Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1932)

96 MOTION PICTURE HERALD October 8, 1932 Square Garden" during the run of the picture. That is always good for plenty of free publicity. , Also because of the type of the Picture, it mi^ht be a good idea to surround it with short subjects and news reels that feature a sporting tinge and label your play dates as an AllSport" event.— McCarthy, Hollywood. A Charles R. Rogers Production distributed by Paramount. Directed by Harry Joe Browrt Ongmal story by Thomson Burtus. Screen play by r. J. Wolfson'and Allen Rivkin. Photographed by Henry Sharp. Release date, Oct. 7, 1932. Running time, 74 minutes. CAST ^Burice ;:;;;;;:;;:Thoma^eS y Martin Nixon Brfss^ Warren Hymer |pWilh-V: William Collar., Sr. &;Vr,!r:.^: , Lew Cody The Crusader (Majestic) Drama An independent production, this picture compares very favorably with the output of any of the larger studios. The exhibitor has the advantage of salable names of long standing, a well handled and meaty dramatic situation, good performances and a title which can be made dramatic with the proper punch lines. The crusader in this case is a hard-hitting district attorney lacking armor but faced with plenty of opposition in his efforts to clean up his city. His chief opposition comes from a tabloid newspaper and a scandal-thirsty, dirtdigging reporter. Here are the two best performances in the film, with H. B. Warner alwavs dependable, as the district attorney, and Ned'Sparks, sharp tongued and bitter, in a rich characterization as the reporter. Evelyn Brent plays the wife of Warner, and the dirt Sparks digs up about her past as the sweetheart of a night club operator, played by Lew Cody, forms the ax which Sparks urges upon his paper as the means of decapitating Warner. When Warner's sister becomes involved with Walter Byron, a crook, Miss Brent attempts to save her, and when the sister kills Byron at the night club, Cody shields them both by confessing to a crime he did not commit. Warner is faced with that highly dramatic situation, with the truth coming out and the sister, played by Marceline Day, going to trial and winning acquittal. The work of Sparks is responsible directly for most of the dramatic force in the film, but he is ably assisted all the way down the line. Evelyn Brent and H. B. Warner are the best marquee names, but Sparks should be featured very near the top, where he will amply justify the position. The story is developed cleanly, forcefully, with no waste motion and enough comedy, chiefly in dialogue, to impart a slight change of pace now and again, where it does the most good. Sell this as a good piece of straightforward screen drama. There are several working angles. The crusading district attorney, who is willing to sacrifice his own reputation to see justice done is one line. The idea of the woman, Miss Brent, who is ready to give up everything for the man she loves, is another. The newspaper slant, with the scandal sheet and its reporter failing in its design of intimidating and whipping the district attorney, is a natural for advertising lines. This is definitely adult screen fare, with nothing to appeal to children.— Aaronson, New York. Produced and distributed by Majestic Pictures. Directed by Frank Strayer. From the play by Wilson Collison. Screen story by Edward T. Lowe. Editor, Otis Garrett. Photography by Ira Morgan. Sound, Earl Crain. Release date, October 1, 1932. Running time, 72 minutes. CAST Evelvn Brent Tess Brandon H B Warner Phillip Brandon Lew Cody U,V?>y ^-Dale Ned Sparks Eddie Crane Walter Byron Joe Carson Marceline Dav Marcia Brandon John St. Polis Robert Henley Arthur Hovt Oscar Shane Ara Harwell Madge Joseph Girard Corrigan Le Bal (Protex Trading) Comedy Drama This newest importation from the Parisian studios of Marcel Vandac and Charles Delac is entertaining enough, but because it is allFrench, without any English explanation of the dialogue, the selling of "Le Bal" must depend almost entirely on an appeal directed to French people, to students, and to those who have traveled to Paris or are otherwise familiar with the country and its language. True, there is no difficulty in following the action, which is explained in English in advance, but much of the delightful humor, merry jesting and delightful banter is lost to those who do not understand the language. Director William Thiele deftly brings out the natural charm of the simple but happy life of a small middleclass family around which the story is woven. Their life is depicted in easygoing style and obviously Mr. Thiele gave more thought to the gentle caricature than he did to the technical aspects of production. As a result, lighting and staging in the earlier sequences are rather spotty, but when father, mother and young daughter suddenly find themselves devastatingly rich and their simple life is transplanted to a grand home, full of servants and elegance, the director reveals a skillful hand in the use of elaborate settings, masterly staging and unrestrained elegance. Alfred, a tradesman, his wife Jeanne and their daughter, Antoinette, all of provincial tastes and homely virtues, are thoroughly happy with one another until a heap of worthless paper suddenly becomes extremely valuable and they are wealthy beyond their wildest dreams. A palatial home and life in grand style follows. But the homeliness of their earlier devotion is lost in the struggle to reach a new and higher social plane. Disillusionment brings an awakening to the folly of their new life and once again they are found united. Especially commendable are the characterizations of Alfred, Antoinette and the daughter's music teacher, Aunt Isabelle. They work effectively and convincingly to bring out the sheer honesty of the amusing burlesque on what happens when suddenly rich find themselves far removed from the unostentatious surroundings to which they had long been accustomed. Charming filmfare and delightful entertainment within its field. — Cunningham, New York. Produced by Marcel Vandal and Charles Delac. Distributed by Protex Trading Corp. Directed by William Thiele. ■ Story from the novel by Irene I^emirovsky. Adaptation by S. Fodor and S. Siodmak. Music by W. R. Heymann. Running time, 80 min'utes. CAST Alfred Andre Lefaur Jeanne, his wife Germaine Dermoz Antoinette, their daughter Danielle Darrieux Aunt Isabelle Marguerite Pierry Betty Wanda Greville Marcel de Brecourt Pierre De Guingand An Oriental Cocktail (Vitaphone) Interesting There is wide appeal and should be general interest in this motion picture excursion, which touches the shores of practically all the Oriental countries under the able guidance of E. M. Newman, travel talk concocter for Vitaphone. His accompanying verbal descriptions are clear, straightforward and interesting. China, Japan, the Philippines, Bali and other sections are in turn visited briefly. — Rnnning time, 10 minutes. Mickey's Nightmare (United Artists) Amusing Mickey Mouse continues to demonstrate his right to a place as one of the screen's starring figures — animated or otherwise. In this instance, he dreams of marrying Minnie, and being afficted with innumerable animated youngsters. Their destructive antics in the house are diverting, highly amusing. — Running time, 7 minutes. A Column of Successful Showmen! H. S. HAYASHINO Lincoln Theatre Company Stockton, Calif. "Columbia's product is always 100% good for our house and our motto is 'Always with Columbia.' I have been using Columbia pictures for many years. I recommend them." A. M. BEARE The Gem Theatre Chester, III. "I am now in my twenty-fourth year as an exhibitor. I have used Columbia pictures ever since they have been on the market. I find that Columbia gives me as good a product as any of the big companies." M. G. LEE Lee Theatres Georgia Mr. Lee, a fine successful South Georgia exhibitor, has just signed up 100% Columbia product for all three of his theatres in Cuthbert, Dawson and Eufaula. He is one of thousands of exhibitors who "Prosper with Columbia." 'A Sure D o u g h -g ette r." Film Daily WASHINGTON MERRY-GO-ROUND