Harrison's Reports (1938)

54 April 2, 193a "Let's Make a Night of It" with June Clyde and Buddy Rogers (Universal, [British-made], March 25; time, 66 min.) A fair program musical comedy. Its appeal will be directed mostly to young folk who enjoy popular music. It was produced in England, and the players, with the exception of June Clyde and Buddy Rogers, are not well known here. Except for lavish sets, there is nothing about it that is particularly outstanding. The picture consists of a series of musical and dancing numbers, all held together by a thin story. As a matter of tact, the almost continuous playing oi jazz music becomes a bit tiresome. Six bands take part in the proceedings ; but since they are not as well known here as they are in England their presence in the picture won't arouse much excitement at the box-office. The typically English comedy falls somewhat Hat. .Rogers and Miss Clyde put over their numbers fairly well, and make a pleasant romantic team : — Rogers, a former band leader, reduced to the position of waiter at a fashionable resort hotel, falls in love with Miss Clyde, daughter of wealthy Fred Emney and Iris Hoey. He tries his best to win her attention, even following the family when they leave for London. Having learned that Emney, unknown to his family, had become financially involved in a night club, Rogers appeals to him for a job. He is engaged, and soon makes it the most successful club in town. In the meantime, Emney 's wife, unknown to him, purchases the down-and-out night club next door to his ; she had been duped by a fake Count, who, with his partners, had run away after she had paid over the cash. The police raid both places, arresting every one connected with them. They are finally released, and decide to join forces by breaking through the wall and making one club out of the two. Since there was no doubt as to the success of the venture, Rogers and Miss Clyde turn their thoughts to matrimony. The plot was adapted from the radio play "The Silver Spoon," by F. McGrew Willis; Hugh Brooke wrote the screen play, Graham Cutts directed it, and Walter C. Mycroft produced it. In the cast are Jack Mclford, Claire Luce, and others. Morally suitable. Class A. "The Girl of the Golden West" with Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy (MGM, March 18; time, 120 min.) Very good ! When First National produced it in 1930 without music, it was just fair entertainment. Although the story has not improved with age, this version is much more entertaining, because of the excellent production values, and of the singing by Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. Miss MacDonald is particularly appealing both in voice and appearance, and is largely responsible for the entertainment the picture offers. She acts the part of the western mountain girl with such warmth and understanding, that she makes the character believable. Typical of westerns, it has plentiful shooting and horseback riding. Towards the end, one is held in suspense, this being caused by the fact that Eddy, a notorious bandit, was in danger of being caught by the Sheriff. The outdoor scenes, photographed in sepia tint, are beautiful. The one large number is a colorful fiesta scene, with large groups of dancers and singers : — Miss MacDonald, owner of a saloon in a mining camp, is respected by all, and loved by Walter Pidgeon, the Sheriff. While on a trip to visit a Padre (H. B. Warner), whom she had known for many years, she meets and falls in love with Nelson Eddy, outlaw leader of a gang of robbers, whom she believed to be a Lieutenant in the Army. She returns home, filled with thoughts of him ; and so, when Pidgeon asks her to marry him, she refuses. Eddy arrives at the camp for the purpose of stealing the money the heroine had in safe-keeping for the miners ; but when he sees her, he naturally does not carry out his purpose. She invites him to her cabin ; he proposes marriage and she accepts. Pidgeon, who had discovered Eddy's identity, goes to Miss MacDonald's cabin, revealing the fact to her ; this makes her unhappy. When Pidgeon leaves, she orders Eddy, who had been hiding, to go. Wounded by one of the Sheriff's men, Eddy goes back to her cabin; again she hides him. Pidgeon returns ; knowing that Eddy was there he agrees to play Miss MacDonald a game of poker to settle the matter. She loses, which meant that Eddy was to go free and she would marry Pidgeon. On the day of the marriage, the lovers accidentally meet at the church. Pidgeon, overhearing their conversation, decides to give up Miss MacDonald. The lovers marry, and leave for another state tn start life anew. • The plot was adapted from the play by David Belasco , Isabel Dawn and tioyce DeGaw wrote the screen play; Robert Z. Leonard directed it and Wm. Anthony McGuire produced it. In the cast are Leo Carrillo, Buddy Ebsen, and others. (This play was produced by First National also in 1923, and by Paramount in 1915, with House Peters.) Suitable for all. Class A. "State Police" with John King, Constance Moore and William Lundigan (Universal, March 18; time, b0'/2 min.) This program melodrama is of minor importance. Obviously produced without much care, and lacking strong boxoffice names, it will serve its purpose as a second feature in neighborhood houses, where patrons go for action pictures, regardless of production values. The plot is a rehash of the old cops-and-robbers theme, and as such is mildly exciting. It is, however, so far-fetched in some spots that patrons may laugh at the wrong time. A romance is hinted at: — John King, a State Trooper, when assigned to arrest a criminal wanted for the murder of a miner, decides to take with him recruit William Lundigan. His purpose was to try to teach Lundigan, whose father wanted him to advance in the service, to take his work seriously, for Lundigan had contempt for it all. When they arrive at the mining town, which was run by racketeers who were looting mines and underselling the legitimate coal dealers, they find an aroused populace, who wanted to take matters into their own hands. King induces them to desist for a while, promising to round up the gang himself. Because of Lundigan's inattention to duty, the murderer, whom King had arrested, escapes, injuring another State Trooper in the act. King is trapped by the gangsters, but manages to get the upper hand by threatening to turn them over to the mob that had collected unless they obeyed his orders. In this way he is able to hold them off until additional State Troopers arrive. The gang is then rounded up. Lundigan, sorry for the trouble he had caused, comes to his senses and promises to concentrate on his work. King looks after Miss Moore, whose brother, unknown to her, had been the racketeer leader. George Waggner wrote the story and screen play, John Rawlins directed it, and Paul Malvern produced it. In the cast are David Oliver, I^arry Blake, and others. Suitability, Class A. "Storm in a Teacup" with Vivien Leigh, Rex Harrison and Sara Allgood (London Film-United Art., February 25 ; time, 2>5l/2 min.) Definitely a picture for high-class audiences, who enjoy brilliant acting and novelty of plot. It stands its best chance in a small arty theatre that caters to those who go in for something different in screen entertainment. The thick Scottish and British accents, in addition to the subtle comedy, make it unsuitable for the masses. There are a few situations that have general appeal and provoke hearty laughter. The most comical situation is that in which the home of the pompous Provost is overrun by dogs on the night he was dining a politically important lord. Intermingled with the comedy is a pleasant romance : — Vivien Leigh returns to her home in Scotland to find her father, the Provost (Cecil Parker), embroiled in a political campaign. Rex Harrison, newspaper reporter sent to interview Parker, is eye-witness to a distasteful scene — that of Parker ejecting forcibly from his home a poor woman (Sara Allgood), who had tearfully pleaded with him to release her dog that had been sent to the pound because she could not pay for a license. Harrison, taking advantage of the editor's absence, prints in place of the interview a scathing article denouncing the Provost for his cruelty. This so arouses the populace that they cause a near riot when Parker tries to address them at a public meeting; they all bark at him. The affair has far-reaching effects, jeopardizing Parker's political chances. In order to stop Harrison, Parker brings an action against him for corrupt practices. Miss Leigh, who had fallen in love with Harrison, in order for her to avoid testifying against him, tells the Court that she was married to him. During a recess in the trial, she convinces her father that he was in error. He admits in open court that he had been inconsiderate, promising to change. The people, including Miss Allgood, cheer him, insuring his future political career, and Miss Leigh is united with Harrison. The plot was adapted from the play by Bruno Frank. Ian Dalrvmple wrote the screen play, he and Victor Saville directed it, and Alexander Korda produced it. In the cast are Ursula Jeans. Gus McNaughton, and others. Suitability. Has? A.