Harrison's Reports (1933)

April 29, 1933 67 HARRISON’S REPORTS “Made On Broadway” with Robert Montgomery, Sally Eilers and Madge Evans {MGM, May 19; running tune, 67 min.) Only moderately entertaining. The characters are unsympathetic, particularly Robert Montgomery, in the role of the hero, who becomes enmeshed in an affair with Sally Eilers, trusting her, when it is very evident by her actions that she is not to be trusted ; he behaves in a boorish manner towards Madge Evans, his divorced wife, when she attempts to open his eyes as to the girl’s character. It is demoralizing, too, for it shows Sally Eilers killing a man, and Montgomery, because of his influence, working up sympathy for her and procuring her freedom. Some laughs are aroused by the way in which she fools Montgomery, but the laughs do not occur often enough and for the most part the action is slow : — Robert Montgomery, a famous publicity man, is divorced from Madge Evans because she professed to be as intelligent as he was and wanted to live her own life. WTiile crossing from New Jersey to New York in a ferry he leaves his car for some air. Sally Eilers, seemingly in distress and poorly dressed, notices him and his expensive car, and then jumps into the river. ^Montgomery dives in after her and saves her. His secretary gets in touch with newspaper men and Montgomery coaches Sally as to what she is to say. But when the men arrive Sally gives them her own story — that Montgomery had fallen in and she saved him. Montgomery admires Sally’s nerve and brains and promises her a career. He brings her to Madge Evans, who fits Sally out with fine clothes, and then he puts her in the Follies. Soon she is the toast of the town, and Montgomery is helplessly in love with her. He is awakened one night by a telephone call in which Sally tells him she had shot a man and he rushes to her apartment. He telephones many important people, friends of his, for aid, and arranges Sally’s story so as to make it appear as if the man had attempted to attack her ; the truth was that she had killed him because he wanted a percentage of what she intended to get from a millionaire who had sent her love letters. Sally is freed and Montgomery goes to her apartment with her and asks for the letters. She refuses to give them to him and he takes them and then burns them. She insults him and his eyes are finally opened as to what sort she is and he leaves her in disgust. He sails for Europe and cables Madge Evans to join him. When he goes to his stateroom he finds Madge there; she had followed him because she realized they loved each other. The plot was adapted from a story by Courtenay Terrett. It was directed by Harry Beaumont. In the cast are Eugene Pallette, C. Henry Gordon, Jean Parker, and others. Not suitable for children, adolescents or for Sundays. “The Big Cage” (Universal, March 3; running time, 77 min.) Good entertainment. The main attraction is the thrill provided by Clyde Beatty, the young animal trainer, who enters a cage with twenty lions and twenty tigers, using as a means of protection only a chair, a whip, and a gun with blank cartridges. His courage in facing these animals, forcing them to go through tricks, will fill the spectator with both admiration and trepidation. A few other thrills are caused on three different occasions when one of the tigers escapes from his cage and is forced back by Beatty’s daring; also when, in the closing scenes, a storm breaks out during Beatty’s performance and causes the partial collapse of the tent, freeing the animals. The action is considerably slow, since the story is thin, and most of the action centers around Beatty and his animal act. It should, however, please those who enjoy circuses, particularly children, for the atmosphere is realistic. Human interest is injected into the story by the presence of lilickey Rooney, the child of a broken-down former animal trainer. When the father is killed by the tigers, Beatty takes care of the boy and they become pals. Some comedy is provoked when Rooney, in order to show his courage, undertakes to train a lion cub. Mild comedy is excited also whenever Cince Barnett and Andy Devine, two caretakers, get together. The romantic interest is provided by Wallace Ford and Anita Page. The plot was adapted from a story by Clyde Beatty and Edward Anthony. It was directed by Kurt Neuman. In the cast are Raymond Hatton, Reginald Barlow, Edward Piel, Robert MeWade, Wilfred Lucas and James Durkin. Good for children, adolescents, and for Sundays. Substitution Facts: Universal has changed the release number of “The Big Cage” from 5030 to 5006. On the contract 5006 is listed as “Laughing Boy,” from the novel by Oliver La Farge. It is, therefore, a story substi tution; but since “The Big Cage” is a very good picture of its kind while “Laughing Boy” would have made an “atrocious” picture, it is unnecessary for anyone of you to demand arbitration in accordance with the terms of the contract — and unwise. You should accept it. “Man Hunt” with Junior Durkin (RKO, March 24; running time, 6i]/2 min.) Although the story is not substantial enough to hold the full attention of adults, it is good entertainment for juveniles; they will sympathize with the seventeen year old hero who is so preoccupied with thoughts of being a detective that he cannot hold a regular position. Suspense is fairly well sustained throughout, particularly in the closing scenes where the hero is shown cornering the criminal, thereby avenging the death of the heroine’s father, who had been murdered by this criminal. At the same time the hero collects a reward of ten thousand dollars for having found the missing diamonds which the heroine’s father had stolen and then, remorseful, had hidden so as to return them to the police. The hero is thus enabled to help his widowed mother ; also the heroine, who had been left an orphan by the death of her father. Comedy situations are provoked by the hero and his young negro assistant, who take their detective work seriously. The plot was adapted from a story by Leonard Praskins and Sam Mintz. It was directed by Irving Cummings. In the cast are Charlotte Virginia Henry, Mrs. Wallace Reid, Arthur Vinton, Carl Gross, Jr., Edward Le Saint and Richard Carle. Suitable for children, adolescents, and for Sundays. Substitution Facts : Although you cannot pin RKO down on substitutions since neither the contract nor the worksheet contains names of authors, yet “Man Hunt,” which is released under number 31 154, is taking the place of “The Faithful Are Forgotten,” which, according to the press sheets sent out by RKO at the time their new product was announced, was to have been based on the famous Wallace Irwin novel “Lew Tyler’s Wives.” It is therefore, a story substitution. “A Bedtime Story” with Maurice Chevalier (Paramount , April 21 ; running time, 86 min.) Excellent ! It is the type of entertainment that should please all types of audiences, both young and old, for it has human interest, excellent comedy, and good acting. In addition, one year old Baby Leroy, around whom the action revolves, is so lovable and so natural that it is a joy to watch him coo, smile, and even cry. Although a rather sentimental story, it at no time becomes oversentimental. The first half, which shows Maurice Chevalier and his servant, Edward Everett Horton, entertaining and caring for the baby, will provoke hearty laughter, because of the clumsiness of the “fathers.” For instance, not knowing how to bathe the baby, Chevalier, in his pyjamas, goes into the sunken pool and then takes the baby into it. When the baby cries, Horton is forced to stand still while Chevalier sprinkles him with water to amuse the baby. All the scenes with the baby are good, particularly one where the baby, dressed in Chevalier’s pyjamas, and sleeping in a very large bed, suddenly awakens and calls for Chevalier. This scene is a treat. The story is simple. Chevalier, a Parisian, is a man about town. He is engaged to be married but this does not prevent him from having many affairs. A poor couple leave a baby in his automobile and when he arrives home he is at first shocked and then worried about the child’s parentage, particularly when Horton detects a resemblance between Chevalier and the baby. Chevalier calls for the police; but by the time the officer arrives he becomes so attached to the child that he decides to keep him. Helen Twelvetrees is engaged as the baby’s nurse and Chevalier is attracted by her simplicity. He even enjoys staying home at nights. Certain that his fiancee will love the baby, he takes the baby, the nurse, and Horton to his fiancee’s country home for the week-end. But she is enraged at the, what she calls, insult, and breaks their engagement. Chevalier does not mind since by this time he is in love with Helen. He adopts the baby legally and he and Helen marry. The plot was adapted from a novel by Roy Horniman. It was directed by Norman Taurog. In the cast are Adrienne Ames, Earle Foxe, Leah Ray, Betty Lorraine, Gertrude Michael, and others. Children will not understand some of the suggestive situations ; harmless for adolescents and for Sunday showing.