The Film Daily (1936)

THE -<^3 DAILV Thursday, Dec. 3, 1936 & tt Reviews o$ the Hew TU*»s> & & "THE BOLD CABALLERO" with Robert Livingston. Heather Angel. Sig Rumann Republic 69 mins. MILDLY DIVERTING DRAMA WHOSE DIRECTION AND DIALOGUE HANDICAP ITS EFFECTIVENESS. Filmed entirely in color, this is essentially in plot an up-to-the minute version of the screen classic. "The Mark of Zorro". Whether Wells Root, director, labored under the disadvantage of having to equal or transcend the merits of the original, or was compelled to pack the story's stirring incidents into more compact footage, may appear to be irrelevant, but there is a quality to the production which somehow restrains it from reaching its potential heights. To begin with, the dialogue has a brittle, insincere ring; the settings have an unnatural atmosphere about them, and the acting gives the impression of being much less in the Hollywood manner than in the style of the legitimate stage. Root's handling of his own scenario leaves one with the feeling that either the script is at fault or his direction is. But despite obvious flaws, this feature is entertaining for the most part, and rises to exciting heights in late sequences. Audiences who like their diversion studded with beauty and action, may overlook the staccato speeches of the players and melodramatic nuances. Principals and supporting players have little opportunity to impress, because of the hurried and harried tenor of the episodes. Robert Livingston plays Zorro, the Robin Hood of the oppressed Indians in the southwest under Spanish rule. Heather Angel is the heiress of this realm, following the murder of her father, the appointed Governor. The young couple find eventual happiness in marriage after they are subjected to indignities, and face death through the treason of the Spanish soldiery. Sword-play, vigorous riding and Livingston's heroics contribute largely to patron enjoyment. Photography is adept and color good. Cast: Robert Livingston, Heather Angel, Sig Rumann, Ian Wolfe, Robert Warwick, Emily Fitzroy. Charles Stevens, Walter Long, Ferdinand Munier, Chris King Martin. Carlos De Valdez. Producer, Nat Levine Director, Wells Root; Screenplay, Wells Root Cameramen, Alvin Wyckoff, Jack Marta; Editor, Lester Orlebeck. Direction, Fair. Photography, Good. SHORTS "Give Me Liberty" (Broadway Brevity) Vitaphone 22 mins. Splendid A very impressive dramatization of the historical highlights in connection with the famous speech of Patrick Henry before the Continental Congress, which served to swing Virginia into the War of the Revolution along with the northern Colonies. Done in Technicolor, here is an outstanding short, with a tremendous emotional and dramatic punch in the fiery speech of the cele Jimmy Savo in "ONCE IN A BLUE MOON" with Nikita Balieff. Cecilia Loftus, Edwina Armstrong Paramount 72 mins. THE HECHT-MacARTHUR EXPERIMENT HITS BROADWAY AT LAST AND IS AS BAD AS REPORTED. This flight in pure fancy undertaken a year ago at the Astoria studio by the HechtMacArthur combo was shelved for good and sufficient reasons. With the announced arrival of Jimmy Savo in a stage play, the proprietor of the World theater off Broadway saw a chance to capitalize on the discarded opus, so it is being run on a double bill. We have never seen so many people get up and walk out during the running of a film. In plain words, it's terrible. Jimmy Savo is the only real actor in the cast. He does heroically, carrying on against terrific odds. But it licks him completely. The plot is such a rambling and jumbled affair that it is hard to make it sound coherent. Just as the Red Revolution breaks in Russia, the great general of the Czar makes his escape with his wife, two nieces and a nephew. They encounter Savo in the forest as they flee, Jimmy driving his circus wagon, he having lost his group of players. He mistakes the royal family for actors, and takes them along, they being all intent on reaching Paris and safety. Then into a lot of complications as the General (played by the late Nikita Balieff) tries to stir up a counter-revolution. Savo the clown carries on a whimsical romance with the Princess which is rudely shattered at the climax when he discovers she is of royal blood. There are so many far-fetched and fantastic incidents interwoven that it is impossible to classify this picture. But it certainly is not entertainment. The direction is awful, if any. The acting is likewise. Only Savo survives. The great little pantomimist couldn't be bad even under these handicaps. Cast: Jimmy Savo, Nikita Balieff, Cecilia Loftus, Whitney Bourne, Edwina Armstrong, Sandor Szabo, J. Charles Gilbert, Hans Steinke, George Andre, Jackie Borene, Michael Dalmatroff. Producers: Ben Hecht, Charles MacArthur; Directors, same; Authors, same; Cameraman, Lee Garmes. Direction, Poor Photography, Okay. brated patriot. It will stir every American heart, and is a sample of the fine work that the motion picture can do with a serious historical theme and still produce a picture with 100 per cent pure entertainment. Patrick Henry is shown in his home where his wife is giving a party. One of the men sings a patriotic song against the King, which has been pronounced seditious. The arrest of the singer by British officers follows. Later the Continental Congress is in session, and Washington is striving to bring Henry to make a speech and swing Virginia into line with the other Colonies. Henry has promised his wife to say nothing that might land him in an English prison overseas. Washington in a letter persuades her to relent for the cause of liberty, she attends the Congress, and as Henry sees her as he starts his speech, he launches into the great oration that made him famous. John Litel in the role of Patrick Henry is superb, and the long oration he delivers is one of the finest readings ever presented on the screen. The climax will bring cheers from any patriotic audience. Expertly directed by B. Reeves Eason. In the cast are Nedda Harrigan, Carlyle Moore, Jr., Robert Warwick, George Irving, Boyd Irwin, Gordon Hart, Myrtle Stedman, Shirley Lloyd, Theodore Osborn. Jefferson Machamer in "Amuse Yourself" Educational 20 mins. A Knockout A very fine novelty with the cartoonist Jefferson Machamer and his "Gags and Gals" in an arty bit of foolery. Jeff calls at the office of three eccentric partners, old men who keep him waiting in the outer office. So he follows instructions to amuse himself and brings on his troop of "Gals" with their "Gags." After being called in to see the three old partners, he stages a party, and they all go forth to make merry. Jeff introduces the different girls and their acts by sketching them quickly, and then reversing the drawing board as they come to life. Snappy, classy, and the girls are knockouts. Buster West and Tom Patricola in "Any Old Port" Educatonal 18 mins. Fast Stepping A slam-bang adventure of the two comedy dancers as gobs aboard ship, who obtain shore leave to visit a wealthy eccentric with his two beautiful daughters. There they run into some excitement as a masked robber attempts to steal the cash in the safe intended for the poor orphans. After much rushing about and some dizzy stunts, the yegg is captured and the boys are heroes in the eyes of their host and the girls. But on returning aboard ship they have to face the two marines who they tricked into visiting a tough joint, thinking they were going to meet the two charming rich girls. Done in the usual Patricola-West technique, the boys doing some fancy stepping in their taps specialty. "Touring Brazil" (Magic Carpet of Movietone) 20th Century-Fox 10 mins. Beautiful Very timely subject, with President Roosevelt now making his tour to Rio Janeiro. The beauties of Rio are seen, and the magnificent harbor. The camera then jaunts through the interior, showing a variety of marvellous views of tropical scenery that are like Fairyland. Also some unusual scenes of workers in a gold mine far underground, with all the steps of the mining operations disclosed. The subject finishes with a night shot of the harbor, with the myriad lights of the city making a gorgeous spectacle. "Cats In a Bag" (Terry-Toons) Educational 7 mins Okay The little pup has an exciting adventure when he attempts to mother the little kitties. After risking his neck with his human baby pal, they arrive home in a terrible storm, and the pooch is left outside with a nice turkey and a bottle of milk for a dinner. He takes these back to the barn where he feeds the kitties. Very lively and with a lot of cute little tricks in technique that bring the laughs. "Legend of the Lei" (Treasure Chest) Educational 12 mins. Romantic A very beautiful number in natural colors, telling the story of how the lei, the symbolic wreath that is given to departing travelers from Hawaii, came into vogue. Native players are used, with Norman Brokenshire supplying the running descriptive narration. The young princess is forced by her father to marry a prince of a neighboring island, while her sweetheart watches her depart after placing a garland of flowers about her neck. The wreath is dropped in the water by the girl, it floats to shore where her grieving sweetheart waits, and thus the vogue of the lei was born many years ago in Hawaiian native history. "Here Comes the Circus" (Broadway Brevity) Vitaphone 18 mins. Great Circus Stuff Here is a swell tabloid circus, giving the kids a little of everything they have ever seen under the big top. A barker introduces the acts, including "Poodles" Hanneford and Company, the equestrians Ray Goody, wire walker; the clowns, three of 'em, doing their nonsense that will wow the kids; Carlo's fam ous ponies. Then the finale has Capt. Proske handling his lions and tigers in a really thrilling stunt that will get the grown-ups as well as the youngsters. Here is a flashy short that has all the color of the circus. Directed by Roy Mack.