Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Dec 1933)

HOLLYWOOD FILMOGRAPH BERLIN RAVES ABOUT "CAVALCADE" AND LLOYD (Continued from page 1 ) of them survivors of the great combat and who hold bitter recollections of England as an enemy, "Cavalcade' drew the most enthusiastic applause. News dispatches, telegraphed, ordinarily take no note of the reception of a film. This information, if carried at all, waits for the slower mail service. But when "Cavalcade" went on the screen in Berlin, at least two wire stories were sent into England reporting the hit, so pronounced was the approval. One of these dispatches reported: ". . . instructions to produce a film epic of similar value to Germans have been given to those responsible for the nation's new pictures." Reviewers repeatedly were impressed by the tremendous applause by the audience at the conclusion of the showing. A few of their comments on the audience appreciation are included in the appended excerpts from reviews, since they indicate an enthusiasm that spreads through the citizenry rather than an enthusiasm solely of critics. The picture was so completely endorsed that the most severe adverse comment is perhaps that of Der Angriff am Montag, in which the minor fault is found that, "... the English family is never shown at work, the audience is never told how its members earn their living." Though Der Angriff found this fault, the other several hundred words in the review point out the greatness of the picture. For example, "... An historical and extraordinarily interesting picture . . . There are many strong situations in this film, ..." From other pens, these are typical excerpts : "It is well nigh impossible to narrate the contents of this great film in a different manner, unless one were to write a complete book. "The director, Frank Lloyd, presents us with a fascinating, huge conception of something that is really composed of small matters. He has managed to present 33 years of the life of one family in a form of aphoristic sketches without killing the sense of continuity and lapse of time. This film is a masterpiece from the point of view of directive ability and beyond that it is a masterpiece from every aspect of film production. "The audience was greatly impressed both by the magnificent technique . . . and by the first rate acting . . . Great applause." — Franze Schnilzer in Berliner Volkszeitung. . . . The most gripping effect, the departure of British troops for South Africa. Cavalcade: That is the eternal melody of life." j — Kreuzzeitung. "The greatest courage has been required to produce a film which is not confined to the bad or good fortune of an individual but which unfolds the history of an entire generation exemplified by the history of a family — including the servants. "... It is the giant portrait of a dying, withering age which has become senseless . . . " 'CAVALCADE', this great film work, which has created an impression throughout the world, must, however, be seen by every thinking person." — From Filmkurier, Berlin, 9-22. "... it is more gripping than hundreds of the most exciting and wonderful events and happenings that might occur. "It is absolutely overcrowded with exciting and wonderful events. ". . . the film reaches the tragic sphere of a Flaubert. And the people who are the actors might have been taken from any news reel. They do not act ,they do not exaggerate, they do not draw attention to the fact that they are in the picture. They live. They love ..." In parenthesis he halts any lack of sincerity, so: (Someone said "Tripe." But when the lights went up his eyes were full of tears . . .) "Noel Coward's stage play was not nearly so powerful . . . "Frank Lloyd's efforts as a director is a masterpiece with immense proportions ..." — From Berliner 12 Uhr Blatt, Berlin, Sept. 22. "... its march of victory over the boards, which was followed by the march of victory over the screen . . . His (Noel Coward's) historical review was then acclaimed as a rallying point of English patriotism. "In thousands, the people flocked to the theater and their own history gave them courage once again. English patriotism — anyone can see this in the picture — " — From Deutsche Algemeine Zeitung, Sept. 25. ". . . is bound to the soil and extends beyond all territorial realms and beyond all frontiers. Here we are given an insight into this forge of life . . . This film in its deeply human aspect of fate shows at various points prophetic insight . . . ". . . Frank Lloyd, with an almost demoniac ferocity has overcome this huge task. He put his finger to the pulse of life, and took us with him into the great play of the past and present, confronted us with ourselves and there was no escape. "An outstanding film . . . An evening which will not be forgotten." — From Berlin Tageblalt, Sept. 22. ". . . The whole is put together like mosaic, one episode runs into another yet somehow all remain in harmonious relationship one to another. "The director, Frank Lloyd, does not skim over the surface, but has worked out the deeper significance of the scenes, . . . offers more than everyday entertainment, avoids conventional banalities and thus stands far above the average. The picture was well applauded." — From Berliner Herold Sept. 30. ". . . everything done on a grand scale with sentimental background." — From Die Nachtaus ". . . the fundamental law of the vision of the picture is fulfilled . . . then this is film of the word. true <|ense 6 "When Frank 'Ejoyctjn 'Cavalcade' shows by the\<$Qirn3ing^of the Beethoven Funeral Ma^ch'and by a very tiny piece of a crowded street, the approaching funeral procession of Queen Victoria without bringing this funeral procession itself into the picture . . . then this is film art in the truest sense of the word . . . the vision of the sphere is fulfilled." — From Film Der Zeit, Sept. 24. Criticism of criticisms, as "Film Criticism Notes." "... shares in the great applause which was accorded yesterday to the premiere production ..." — From Deutsche Tagezeitun, Sept. 22. ". . . the film was a work of art, the manuscript already having made certain of that. It is British film throughout, produced in Hollywood with a British cast. An heroic poem indeed ! "This film as a work of art . . . "The visionary that permeates this film is successful to the extreme." — From B. Z. Am Mittag, Sept. 22. "... a technically gigantic work, the import of which however, rests in the purely human, typical timeless aspect." — From Berliner Morgenpost, Sept. 24. "... invade the small and happy circle of an English aristocratic family and what remained at the end was loneliness and love, mutual love and love for the Fatherland . . . The film is a hymn of praise to courage . . . the film admonishes us: It is not worth while to take life more seriously than it is. ". . . But a master hand has directed the production, that of Frank Lloyd. ". . . is an achievement without equal, not even surpassed by Lubitsch in his most spectacular scenes." — From 8 Uhr Ahendblatt, Berlin, Sept. 22. "We . . . await its effect on the German public opinion. And we have not deceived ourselves. ". . . people will, here again, find the distance they need in order to properly understand the sense and teaching of experience. In addition there is the fact that one sees the attitude of mind of the English world in relation to the last five decades." From Der Deutsche, Sept. 22. "One sees the parade of the most important happenings of the last three decades ... in the film it sometimes appears that one is looking at a panorama. "It is grand to see how the funeral of Queen Victoria is shown only through the medium of sound and echo, as a picture of the loyal Englishmen lining the streets. "Throughout the filming is done excellently. With a wonderful matter of fact attitude, Hollywood has made an 'English' film ..." — From Berliner-Borsenkurier, Sept. 22. Say It in the Right Way! Thru Hollywood Filmograph FOR RATES PHONE Harry Burns Hillside 1146 ADDRESS Hollywood Filmograph I6O6 Cahuenga Ave. Hollywood Out Christmas Eve