Modern Screen (Dec 1931 - Nov 1932 (assorted issues))

MODERN SCREEN ARSENE LUPIN (M-G-M) At last this fascinating figure of fiction reaches the screen in a glorious romantic adventure picture that superbly combines thrills, laughter, love interest and mystery. Perhaps you remember the master cracksman who robs the rich in Robin Hood fashion just for the fun of the thing. Well, here he is, flouting the law to his heart's content, and climaxing his depredations by filching the "Mona Lisa" from the Paris Louvre. It would spoil the fun to disclose his identity, so you must see tor yourself whether Lionel Barrymore, brother John, Tully Marshall, John Mil j an or another of the exceptional cast plays the role of the romantic rascal. The Brothers -Barrymore, of course, are perfect. LADY WITH A PAST (RKO-Pathe) Of course, the "past" of this lady is highly synthetic. She's really Constance Bennett, a quite nice girl. But when David Manners falls for the wiley Merna Kennedy, ignoring the shrinking violet, Constance, the eldest Bennett girl sets out to remedy matters. She accumulates Ben Lyon and Don Alvarado. One suicides, and the other's wife sues her for alienation of affections. So she becomes popular as a lady with a past But even so, she yet doesn't win her objective, for beneath it all Dave is as good a boy as Constance is a girl. So she has to undo all her labors by confessing all before she finally winds up in her lover's arms. It's not new stuff, but it's dependable talkie fare. Three pleasant Chanel-gowned gold-diggers, impersonated by lna Claire, Madge Evans and Joan Blondell, keep this well-mounted, sophisticated comedy moving from laugh to laugh with just sufficient breathing space between giggles to introduce a little sympathy. Ina is the villainess, in that she poaches upon the masculine preserves of her pals. Joan is blond and fluffy, physically and mentally while Madge imparts a somewhat more sombre note. I hey win and lose their men, squabble between themselves, and eventually run off together to Paris, leaving Ina's prospective bridegroom waiting at the church. THE GREEKS HAD A WORD FOR THEM (United Artists) LOVERS As sweet a story as the cinema has offered on its screen, this one presents Robert Mont COURAGEOUS gomery and Madge Evans as the sort of strugCM-G-M1) gling young persons you and I know best. They ^ ' are 'hero and heroine of a simple, straight forward little love tale which features effort and failure, trial and discouragement, love and victory. And in the end you 11 all realize that the obstacles encountered and overcome were placed m their oaths by a stern, yet kindly Fate to prove their courage. There is no luridness in the picture— not even a personal villain. And, although Frederick Lonsdale is the author, the tale is neither high-brow nor sophisticated. LOST SQUADRON (RKO-Radio) Richard Dix, Joel McCrea, Bob Armstrong what more do you want in the way of heroes? For girls there are Dorothy Jordan and Mary Astor. The villain is Erich von Stroheim. And the background is Hollywood. So, you see, here's a perfect set-up for any and all movie enthusiasts. For good measure there are any number of aerial thrill stunts. The story has Richard, Joel and Bob as ex-army fliers seeking a kick with their jobs. Drifting to Hollywood they organize a thrill snuadron and fly for Von Stroheim in the guise of a half -mad pro, cliicer The suspense is terrific, and there's more than one death before a half-sad, half-happy ending is attained. l