Motion Picture News (Apr - Jun 1928)

1790 M o t i o n P i ct u r e New s "Crazy House" ( M-G-M-Roach — Two Reels) I Revieived by Raymond Ganly) A GOOD "Our Gang" comedy and one with which to provide howls for almost any type of audience. Many of the familiar faces of the old "gang" have disappeared ; in fact, a new "gang" is fast becoming a reality. But as all these clever little children are entertaining to the extreme, it matters little whether the old performers have gone so long, as they have heen replaced by equally clever kids. In "Crazy House" the bunch are treated to an April Fool party. They have lots of fun, which the spectator shares. Little Jean Darling is the young miss who invites them into her luxurious home and treats them to the April Fool diversion. Her father had had installed wires throughout the rooms which provide electric shocks, water spouts, air gusts and whatever else is desired. The "gang" is puzzled by these contrivances and even Pete, the dog, wonders what it is all about. Finally the kids ring the burglar alarm and bring in the cops. A maelstrom of balloons hides them from the police and they make their escape. Robert McGowan directed the "gang," as usual. Richard Currier did the editing and H. M. Walker the titling. "Buster Minds the Baby" (Universal — Two Reels) (Reviewed by George J. Reddy) I> USTER and Mary Jane provide their J usual quota of fun in this newest Stern Brothers' two-reeler, but the bulk of the applause goes to the dog actor Tige, who has been given a wealth of humorous business, which puts over the plot of this comedy. Buster is about to receive a spanking from his father, when Tige, through a clever trick, diverts his mind from the task. As a reward Buster and Mary leave Tige to mind the baby, and join the gang headed for a local bazaar. One after another Buster and his gang crash the gate, until "Oatmeal," the little darky is detected crawling through the doorkeeper's legs. At this point a round-up of the kids is attempted, causing a good deal of fun. The real laughs of the comedy are supplied by the dog, who in the meantime has taken the baby on an outing. "Crown Me" (Educational — One Reel) LUPINO LANE has a brother who will need watching. Possessing real cleverness before the camera, Wallace Lupino is fast developing into a funny screen personality. To date, he has appeared in some good Cameo offerings, the hest of which, perhaps, was "All Set." In supporting roles with his more famous brother, he has scored several times as an effective pantomimist. Directed by Henry W. George and supported by George Burton and Muriel Evans, he is seen in this new Cameo as a man suffering from a tooth-ache. It can be said that none of the gags are startlingly new, but funny nevertheless and well put over. A fast and snappv number. — RAYMOND GANLY. "The Fight Pest" (M-G-M-Roach— Two Reels) (Reviewed by Raymond Ganly) THE nimble Charlie Chase, of whom many complimentary things are being said by stony critics of the movies, stars in this new output of the Hal Roach Studio. Ably supported by Edna Marion, Edgar Kennedy (very ably), Frank S. Hagney and Bull Montana, his latest vehicle, while not up to the par of some of his recent offerings, is nevertheless well stocked with the situations which cause laughs and giggles. Charlie is a fight fan, also a pest. Those sitting next to him at a pugilistic seance suffer as he is the type of fan whose reactions to a fight consist of swinging his arms, nudging with his elbows and generally carrying on in a manner dissatisfactory to his neighbors. Edgar Kennedy sits next to Charlie and is involved in all the disturbances and commotions caused by that vociferous fan. After he has given the razzberry to one of the fighters, Charlie is invited to contribute some better fighting himself. He goes into the ring and knocks his opponents silly, not because of his skill with the gloves but because a towel, saturated with chloroform and meant for him, has instead acted as a sleep-provider for his antagonists. H. M. Walker has some good titles. Fred Guiol directed. "Hectic Days" (Educational — Two Reels) (Revieived by Raymond Ganly) SCORE another winning comedy for Lupino Lane. His newest, "Hectic Days," is provokingly funny and liberally spruced with light, satiric gags. In reality, the comedy is a parody and its theme is the wild west. Lane is right at home in this environment and doles out laughs all the way. Another one who does his share to make hilarious moments frequent throughout the two reels is Wallace Lupino, who is right behind his more famous brother in the fun-making. At the megaphone of this effective laughpiece was Henry W. George. As a credulous youth who believes all the wild and wooly stories he reads in cheap magazines, Lane plays the lone hero in his attempts to capture the lawless leader of a bandit gang. The bandits have captured the sheriff and their chief is about to carry off the girl when the heroic Lane gives battle to the desperadoes. These fights are really comedy skits, especially the one between Lane and Lupino in which you see the antagonists resting when the struggle becomes hot. Suffice it to say that Lane cleans up the gang and expects the plaudits of the town. But whatever cheers are heard go to the sheriff, who has freed himself of his bonds and who calmly takes all the credit. "The Wandering Tov" (Educational — One Reel) HERE is one of the best releases from the studios of Lyman H. Howe in some time. Archie N. Griffith's animated art titles are excellently done and the ideas of Robert E. Gillaum, around which this animation is built, take in variety and spicy subjects. A little wooden soldier is carried away by a balloon and travels from country to country. Some of the shots of this Hodge-Podge include the royal guard at the palace at Stockholm, a street in Holland and Java's boiling springs. A nicelv put tosrether short subject. — RAYMOND GANLY. "Inklings" (Red Seal— One Reel) DRAWINGS by Dave Fleischer grace this cartoon reel. An invisible pen traces the Sphinx, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Cathedral of Moscow, the House of Parliament at London, the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty. A few seconds of animation are introduced and then the artists compares the faces of dosrs with those of men. Fair program filler. —RAYMOND GANLY. "The Fox Chase" (Universal — One Reel) (Reviewed by George J. Reddy) IN this Oswald comic the animated bunny goes in for fox hunting, thereby giving cartoonist Walter Disney an opportunity to create a rather clever pen burlesque on society's great outdoor sport. Much humor has been compiled into this short reel, the animated "gags" of which are nearly all original. "Felix the Cat in Eskimotive" (Educational — One Reel) IT appears there is no end of adventures in store for Felix, the screen's only cat star. The possibilities of adventure for the feline do not seem to be exhausted. For instance, in this new cartoon release starring the Sullivan cat the idea of a bubble for transportation is cleverly presented with an embellishment of gag material generously placed throughout. To please one of the little Felixes, the cat blows a soap bubble around him and a gust of wind carries the little fellow northwards. Frantic, Felix chases the bubble, up to the lair of the eskimo and polar bear. He catches up with his little son and they both use the bubble to get back to civilization. — RAYMOND GANLY. Newsreel Resume (Continued from patje 1786) be held in the U. S. ; the Preakness race at Pimlico. The Kentucky Derby was one of the stories contained in No. 68. Also receiving mention were scenes of N. Y. anti-aircraft guns in practice; King Albert of Belgium and King Christian of Denmark ; Mine. Lupewcu, the companion in exile of Prince Carol of Roumania; California girl dancing along Pacific shore; Nobile sails over arctic wastes in the Italia ; Tom Heeney training; Fascist girls saluting Mussolini; American bride of Indian rajah arrives in Paris ; Walter Hagen receiving championship cup from Prince. International News, Vol. 10, No. 40: Maypole festival in New York City; Annapolis pagaent revives Colonial days ; monument honoring aviators dedicated in France; Mr. and Mrs. Stillman; President Coolidge conferring medal on World War hero; Japanese honor their god of the waters; German horsemen in risky jumps; British cavalrymen in some fancy riding; "debs" on way to meet King George; parade in Orleans, France, honors Joan of Arc. Kinograms, No. 5398, devoted itself to views of Coolidge at Massachusetts academy; seaplane racing for Curtiss trophy; Joie Ray, making new marathon mark; naval officers shown chemical warfare of the future; weaponless matadors tight bulls; the Kentucky Derby. No. 5397: The Kentucky Derby; France pays homage to Joan of Are; Gene Tunney in work-out; the Coolidges attending the Annapolis pageant ; exhibition of miniature locomotives; a private zoological garden; three-day old lion cubs at Gay's Farm; lady performer wrestling with tiger in circus act. Joie Ray winning the marathon, the President and Mrs. Coolidge attending the school anniversary celebration, King George installing the Knights of the Bath; Rlandell and MeLarnin, and the Kentucky Derby were some of the highlights of No. 41. Also included were the liner Mohawk, which suffered a collision in fog; military display before Japanese emperor; a rose festival parade at San .Jose; elephant group in museum. Last Warner Picture for Season Released May 26 The final Warner feature for 1927-28 will be released on May 26th when "Five and Ten Cent Annie" co-starring Louise Fazenda and Clyde Cook reaches the public.