Motion Picture Herald (Dec 1933–Mar 1934)

March 3, 1934 MOTION PICTURE HERALD 33 THE ING ROOM 'Illll 11' Advance outlines of productions nearing completion as seen by Gus McCarthy of Motion Picture Herald's Hollywood Bureau THREE ON A HONEYMOON Fox Behind this intriguing title is a corned}' romance story frequently spotted with light drama which has its locales on a transatlantic liner, the exotic atmosphere of semi-oriental Algerian cafes and near desert hide-aways and on the home bound boat again. Adapted from the novel "Promenade Deck" by Ishbel Ross, the story was transformed for the screen by Edward Lowe, credited with many successful scenarios, and Raymond Van Sickle. It .was directed by James Tinling. Sally Eilers, the "Bad Girl," currently starring in "She Made Her Bed," (Paramount — C. R. Rogers Production) tops the cast, and the outstanding supporting cast features Zasu Pitts, Henrietta Crosman, popular with theatregoers from "Royal Family of Broadway" to "Carolina" ; Charles Starrett, recently in "Mr. Skitch," one of the younger Fox players ; Irene Hervey, Johnny Alack Brown, Russell Simpson and Cornelius Keefe. As an almost episodic treatment prevails, the complicated romantic theme awakens new loves as well as reawakens those which those concerned wish were buried in the forgotten past lest their present states be disrupted. Sally Eilers, setting her cap for Starrett, but willing to dabble romantically anywhere, has that worthy, prodded by Grosman, weakening as the ship sails on and a festive ball is held. In Algiers the romance blossoms and as the boat sails home, the blackmailing menace to Irene Hervey is taken in hand by Sally who gets herself into a compromising situation that first chills Starrett's ardor and then has her suspected of murder. But the truth will out and as the thrill-seeking Sally plunges into a swimming pool that doesn't happen to be full of water, there is a convalescing finale which finds Starrett again the ardent swain and the comedy reliefs, Zasu Pitts and Simpson announcing that they also are going to be married. It is a bouncing, hectic yarn that looks to have plenty of merit and should be ripe for a novel, curiosity-whetting showmanship attractive to both men and women and the older young folks. MURDER IN TRINIDAD Fox Melodramatic mystery and thrill detective stuff in wierd and bizarre locales and carrying a typical romantic contrast. It was adapted from John Vandercook's novel of the same title, which was selected as the Crime Club story of the year, by Seton I. Miller, particularly adept in putting punch and sock in this type of picture, as witness "Scarface" and "The Last Mile." Setting its action in the hitherto unpictured wild tropical Caroni swamp on the Island of Trinidad, the story deals with a detective's dangerous adventures in tracking down a menacing gang of diamond smugglers, which brings about one of those mysterious unsolvable murders ordinarily highly interesting to most classes of theatregoers save those afflicted with weak hearts. Into this fabric is woven the necessary romantic angle which provides the easing contrast and permits the selling of something other than puzzling, nerve-jingling mystery. Directed by Louis King, who lately did "Life In the Raw" for Fox, the story presents IT'S VALUABLE IN SINGAPORE ALSO From Singapore, Straits Setin en t, writes Joe Fisher of Amalgamated Theatres, Ltd.: "As usual, I continue to enjoy the Motion Picture Herald, and 'What the Picture Did for Me' is extremely interesting to us in this part of the world in comparing the relative values of productions." the British actor Nigel Bruce, the butler in "Coming Out Party" in the leading role a^ the Scotland Yard detective. Heather Angel ( "Berkeley Square," "Charlie Chan's Greatest Case" ) is the sole bit of femininity in the cast, and about whom the Douglas Walton romance rotates. As the story unfolds, the others, Victor Jory, Pat Somerset, Claude King, Francis Ford, J. Carrol Naish and John Davidson, are either honest business men, officials or smugglers. Which is which and which is the murderer of Alurray Kinnell and menace to Bruce, Miss Angel and Walton is something that will give audiences ample opportunity to use their imaginations. The picture looks like a real treat for the mystery-thrill fans, yet possesses enough contrasting entertainment in a novel style to permit a provocative advance build-up calculated to arouse general interest. FINISHING SCHOOL RKO Radio Both an expose of life in an exclusive girls' finishing school and a dramatic romance, "Finishing School" has the appearance of being modern, lively and novel entertainment. The original story is by David Hempstead. Beside collaborating with Laird Doyle, who did the screen play on "Phantom Express," on the adaptation, Wanda Tuchock, who scenarioed "Little Women," co-directed with George Nichols, Jr., director of "Ann Vickers." As in "Maedchen In Uniform" and "Eight Girls In a Boat," girls dominate the cast which Frances Dee, Ginger Rogers, Billie Burke and Beulah Bondi head. These well known screen names are supported by the newcomers Marjorie LT,rttel, Rose Coghlan and Adylin Doyle, erstwhile Hepburn stand-in, as well as by the more experienced Sarah Padden and now adolescent Mitzi Green and Ann Cameron, sister of Dorothy Jordan. The lone important man, menace to the plans of mother Burke and Principal Bondi, and romantic, dramatic pivot of Frances Dee's love urge, is Bruce Cabot. Modernly timed and localed, given the ben.efit of striking production values, the story rips the veil of hypocritical sham from socalled smart schools where girls of wealth can break all the rules and get away with it as long as the tuition is forthcoming. Lonely, love-starved Dee, sponsored by high-flying Ginger Rogers, meets struggling medical student Cabot, and the result is the usual outcome of clandestine affairs under the moonlight. Saved from tragedy by her lover, who braves the rage of the M isses Burke and Bondi, Miss Dee finds reputation-saving happiness in marriage to Cabot. It looks like a picture with strong appeal to the Junior League, stenographer, shop girl and modern young lady trade. Likewise, one to which can be adapted the well proved old "mother-do-you-know-your-daughter" brand of showmanship. THE CRIME DOCTOR RKO Radio The melodramatic story of a perfect crime, "The Crime Doctor," is adapted from Israel Zangwill's book "The Big Bow Mystery." The screen play was prepared by Jane Murfin, recently credited with "Ann Vickers" and "After Tonight" and Norma Shearer's last picture "Smilin' Through." John Robertson, who handled "Little Orphan Annie" and "One Man's Journey" for Radio during the past year, directed. The cast is headed by the currently popular Otto Kruger, with Karen Morley, "last seen in "Dinner at Eight," but remembered for "Phantom of Crestwood" and "Washington Masquerade," in the feminine lead. Nils Asther, newly familiar because of "Right to Romance" and "By Candlelight," and the lately re-discpvered Judith Wood, assume the more important supporting roles. The story, which hinges on a series of tense situations, has Kruger, noted criminologist, because of marital difficulties, seeking to trap his wife (Karen Morley) and her lover, Asther. Killing the adventuress plant, Judith Wood, with a gun from Asther's collection when she attempts double-crossing blackmail, Kruger does not interfere, but permits pinning of the crime on Asther. The audience is in on Kruger's plot as officers and prosecutors are confounded by the chain of circumstantial evidence convicting Asther. The wife's plea after conviction brings about an unusual climax to amaze amateur crime sleuths and results in an unanticipated semi-blackout to the melodramatic yarn. .\ new type of melodramatic mystery j^arn, essayed previously with a comedy twist by Paramount in "Guilty as Hell," the story appears to have plenty of unusual showmanship angles to support the cast power as well as the general appeal usually accruing to this class of picture. To Reissue "All Quiet" Liniversal is preparing to reissue "All Quiet on the Western Front," with a new prologue citing the horrors of war. The film was released originallv in 1930. Sunday Bill Loses in Virginia A bill to permit Sunday showings in Virginia was defeated by a vote of 62 to 28 in the House at Richmond last week. Columbia Ball March 10 Columbia Pictures will hold its fourth annual ball at the Hotel Waldorf Astoria in New York on March 10.