Harrison's Reports (1935)

82 HARRISON'S REPORTS "Rustlers Paradise" with Harry Carey (Ajax Pict., June 1 ; time, S6y2 mm.) Fast action, suspense, and human interest are combined to make "Rustler's Paradise" a good western. Harry Carey is shown joining a gang of rustlers, ruthless killers, his purpose being to get the man he was after. The spectator is kept in suspense because of the danger to him when he shows the gang that he is their enemy. There are several exciting situations. One such situation is where Carey rushes to warn a ranch owner that the gang was on its way to take over his ranch. The human interest is awakened by the meeting of Carey and his daughter, whom he had not seen ever since she was taken away from him when a baby: — For years Carey had been trailing the man who had taken his wife and child from him and finally locates him as the leader of a notorious gang of rustlers. He finds his daughter living with this man and being illtreated by him. He eventually outwits the gang, flogs his enemy, first telling him who he is, and then turns them over to the Sheriff. He makes his identity known to his daughter, who is happy to know that such a kind man is her father. Monroe Talbot wrote the story, Weston Edwards the screen play, and Harry Fraser directed it. In the cast are Gertrude Messinger, Edmund Cobb, Carmen Bailey, Theodore Lorch, and others. Suitable for children and adolescents ; also for Sundays where westerns are shown on that day. Suitability, Class A. "Break of Hearts" with Katharine Hepburn and Charles Boyer (RKO, May 3\ ; time, 80 mm.) This should entertain the masses fairly well even though the story is the old familiar triangle drama, — done many times. RKO has given it a lavish production — the acting is good, and the musical score excellent. Since the role enacted by Charles Boyer is that of an orchestra conductor, the music fits into the plot and does not retard the action. As a matter of fact it adds to the romantic quality of the film. Katharine Hepburn fits the role of the young composer very well and should win back followers by her performance. Human interest in aroused by her unhappiness when she learns of her husband's infidelity. At first one loses respect for Boyer because of his indiscretion, but the fact that he later regrets his acts and suffers because of them makes one feel more sympathetically towards him: — Boyer, a famous conductor, meets Miss Hepburn, an nnknown and poor composer. He realizes that all the other women in his life meant nothing to him, and that he really loved Miss Hepburn. They marry and are very happy, until Miss Hepburn accidentally learns that Boyer had been seeing other women. She leaves him and goes to Europe, unable to forget him. She works in a music publishing house where she is found by John Beal, Boyer's friend, who loves her, too. She is ill and Beal takes her away; she becomes intimate with him. When Boyer returns to New York and finds out what had happened to his wife he is heartbroken. She goes to Reno and obtains a divorce, and he takes to drink, abandoning his work. She is about to marry Beal, but when she learns what had happened to Boyer she realizes she loves Boyer too much to desert him. She bids goodbye to Beal and remains with Boyer, who recuperates and goes back to his work at which he is acclaimed. The story is by Lester Cohen, the screen play by Sarah Y. Mason, Victor Heerman and Anthony Veiller. Philip Moeller directed it and Pandro S. Berman is the producer. In the cast are Jean Hersholt, Sam Hardy, Inez Courtney, Helen Millard, Ferdinand Gottschalk and others. Unsuitable for children, adolescents, or Sundays. It is adult entertainment. Suitability, Class B. "Mutiny Ahead" with Neil Hamilton and Kathleen Burke (Majestic, Feb. 2; time, 60^ min.) Well produced, but only fair program entertainment. The fault lies in the plot construction, which is disconnected and at times ambiguous. The fact that Neil Hamilton (hero) at first is shown as gambling away his fortune, even stooping so low as to become connected with jewef thieves, makes him an unsympathetic character; even though he was forced into this, one does not condone such an act. However, he redeems himself May 25, 1935 eventually by displaying courage. The closing scenes, where Hamilton offsets the plans of a crew to steal the treasure which had been found by Kathleen Burke's men are exciting. The romance is. pleasant: — When Hamilton gambles away his fortune, he is approached by some crooks to join them in a plot to steal a valuable necklace; they knew that,, with his social standing, he had entree to places where they could not go. When he refuses they threaten him with death, and so he is forced to follow his instructions. He goes to a fashionable ball where he exchanges what he thinks is the real necklace with the paste imitation he had. When he leaves he is attacked by some men who take the necklace from him. He follows the men and, finding that they were members of a crew, he goes aboard their ship and hides. He finds himself a passenger on Miss Burke's boat which was on its way to seek hidden treasure; he is pleased at the prospect of seeing Miss Burke, whom he had met at the ball. When he is found she orders him to do menial work; he willingly complies with her orders and they soon become friends. When the treasure is found, the crew, led by an irate officer, mutiny and attempt to abandon the ship with the gold that had been found. Hamilton prevents them from doing this. He confesses to Miss Burke about the necklace when it is found on one of the sailors, but she tells him not to worry because the necklace he had stolen had been an imitation, too. Hamilton tells her he hasreformed; they are united. The screen play is by Stuart Anthony. Tommy Atkins is the director and Larry Darmour the producer. In the cast are Noel Francis, Leon Ames, Reginald Barlow, and others. Because of the theft it is unsuitable for children, adolescents, or Sundays. Harmless for adults. Suitability, Class D. "Age of Indiscretion" with Paul Lukas, Madge Evans and David Jack Holt (MGM, May 10; running time, 78 min.) Fair entertainment. There is too much talk and not enough action ; but, owing to a natural and touching performance by David Jack Holt, a youngster with charm and ability, one's attention is held. The situation in the courtroom where the judge attempts to separate the boy from his father, Paul Lukas, whom he adores, is touching and should bring tears to the eyes: David becomes almost hysterical at the thought of losing his father. One feels deep sympathy for Lukas because of his fine character and unwillingness to hurt others, nomatter what unhappiness he might bring to himself. Madge Evans is an equally fine character, and although it is obvious from the beginning that she would marry Lukas it pleases the audience when this event does happen. The situation where May Robson attempts to teach David how to steer a sled down a hill is amusing: — Helen Vinson, married to Lukas, complains because he does not earn enough money. Eventually she leaves him and their child, and obtains a divorce, after which she marries wealthy Ralph Forbes, who is dominated by his mother, Miss Robson. Lukas is very unhappy at first, his only joy being his companionship with his son. Madge Evans, his secretary, cheers him up by her visits but he does not realize that she loves him. Miss Robson insists that Miss Vinson obtain custody of the boy, but they find it difficult because they have no grounds for a court action. On a visit that she pays to. Lukas' country lodge, Miss Robson finds him, together with Miss Evans and David, all in their night clothes, having some innocent fun. She forces Miss Vinson to bring a court action charging Lukas as being an unfit guardian for the child. During the hearing David overhears the judge saying that he will grant custody to the mother and he rushes out weeping, saying that he will not leave his father. The makes Miss Robson realize what an evil thing she had done, and she confesses to the court; the child is awarded to Lukas. Lukas proposes to Miss Evans, and she accepts him. Miss Robson becomes their friend and is able to see David, whom she adored. The story is by Lenore Coffee, the screen play by Leon Gordon and Otis Garrett, the direction by Edward Ludwis?. Phil Goldstone is the producer. In the cast are Catherine Doucet, Berlv Merger, and others. Because of the insinuation by Miss Robson as to the affair between Miss Evans and Lukas it is unsuitable for children, adolescents or Sundays. Harmless for adults. Suitability, Class B.