The international photographer (Jan-Dec 1936)

Thirty-two The INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER October, 1936 CINEMACARONI (With Sauce for Those Who Like It) By Robert Tobey HOLLYWOOD HONEYMOON or The Loves of Lili Liverblossom by CHAPTER XXIV (Censored) CHAPTER XXV (Censored) CHAPTER XXVI (Censored) Shucks! Things have conic to a pretty pass. It's getting so you can't get a thing past the censors. And the above three chapters of our thrilling serial were some of the juiciest bits, too. But arc we daunted? H-e-c-k, no! Your editors are working feverishly to find a way to get around the strangling grasp of the censor octopus. See next month for startling developments. The public must — in fact -will — be served! COOKERY DEPT. INTO THE FIRE Joan Blondell and Dick Powell OUT OF THE FIRE Binnie Barnes and Samuel Joseph KNEECAP REVIEWS (No space left on my thumb-nails) "GREEN PASTURES."' This is so good an offering from the Related Warner boys that I'll stand for three more of their musicals with Busby Berkeley ensembles. Written by Marc Connolly, this picturization of his successful play was also directed by him in collaboration with William Kciyhly. Here is a quaint story told with a simple directness and with as complete an absence of affectation as an over-zealous Warner Brothers trick department would allow. Using this negro folk-story as a smoke screen, astute Mr. Connolly with an entertaining naivete and completely disarming mode of attack, dissects the biblical fables of Genesis. The portrayal of "De Lawd" by negro actor Rex Ingram is of such high caliber that it's sad there's so little motion picture call for his fine talent. From the splendid supporting cast stand out Oscar Polk as tnc angel Gabriel and Eddie Anderson as Noah. Photography was in the hands of Hal Mohr. Should I gild the lily? "STAGE STRUCK," starring recently-spliced-butthey-weren't then Dick Powell and Joan Blondell, and directed by the flighty Mr. Busby Berkeley. Ah, me — I wrote the above review of "Green Pastures" before seeing "Stage Struck," so I guess I'll have to overlook the fact that Dick Powell and Jeanne Madden break into a song and dance skit in the middle of the Natural History Museum. And that the Yacht Club Boys without a yacht club break into rhyme without reason on the back steps accompanied by an argufying radio, and go into Keystone Comedy routines in private offices. It makes me want to turn in my badge. But don't let this make you stay away from the picture, which is full of laughs. Powell is probably better than ever before and Blondell is up to her usual antics. Film introduces Jeanne Madden, who isn't hard to take. Warren William, Frank McHugh and Hobart Cavanaugh do their stuff well. Byron Haskin was responsible for the first-rate photography. "YELLOWSTONE," a story of murder in Uncle Sam's playground. Interesting as this is, it falls far short of its splendid possibilities and bogs itself down with the weight of its own complications. The theme has novelty and suspense in abundance, but there are just too many crooks to kill off, requiring quite too much coincidence. Henry Hunter as the young ranger of the story is a handsome lad and should go far. Judith Barrett, playing the unsuspectinq daughter of a bank-robbing father, presents an unconventional type of beauty and gives promise of developing into a unique personality. Ralph Morgan, as the father, performs with quiet conviction. Others are Andy Devine, Alan Hale and Raymond Hatton. Direction by Arthur Lubin keeps up the rapid pace of the piece. Milton Krasner has photographed well throughout, contributing some unusual scenic shots. "DRAEGERMAN COURAGE," with Jean Muir, Barton MacLane, Henry O'Neill, and Robert Barratt, and directed by Louis King. The only thing needed to make this complete is the giddy touch of Busby Berkeley. If you are rabidly fond of seeing miners digging frantically underground for hours on end to rescue other miners, then by all means don't miss this earthworm epic. Jean Muir and Barton MacLane are head and shoulders above the story, which really isn't so bad except for hammy dialogue and too much digging. Effective photography is by Gilbert Warrenton. "RHYTHM ON THE RANGE" is excellent film fare. Just what the title implies, this singing cowboy story gives you Bing Crosby crooning to a liorse of another color. Besides that if you care for it, you are given just a little too much of the very funny Martha Raye, an introduction to delectable Frances Farmer, and don't bazooka-way and you'll see Bob Burns. Lucille Gleason, Warren Hymer, and George E. Stone are in the thing too and don't deserve such slight mention. Norman Taurog directed with a hilarious touch, and probably no "western" has had more capable camera treatment than this one in the hands of Karl Struss. "THE GORGEOUS HUSSY," in which Joan Crawford is gorgeous but very little the hussy and -rogresses to better looks, better acting, and four leading men. This patch-work tale of adventure in the Andrew Jackson era is so full of separate and complete episodes as to be capable of rendering it incoherent, yet these are so skillfully blended by story, acting, and the expert direction of Clarence Brown that there is no feeling of periodicity. The one continuous thread of the tale is the love life of the "Gorgeous Hussy." Joan Crawford in this part gives her best performance in quite too long a time and forsakes at last the highly artificial mouth make-up and abnormal eyelashes that have oreviously been her trademark. As her first husband, Robert Taylor is as handsome as ever, but is characterless in his acting, possibly due to the restraint of period costumes. Franchot Tone has little opportunity to be other than innocuously pleasing, and James Stewart's role affords scarcely more histrionic play. Melvyn Douglas, however, has a role that he can really set his teeth into, and set them he does, biting himself off by far the juiciest bit of acting in the picture. This far from handsome but strangely compelling actor paints with strong, sure strokes his picture of the inflexible idealist who lets not even his love for the Gorgeous Hussy alter an unswerving course toward the goal of State's Rights. Lionel Barrymore as Andrew Jackson has a part that is in accord -with his capabilities. Beulah Bondi's work as Rachel Jackson is marvelous, and Alison Skipworth is fine in a small role. Photography by George Folsey creates a perfect setting for this commendable production. "MY MAN GODFREY," a Gregory La Cava production starring William Powell and Carole Lombard. The apt, amusing, and novel main title is followed by a picture possessed of the same gualities maintained in superlative. You'd be a fool to miss this unless you're sure you have no sense of humor whatsoever. How mad, but how charming, infectious, and relaxing is this gay film cannot be conveyed in the telling. The effervescent Miss Lombard outdoes herself in her portrayal of the beautiful, dumb, and untrammelled Irene Bullock. Mr. William Powell's performance is of the best. Unforgettable is the scene where in rags and tatters and a great growth of beard he saunters in utter superiority through the doors of the Waldorf. More than excellent characterizations are contributed by Alice Brady, Gail Patrick, Eugene F'jllette, Mischa Auer, Jean Dixon and Alan Mowbray. Directed and produced by Gregory La Cava from the novel by Eric Hatch, and photographed as only Teddy Tetzlaff can do it, the production is an achievement that is a feather in the caps of all concerned. When "The Devil is a Sissy" is released in England, the title will be altered to "The Devil is a Softy." It seems "sissy" is not a polite ■word in the Isles. * * * Them Britishers better not be too snooty. Some of their own little nifties don't stand up any too well here in Uncle Sam's Alphabet Land. An Englishman is at a pretty serious disadvantage if he comes over here and tries to get colloquial about keeping your courage up. Addison Randall; and Dr. Herbert Gaillard. * * * Mary Brian attended unattended by Cary Grant. * * * Lorena Layson was there with supersoap magnate Danny Danker (of whom this is the missis). * * * Hugh Herbert was there with the hiccups, but Herb Gaillard soon cured that — not until after Hugh had tried seventeen home-prescribed remedies ranging from holding the breath until exhausted to standing on the head and drinking a glass of water. * * Harriet Parsons was there — and so were Barton MacLane, Eadie Adams, Howard Lang, Mecca Graham — and, of course, Glenda Farrell! * Looks as if Southern Calif ornians will soon have a zvay to burn their money all year round. With two new race tracks besides Santa Anita in project, plans are already arranged to stagger the racing seasons so that the ponies will never quit going round and round so the money can go in there. Just a few weeks ago, the cornerstone was laid for the new track at Del Mar, tzcenty miles north of San Diego. Bing Crosby, who owns a nearby Rancho and is a big investor in the track, was on hand to see that there was nothing crooked about the way the c. s. was put in. John Gallaudct and Elizabeth Russell were also on hand to tee Governor Mcrriam dedicate the spot. * * * iijss Russell, who is a sister of Rosalind Russell's, is breaking into pictures via Paramount. * * * Best ■ bet of the month — Janice Jarratt, New York "magazine-cover" girl, just signed and brought out to the Gilt Coast by Universal. The girl has beauty, charm, grace, intelligence — and what is most important, complete lack of camera-consciousness. * * * Frank Shields talked Errol Flynn into entering the Pacific Southwest Tennis Tournament. So Errol entered with Elmer Griffin as partner — and the two drew as first opponents, Shields paired with Fred Perry, champion of the world! * * * Little Jane Withers 'was made Honorary Chief Stewardess of the American Airlines at the recent christening of the new flagship "California," first of a fleet of transcontinental sleeper planes. Marjorie Gage flezv in to see the christening in her own little red monoplane — which can nestle under one wing of the giant twin-motored Douglas. * * * Arline Judge at a recent party invited practically everyone there to ride home in her new limousine, she was that proud of it. She'd have been embarrassed if they had all accepted, for it isn't THAT big. * * * Maybe the industry is missing a bet in not making more serials. When a group of stars visited Olvera Street recently, the one the kids all recognized first and mobbed for autographs was nevertheless probably the least famous of the group — Jean Rogers, the "Dale Arden" of Universal' s "Flash Gordon" series. * * * The fifty school girls who were standing the other day on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue would be terribly chagrined to know that Clark Gable, wearing a beret and an old leather jacket, Massed within a few feet of them and wasn't recognized. Or "were they all blase? * * * This year the annual motion pictures Fathersand-Sons Convention 'was held on director Al Green's ranch in Puente. * * Each year, you know, the boys treat their dads to a picnic and as much gentle ribbing as possible. * Of course, Sol Lesser and his son Bud were on hand, since Bud is the chief instigator of the affair. " * Charlie Irwin -was master of ceremonies. * * Little Bobby Breen brought both of his dads — his radio pop, Eddie Cantor, and his real father, Hyman Breen. * * The three Ritz brothers had trouble getting in, as they only brought one dad among them. * * He's screwy too. * Chic Sale turned Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address" into a political speech. * * * Groucho Marx had to leave early because his son was playing in a tennis tournament. * * * After eats and spiels, there was such a baseball game as you've never seen. * * * A novelty of last month was a gay "Nickelodeon Party" at which were revived the dear dead days when the nickel was king. * * * Pat O'Brien arrived in a horse-drawn hansom that had the very latest self-opening doors. * And a surrey drove up and out jumped Pat Ellis, Paula Stone and Wayne Morris. * ' Among others arriving in old-fashioned garb were Jeannette MacDonald and Gene Raymond — Jeannette in her costume from "San Francisco" — Eleanor Whitney with Tom Brown and Henry Willson, Glenda Farrell charminq decollette, Fred Stone, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Brooks III (Jacqueline Wells), Mr. and Mrs. Donald Woods, Marjorie Gateson, Evangeline Russell, Commodore J. Stuart Blackton, John Bryan, and Inez Courtney. * * * Helen Ferguson masqueraded as a Salvation Army lass and picked up a penny here and there. * * * After the nickels had been collected, sequences from several old-time celluloid thrillers wer run by Commodore Blackton, and then a Fred Stone vehicle of 1918, called "Johnny Get Your Gun," in which Fred did every stunt in the cataloque, was run amid the cheers and catcalls of his friends. * * * HOLLYWOODCUTS, by the Shovel Boys (They dish the dirt) * " Everybody gives parties to celebrate occasions. So Glenda Farrell had a party to celebrate the occasion. Except perhaps the institution of Saturday night parties. And quite a cortege of Glenda's boy friends -were there — Drew Eberson, her current heart-throb; Hi. siser! Wanta get into pictures? If you are an artist, an architect or a cinematographer, don't fail to read Lewis W. Physioc's article on PERSPECTIVE, page 16, this issue.