FilmIndia (1940)

GUIDE TO FOREIGN FlliIRS it it it it Don't miss this one. ifitif Very good. it it Good, if you must. it Poor. ( Follow our star-rating, if you want value for your money. ) * -THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (R. K. O.) ***GULLIVER*S TRAVELS (Paramount) DRUMS ALONG THE MOHAWK (20th Century Foxi Featuring: Claudette Colbert and Henry Fonda. If you want to see two good exciting reels in a picture, see this one. These reels are the last ones. Claudette Colbert is the hysterics all the time for no earthly reason and her performance naturally looks ridiculous. The outdoor scenes taken in natural colours are beautiful. There is the odious flag sentiment in the picture and it gives the picture a purpose besides entertainment. THE HOUSEKEEPER'S DAUGHTER (United Artists) Featuring: John Hubbard, Joan Bennett, Adolphe Menjou and George Stone. Excellent — that one word ought to describe this murder cum comedy melodrama. It is no doubt very entertaining, but it is in addition a really intelligent production. Dialogues and situations are cleverly polished to create a comedy atmosphere. The picture has to be seen twice to pick up its full content. By all means see it. DANCING CO-ED (M. G. M.) Featuring: Lana Turner and Ann Rutherford. A good artiste wasted on a rot. ten story. That is what I would think of the exploitation of Lana Turner. Lana dances a bit, but that is not enough to put over a picture with a silly unconvincing story. The story being based on a deception theme which is so obvious and no secret, fails to hold the interest. * LAMBETH WALK (M. G. M.) Featuring: Lupino Lane. It is a British made comedy with broad humour and slang also "Made In Great Britain." Needless to say that the humour is lost on the audiences. The slang and occasional suggestiveness make It unsuitable for children. Featuring: Charles Laughton, Maureen O'hara, Edmund O'Brien and Sir Cedric Hardwick. Directed by: William Dieterlie. It is a picture that has just missed its mark. It is thrilling and spectacular but it is not great. Hugo's classic is still a better book than R. K. O.'s film version. At the end, it all looks like a big row over a girl. So much has been made of Esmeralda, the gipsy girl, that the screen writers have forgctton to depict the true atmosphere of the tyranny of the nobles, of the suppression of the gipsy aspirations for a place under the Sun and of the vascil. lating temperament of the King — which atmosphere was so much essential to motivate the incidents and the climax in the story. As it is the picture has become a romantic story of a gipsy girl with Paris in the fifteenth century as its background. In spectacular effects, however, Dieterlie has beaten De Mille. Laughton is at his best and Maureen O'hara is certainly a good find. Forgetting our exception to the treatment of the story Dieterlie has beautifully directed the material in hand. Certainly a picture to see by adults. Not suitable for children. * DESTRY RIDES AGAIN (Universal* Featuring: Marlene Dietrich and James Stewart. It is a pity that a popular artiste like James Stewart should be wasted on a cheap thriller like this. It is a story of drinking, gambling and cheating, in which Dietrich is also a pawn. Shootings and sheriffs, murders and threats, robbing and jail breaking and then again shooting. It is a fast picture with some suggestive scenes and becomes therefore un. suitable for children. 50 Here is a beautiful TechnilUlour cartoon which makes a satisfying entertainment, eminently suitable for all children! The comedy element in this famous tale is an improvement on Snow White's witch and children ought to enjoy this cartoon thoroughly, because there is no frightening aspect anywhere. The ideas are original and the action is fast. The story is gripping and the adults wont waste their time if they see it. * THE SECRET OF DR. KILDARE (M. G. M.) Featuring: Lew Ayres, Lionel Barrymore and Laraine Day. This is the third in the Kildaire series. It is as usual well-produced, but the story this time is rather weak in incidents. It is however a chaste entertainment and quite a good thing to see. Pictures Unsuitable For Children ♦ | "Lambeth Walk" (M. G. M.) ♦ ! "Day-Time Wife" ! { (20th Century Fox) j | "Destry Rides Again" | 1 (Universal) J I "Hunchback of Notre Dame" ! j (R. K. O.i } DAY-TIME WIFE (20th Century Fox) Featuring: Tyrone Power, Linda Darnell and Warren William. The title of the picture is more attractive than the fare. The producers seem to rely on Tyrone Power's personal popularity to make money in this one. The plot is a poor rehash of the eternal triangle theme and fails to grip the attention of the audience. The whole thing sounds stupid and unconvincing. Linda Darnell as the loyal wife has, however, given a good performance. Power fails to impress. The picture is not suitable for children.