Motion Picture Herald (Apr-Jun 1931)

36 MOTION PICTURE HERALD May 2 3, 1 9 3 1 lilhii'l 1ii i)A$§INe IN REVIEW III mm This department does not attempt to predict the public's reactions to pictures. It does, instead, present detailed and accurate information on product, together with the frank and honest opinion of the reporter. Daddy Long Legs (Fox) Strong Attraction One of the best Cinderella stories ever written (and the whole world loves a Cinderella tale) has reached the talking screen in "Daddy Long Legs" with two of the most popular stars and a splendid supporting cast to put it over. Janet Gaynor does the best job she has done since "Seventh Heaven" and Warner Baxter gives another of his smooth, satisfying performances as the "Daddy Long Legs" to Miss Gaynor's Judy Abbott. Made famous on the stage by Ruth Chatterton, and on the silent screen by Mary Pickford, the lovable orphaned Judy returns once more as an ideal character for Janet Gaynor. To all of the best elements of the stage story have been added a smart modern treatment and excellent dialogue. Lender the direction of Alfred Santell, Fox has given the picture all that could be given it in the way of settings and production. Equally as important, it is one of the rarest of entertainment types, a picture that will satisfy almost anyone. It is good for the high school trade, for the family trade, for the downtown trade or the neighborhood trade. If you like your pictures smart there is plenty of smartness ; if you like some tears prepare to shed them; if you prefer laughs you'll get your money's worth. And it is clean as a whistle from the fade-in to the fade-out. Add to the above portion Una Merkel, that Southern youngster who is most excellent as a screen comedienne : Claude Gillingwater, who does the old butler-secretary, Riggs, to perfection ; John Arledge, who knows his collegiate stuff, and a bright youngster named Kendall MacComas who pretty nearly steals the orphanage sequence, and you have something to talk about. "Daddy Long Legs" is the story of the little orphan girl, Judy Abbott, who never remembered her parents, but has grown to beautiful young girlhood in an orphanage. There she is seen and adopted by Jervis Pendleton, a wealthy young bachelor who never permits her to know who is responsible for her good fortune. She only knows him by the name she has given him, "Daddy Long Legs." He sends her to a fashionable girls' boarding school where, in spite of her past, she becomes the most popular girl in the school. At her commencement she graduates magna cum laudc and is the class valedictorian. Of course Pendleton finds himself in love with her, and permits her finally to meet her "Daddy Long Legs" in one of the cleverest fade-out scenes in a long time. Those concerned with this production are to be congratulated that they did not do the obvious thing, give the audience reel after reel of orphanage sob stuf¥. There is just enough to plant the reason why Judy Abbott is there and why she deserves a better break. Pendleton comes into the picture, sees her plight and she is whisked away into a charming collegiate atmosphere in which she blooms like a rose. The kid stuff and the collegiate stuff are happilv done, with an understanding of the psychology of both. Sonya Levien, the adaptor,' did an admirable piece of work in bringing the storv right up to the minute, aided by S. N. Behrman, who is credited with the additional dia logue. As has been said before, Alfred Santell has directed the production most intelligently. Comedy, cartoon or musical shorts K'ill do Tvell ivtih this film. Produced and distributed by Fox. Directed by Alfred Santell. Story by Jean Webster. Adaptation by Sonya Levien. Additional dialogue by S. N. Behrman. Photographed by Lucien Andriot. Sound Eng neer, Donald Hick. Release date, June 14, 1931. CAST Judy Abbott Janet Gaynor Jervis Pendleton Warner Baxter Sally Una Merkel Jimmie John Arledge Riggs Claude Gillingwater Wykoff Edwin Maxwell Mrs. Semple Effie Ellsler Freddie Perkins Kendall MacComas Mrs. Pendleton Kathlyn Williams Mrs. Lippett Elizabeth Patterson Miss Pritchard Louise Closser Hale Katie Martha Lee Sparks Gloria Sheila Manners Leo Meehan The Good Bad Girl ( Columbia) Thrills and Comedy Despite the fact that this is another gangster film, it has elements in it of the type of material which should prove popular entertainment for most audiences. There is comedy to counterbalance the dramatic bits, and a thrill or two which adds to the effectiveness of the film. But it is by no means a picture for children to view. The story concerns a gangster's girl, who attempts to leave the life of crime, which has been hers by marrying into a wealthy family, via the scion of a fortune, at just the moment when her former fiance is the object of a police search for a murderer. When he is captured shortly after, he naturally believes the girl had informed the police and then deserted him. In an effort to save the life of her husband, she visits the murderer. But the newspapers give away her secret, and she leaves her husband to go to work after her baby is born. The murderer makes good an escape from jail, and tries to kill the girl, but, of course, she is saved at exactly the right moment. The expected reconciliation with her husband follows. Mae Clark does an exceptionally fine piece of dramatic acting as the heroine, and Jimmy Hall is almost equally as competent in his role opposite. Robert Ellis does well in the heavv role, and Marie Prevost supplies much of the comedy. The rest of the cast is satisfactory. The direction of R. William Neill is good. PIa\ light comedy and cartoon shorts tvith this film. Produced and distributed bv Columbia. Directed by R. Wm. Neill. Assistant director C. C. Coleman. Story by Wmifred Van Duzer. Continuity and dialogue by Jo Swerling. Cameraman Teddy Tetzlaff Film Editor Edward Curtiss. Sound Engineer Henry Connors. Art Director Stephen Gooson. Technical Director Edward Shulter. Release date May 20, 1931. Footage 6555. Running time 73 minutes. CAST Mat'C'a Mae Clarke Bob Henderson James Hall Trixie Marie Prevost T/ler. Robert Ellis Mrs. Henderson Nance O'Neil Mr. Henderson Edmund Breese Donavan James Donlan Pagano Paul Porcasi Ro^ch Paul Fiz Moreland Wheeler Oakman Spike George Berliner The Lawyer's Secret ( Paramount) Drama That Clicks "The Lawyer's Secret," through intelligent handling both in story and acting, becomes a tlioroughly delightful and interesting picture. The preview audience which greeted it found it much to their liking and it rates as very good screen fare. Charles Rogers, formerly known as "Buddy," gives the surprise performance of the picture. -As the weak brother who is an accomplice to a murder, Rogers has a role that even a veteran performer would find difficult. And he plays it for all its worth, turning out a performance that is most creditable and shows he has unpredictable possibilities along dramatic lines. Clive Brook and Richard Arlen are two other important members of the cast whose work is outstanding. Fay W'ray and Jean Arthur supply the love interest and do it well. The direction by Louis Gasnier and Max Marcin is good. The story is heavy with suspense and drags a bit at times. Further cutting may eliminate this. The story, by James Hilary Finn, has a clever plot and it is well told. Rogers as the rich lad who spends his time in gambling becomes involved with Francis McDonald in a murder. Richard Arlen, a sailor, is arrested and found guilty of the crime through a chain of circumstantial evidence. He is to be hanged for the murder of which he is innocent. Rogers has confided in his attorney. Brook, who is engaged to Miss W'ray. Brook cannot break a client's confidence and finds himself in a tough spot. All works out, though, when Arlen's pals and Miss Arthur, his girl, find the Weazel (MacDonald) and he admits his guilt. Rogers, confessing, goes to the penitentiary to serve a short term, while MacDonald is to be hanged. Rogers' role has no love interest in it and is a part much unlike anything he has ever done. Use strong comedy shorts here for best results. Produced and distributed by Paramount. Directed by Louis Gasnier and Max Marcin. Story by James Kilary Finn. Adaptation, dialogue and screen play by Max Marcin and Lloyd Corrigan. Photographed by Arthur Todd. Release date. June 6, 1931. Footage, 5,642. Running time, 63 minutes. CAST Drake Norris Clive Brook Laurie Roberts Charles Rogers Joe Hart Richard Arlen Kay Roberts Fay Wray Beatrice Stevens Jean Arthur The Weazel Francis McDonald Madame X Harold Goodwin Red Sid Saylor Tom Lawrence LaMarr Baldy Robert Perry District Attorney Wilbur Jlaclc William Crouch Monsters of the Deep (Talking Picture Epics) Interesting The interest of this film lies not in story, of which there is necessarily little or none. It is a saga of the deep sea fish of the Southern waters, telling the story of big game under the