Motion Picture News (Apr - Jun 1927)

1968 Motion P i c f it r c X Senorita Lively Moments for Bebe (Reviewed by Laurence Reid) BEBE DAXIELS got ofl' on a good tack Avhen she irowiied upon those serious stories and decided to cater to satire and burlesque. Take her latest for example It is nothing to make much of a fuss over, but it has its rollicking by-play — all of M'hich is indulged in with a fine zest and spirit by the bubbling Bebe and her assistants. It may be that the loud pedal becomes overplayed here and there, but no one should carp over this amusing trifle — which has been produced for the one purpose of creating laughter. Bebe Daniels jjlays a tomboy of the pampas. She masquerades with a tiny moustache and all the native trimmings. And once she starts cutting the didoes there's no stopping her. She must please her grandfather who thought he had a, grandson instead of a granddaughter. Of such stuff is "Senorita "built. To look for the plot you'd have to look in vain. But it does establish that as the leader of one Avarring family the girl must conquer the enemy. She ends up by fighting a duel. It is all mad merriinent^ — but done in a refreshing manner })y the star who is beginning to give Constance Talmadge a run for her money. It should please the majority of theatregoers. The Cast: Bebe Daniels. William Powell, James Hall. Tom Kennedy. Jerry Ma}Hiy. Director. Clarence BaiUjcr. THEME: Light comedy of EXPLOITATION ANGLES: South American girl who, be Go after your smart adjectives for this one. Play up its tomfoolery. Treat your copy lightly. Emphasize the breezy vein. BiU as a rolUcking adventure. DRAWING POWER: Should do well wherever shown. Title and star should attract the crowds. cause she is a tomboy, carries on a masculine masquerade and conquers the rivals of her family. PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHTS : The fine acting. The incident. The duel. The romantic scenes. The pursuits, etc. Produced and distributed by Paramount. Length, six reels. Released, May, ig2y. Romnnlic niomenis from "'The Understanding Heart," a Metro-Goldwyn Mayer picture Convoy More About The Late W ar (Reviewed by Laurence Reid) THEY'RE still taking the Hollywood boys into the trenches and over the high seas. It seems that the late unjileasaiitness in Europe cannot help being glorified in celluloid. The latest entry is "Convoy," which is advertised as the "Big Parade (if the Navy." It packs away a deal of stirring adventure — what with its naval atmosphere — and the sea battles, not forgetting the exploitations of the spies. As for the plot it is not so much. It is nothing more than a skeleton upon which hangs the spectacular trimmings. The submarines, the sub chasers — and the operations of the (German Secret Service — these all help in carrying out the realistic touch. The central figure is a girl whose brother and best pal have enlisted in the navy. It is her job to discover the plotting by the enemy spy who i,-! tipjiing off the German fleet. The story develops some pathos and some misunderstanding. Meanwhile th" picture releases some genuinely authentic shots of the combined American and British fleets repelling the attack of the German fleet off' .Jutland. These new shots (for that's what they are) lend conviction to the story. "Convoy" doesn't carry the big human note of sonu> of the war films. Yet it is spectacular and nj^poaling. The Cast: Dorothy Mackaill, I^owell Sherman. William Collier. Jr.. I.azvrcncc Gray. Ian Kcitli. Cidil Ka)ic. THEME: Drama of naval submarine. The atmosphere of A uroiip of xiones from "Rich But Honest," a Fox Films picture participation in Great War — with American girl frustrating enemy plotting and saving the fleet. PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHTS: The naval battle. The suspense. The spy sequences. The sincere acting. The destroyer's fight with the Produced by Robert Kane. Length, eight reels. the high seas. EXPLOITATION ANGLES: Tie up with Legion, etc. Play up title and make feature of Navy's activities during the W3,r etc DRAWING POWER: Should do good business in every type of house. Distributed by First A'ational Released, May. 1927.