The Hollywood Reporter (Jan-Jun 1933)

THE FOUR PICTURES >cted by MBERSTONE ng ipudence of the story are imaginative direction. — as been signally successful "aining from frank satire. id cast have pursued the intent on laughter rather ;hly entertaining farce. — because H, Bruce Humin in a manner that keeps nd. It is fun of an intel ligent sort that leaves no need for slapstick or burlesque— YORK AMERICAN. What "Strangers of the Evening" has that other members of the so-called "horror" circle had not is treatment and direction built for laughs by H. Bruce Humberstone, until now an assistant director on the United Artists lot and, with this picture. a full-fledged director. Humberstone's opening picture is a credit to him. It is better than many attractions currently released and. by its merit, rates "A" time in the first-run division— MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Excellent story, direction and cast. Boy! Bring on the orchidsWe feel like passing them out right and left this morning be cause here is a sweet piece of merchandise from the short bankroll boys that deserves special hurrahs for many more reasons than one. First of all, it's the maiden effort of "Lucky" Humberstone. hiding m the credtis under his true name of H. Bruce Humberstone. and he shows he's got a lot more on the ball than just luck. Here ts a director who has been assistant to many of the aces of the business like Vidor and Fitzmaurice, and probably never before had anything to do \vith a picture that cost less than $500,000. The bosses who denied him a chance to direct before will probably be observed at remote and isolated spots of the studio kicking themselves vigorously below the rear suspender buttons — HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Looks as if a knockout comedy team has broken into the limelight . . . with Zasu Pitts and jimmy Gleason almost rolling 'em in the aisles at that preview showing at Loew's in New Rochelle the other nite ... in World Wide's "Crooked Circle" . . . never saw a comedy team work so beautifully together . . . Zasu Pitts starts a laugh . . . jimmy builds it . . . and with the merest trifle of a situation . . . they keep playing it up between "em till on several occasions you couldn't hear their lines because of the howls of laughter . . . and, by the way . . . did the screen ever before produce an outstanding mixed comedy team? . . . the wonder Is that nobody thought of teamrng them together long before this. — ALONG THE RIALTO WITH PHIL M DALY Swell comedy mystery thriller mixes chills and gales of laughs Should go big. With this set-up of thrills and uproarious comedy hitting on high from the first flash to the finale, every exhib who plays it can go out and shout about it without fear of any comeback. It is easily one of the best laugh numbers of the year. Cunningly designed by Ralph Spence along the order of "The Gorilla." it gives you spooky thrills and suspense with a constant play of comedy that makes it a genuine treat. It is hard to say which is the best — the mystery chills or the comedy. But the combination IS so skilful that it stands out from any other picture of its class. — FILM DAILY. It's the kind of fun that kept a preview audience (that didn't know it was gotng to see a preview) sitting in tense suspense, then roaring with laughter, then breaking into the picture time after time with bursts of af>plause. Because "The Crooked Circle" is such a clever mixture of squeamy mystery and downright farcical comedy. — MOTION PICTURE HERALD. mnt's "King of the Jungle" lly good picture, one that will appeal to is of all ages. H. Bruce Humberstone and the directors of this offering, have handled o cleverly that one might hazard that the vincing; at least, it has that attribute while ig it. — N. Y. TIMES. I imagine, does not intend itself to be y, which is its chief virtue. There is Conor in it. — N. Y. POST. is packed with action. Animals, battles, ncludes with an exciting fire v^rhich mwi tents. It will thrill and entertain you. — Co-Directed with S4ax Harcin The picture loses no time in getting started. It's no film for any little group of serious thinkers, but it's good fun and thrillful. — N. Y. AMERICAN. Stunt stuff is supplied by the final sequences, m which a herd of elephants stampedes up Market street. San Francisco, knocking over automobiles, buses and buildings. You'll find it fun. and the supporting cast and backgrounds satisfactory. — N. Y. JOURNAL. Bruce Humberstone and Max Marcin have done a swell directorial job — and it was no simple task. It is excellent entertainment for kids and grown-u(>s as well. — HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Management COLLIER & WALLIS