inaugurate a weekly broadcast over NBC network beginning Jan. 22. UFA GETS BELGIAN CINEMA Antwerp, Belgium — Ufa has acquired the Odeon Cinema here. German and French talkers will be shown during alternate weeks. "N A M E N S H E I R A T" ("Marriage in Name"), German musical comedy, directed by Heinz Paul, with Evelyn Holt, Walter Rilla, Ida Wuest, et al, distributed by Foreign-American Film & Trading Corp. Shown at 72nd St. Theater. Fairly good entertainment for German audiences. Story is a romance in which the lovers are separated, when the hero marries a rich girl in order to get money to help his sister out of trouble, but finally leading to a happy finish. Music is agreeable. "HOLZAPFEL WEISS ALLES" ("Holzapfel Knows Everything"), German comedy produced by Monopolfilm, directed by Viktor Janson, with Felix Bressart, Gretl Theimer, Theodor Loos, Ivan Petrovich, Anton Pointer, et al. Shown at 79th St. Theater. A comedy and crook drama with lots of laughs and good juvenile interest through the inclusion of a clever kid actor in the cast. Well directed, with production values above the average imported feature. DOWNEY STARTING FOURTH Fourth in the Morton Downey series of short subjects which Rowland-Brice are producing goes into work Friday at the St. Moritz Hotel. In the cast are Lew Gensler, producer-composer; Irene Taylor, radio singer; the Funny-Boners, also of the radio, and George Hall and his Orchestra. Monte Brice will direct. SELETTE IN FIELD POST Marlboro, Mass. — Edward Selette, who resigned recently as manager of E. M. Loew's Strand, New Bedford, is now field manager for the i Morse and Rothenberg circuit. Before leaving New Bedford he was | tendered a farewell party by employees of the Strand and neighborhood merchants. For the time being he will be at the Pastime Theater here. EVENING CLOTHES kijADE to order. Finest imported cloths used exclusively. Finest silk linings. Hand tailored throughout. Drastically Reduced 1932 Prices i>Jjnilatto $c ^ftntland Men's Tailors 15 West 45th Street New York