Harrison's Reports (1935)

190 HARRISON'S REPORTS November 30, 1935 "Splendor" with Miriam Hopkins and Joel McCrea (United Artists, Nov. 23; running time, 76]/2 min.) This is a fairly good marital drama, with an appeal mostly to women. The production and acting are excellent. But the theme is unpleasant. Helen Westley, Joel McCrea's mother, actually induces her daughter-in-law, Miriam Hopkins, to give herself to another man, who could further her son's career. And the unpleasantness is felt more deeply because of the fact that her actions are motivated by a desire, not so much to' see her son happy, but to effect her financial security. One feels deep sympathy for Miss Hopkins, who tries to find happiness with her husband, but is prevented from doing so because of her mother-in-law's interference. The situation in which Miss Hopkins confesses to McCrea that his business success had been won, not by his ability, but by her surrender to his sponsor is touching because of McCrea's unhappiness. Of course, Miss Hopkin's surrendering herself to another man is not a commendable act, but the fact that she atones for this makes one feel sympathy for her. In the development of the plot Paul Cavanaugh sponsors McCrea's business career because of his love for Miss Hopkins, McCrea's wife. Miss Hopkins, realizing that Cavanaugh expected her to surrender herself to him, tries to convince McCrea that he is not suited for business, urging him to take up writing. But when McCrea insists that money is what he wants, she becomes enraged and telephones to Cavanaugh, asking him to give McCrea an important assignment to Mexico as part of his bargain ; she later gives herself to him. When McCrea returns she confesses and then leaves him. She obtains employment and plans to divorce McCrea. But McCrea had come to his senses and had left his family. He obtains a position as a newspaper reporter and then goes to see Miss Hopkins. He pleads for forgiveness and they are reconciled. The original screenplay is by Rachel Crothers, the direction by Elliott Nugent ; Samuel Goldwyn produced it. In the cast are Billie Burke, David Niven, Katherine Alexander, Ruth Weston and Arthur Treacher. Unsuitable for children, adolescents, or Sundays. Adult entertainment. Suitability, Class B. "Frisco Kid" with James Cagney, Margaret Lindsay and Ricardo Cortez (Warner Bros., Nov. 30; running time, 77 min.) Very good. This is another story of Barbary Coast, but superior to the United Artists version. There is human interest in it, a charming romance, and situations that hold one in tense suspense. At the same time it is a forceful melodrama, depicting realistically the heartlessness, brutality, and utter disregard for life and liberty of the frequenters of Barbary Coast. James Cagney, though their leader, is not shown practicing brutalities ; he forbids his men to kill others. But at one time he himself is forced to kill a man, in self defense. Since the victim had been a bully and had tortured others one feels that his death was for the best of the community. One is in sympathy with Margaret Lindcay, an honest, upright, and courageous woman, attempting to help others. A situation that appeals to the emotions of sympathy is that in which George E. Stone sacrifices his life to save Cagney's. The closing scenes, in which the Vigilantes are shown cleaning up Barbary Coast, are exciting: — Cagney, a sailor, while visiting Barbary Coast, is knocked out ; he recovers in time to save himself from being shanghaied. He rows ashore. Befriended by Stone, who gives him food and clothing, he decides that Barbary Coast is the place where he could make a fortune. Margaret Lindsay, owner of the town newspaper, engages Donald Woods as editor to fight the lawlessness in Barbary Coast. Cagney is introduced to Miss Lindsay by Woods, with whom he had become acquainted, and he falls in love with her at first sight. Eventually he becomes the leader of the Coast and the owner of the largest gambling establishment. Miss Lindsay falls in love with him and tries to influence him to give up that sort of business. When Wood is killed for his fearless editorials, Miss Lindsay is shocked and refuses to see Cagney, believing him to be guilty. The Vigilantes decide to take matters into their own hands and, capturing the leaders, set fire to Barbary Coast. Cagney tries to persuade his men not to shoot at the Vigilantes but to surrender peacefully, but they refuse to obey. He is arrested, convicted by the Vigilantes for murder, and sentenced to die. But Miss Lindsay, acquainting the Vigilantes with his heroism, pleads for his acquittal. She confesses that she loves him and intends to marry him, assuring them that he will become an honest business man. They free him, and Cagney is happy to know that she loves him. The story and screenplay arc by Warren Duff and Seton I. Miller. Lloyd Bacon is the director and Sam Bischoff the producer. In the cast are Lili Damita, Barton MacLane, and others. Unsuitable for children, adolescents, or Sundays. Adult entertainment. Class B. "Scrooge" with an English cast (Paramount , Dec. 18; running time, 73 min.) This British-made film with an all-English cast is a delightful entertainment not only for readers of Dickens' stories, but for almost everybody. It is particularly suitable for the holiday season because the action unfolds during Christmas. Although parts of it are quite somber, it ends on so cheerful a note that people should leave the theatre in a happy mood. The acting is excellent, the settings are realistic, and the story is a happy combination of comedy and pathos. Some of the situations appeal to one's emotions of sympathy deeply. The situation in which Tiny Tim's family grieves over his death is one of them. The story revolves around Scrooge, the skinflint, whoseonly amusement in life was to work and hoard his money. He treats his clerk heartlessly and pays him miserly wages ; and he even refuses to offer Christmas wishes to those who< knew him. He is terrified when, on Christmas Eve, the ghost of his former partner talks to him, begging him to change his ways. He tells him he cannot find peace because, while alive, he had acted just as did he. He takes Scrooge to various homes where, unseen, he observes what others were doing and saying. The scenes of love and happiness he sees make him realize how wasted was his life. He awakens Christmas morning a changed man : he gives his clerk an increase, wishes everyone good cheer, contributes to charity, and accepts his nephew's invitation to have Christmas dinner with him. The plot was adapted from the novel "Christmas Carol"' by Charles Dickens. Henry Edwards directed it. In the cast are Seymour Hicks, Donald Calthrop, and others. Suitable for all. Class A. "So Red the Rose" with Margaret Sullavan. Randolph Scott and Walter Connolly (Paramount , Nov. 22; running time, 82 min.) Excellent ! The production and acting are very good. Alterations have been made in adapting it from the novel. These have improved it, if anything. It is a stirring melodrama of the Civil War days and, without resorting to scenes of actual fighting, it portrays the horrors of war by showing its effect on one particular aristocratic Southernfamily. Some of the situations are so touching that they bring tears to the eyes. The situation in which Janet Beecher, whho had had a vision that her son had been killed, is shown going to the battlefield and finding his body moves one deeply. Miss Sullavan's performance, — her wistfulness and the tender quality of her voice, make the picture outstanding. Her courage and kindliness awakens the spectator's sympathy. In the development of the plot Miss Sullavan, whose father, brother, and sweetheart had gone to war, tries to console her mother and to help as much as she can. Her brother is killed and her father dies of wounds after he returns to his home. Her mother sets the slaves free, but one faithful slave, who had been with the family for a long time, remains with them. Invading Union soldiers, finding Randolph Scott, Miss Sullavan's sweetheart, in her home, arrest him and then burn down the house, forcing the family to live in the quarters of the former slaves. After the war the heroine, her mother, and her aunt, with their one servant, work hard in the fields and at home, trying to keep things going. There is joy in the hearts of all when Scott, whose fate was not known, returns. The plot was adapted from the novel by Stark Young. Laurence Stallings, Maxwell Anderson, and Edwin Justus Mayer wrote the screenplay. King Vidor directed it and Douglas MacLean produced it. In the cast are Janet Beecher, Elizabeth Patterson, Dickie Moore, and others. Suitable for all. Class A.