Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1929)

1264 Motion Picture News Opinions On Picture "The Golfers" (Educational Sennett — Two Reels) THE large golfing fraternity and any number of others who don't know anything about this popular game will simply "eat'' this picture up. It is another one of those highgrade two reel comedies, right up to par with the Edward Everett Hortons that Educational has been turning out of late. Get this and get it straight : the talking comedy producers, that is, some of them, have come into their own with the talking films. They have not only improved them 100 per cent but they now possess a tone they never had. They are distinctly worth a prominent position on the bill of any de luxe picture house. Harry Gribbon, cast as the Know It All Guy about golf and everything else, teams up perfectly with Andy Clyde in as funny a foursome that ever appeared on the screen or anywhere else. It's a scream for those who know their golf and it cannot fail to go over with the uninitiated. Harry is a Big Money Man who is visiting his Banker Friend. The latter has to be nice to him whether he wants to or not. Despite the fact that a real champion player is present, Harry insists upon showing how it's done — and he almost gets away with it. Moved to desperation the Banker consents to a match for a $10,000 wager. Its a close one but Thelma Hill, the Banker's daughter, plays an important part in the decision. Other plavers include Charlie Guest, Patsy O'Leary and Bert Swor. Mack Sennett directed and story and dialogue are credited to John A. Waldron. — E. G. Johnston. "Watch Your Friends" (Universal Talkie — Two Reels) IT'S a pretty good talkie comedy. Has Vernon Dent as one of the stars (other one is not credited). Direction by Dick Smith. Recounts the difficulties of four parties; a woman, her husband who comes back from jail to find a gunman intimately ensconced in his home, and a goofy little busybody who pals around with the jailbird. The gunman resents their intrusion and when he begins to bully them the two boys get mad. So does the gunman when he finds out that the dame is anxious to duck him and beat it with her convict. When he gets too rough, the boys phone the police and although they're terrified almost to death when the bad man starts his guns, they breathe freer with the arrival of the police and the arrest of their rival. It's quite funny, the little busybody being responsible for plenty of fun. The work of this chap together with the seasoned portrayal by Dent and the gunman give this a hilarious tinge certain to please the movie mobs. — Raymond Ganly. OUT OP THAT XLUMP/ J"IQM A • T I F FA NY /TAH L FRANCHISE r\. f ^ x i*-^ it . ^^^H ■ "> M ^JB^ » m Alan Hale plays the big husky boy friend of little Sally Eilers in "Sailors' Holiday" the new Pathe comedy in dialogue "Big Time Charley" (Pathe Talkie — Two Reels) GEORGE LEMAIRE continues to be the busy bee on the Pathe talkie lot, this one being produced and directed by him under the label of: Manhattan Comedy. It features Lew Hearn, a sawed-off comedian. Eddie Elkins' band supplies jazz strains which filter through the night club scenes where Lew and some girlies are making whoopee. Cast, a large one, has Evelyn Knapp, Leo Kendal, Ida Fitzhugh, Shorty Biglow, Leoda Knapp, Dick Lancestcr, Jack LeMaire, Gordon Kelly, Terry Carroll and Phyllis Cameron. Story has its climax when wife and Lew's boss visit the same night club and find him galavanting with the pair of females Production is tinctured with good total of laughs, especially in a scene where the night club proprietor, resentful of the fact that Lew has brought his own lunch, chides him rather forcefully. There's a splash of slapstick, night club revelry and a fast enough tempo. Should satisfy.— Raymond Ganly. "Berth Marks" (M-G-M Talkie — Two Reels) IT'S a strange thing but even the mighty have their weak moments. This Hal Roach comedy is an example of how a slim idea can be stretched too far. Even if the stars are Laurel and Hardy and the reels are supplied with the Walker brand of titles, this comedy flops just the same. It even gets monotonous. Can such things be with a Laurel and Hardy opus? The boys, who are this time musicians, get on a Pullman with their grip overflowing with sheet music and a bass viol of customary large girth. The two of them try to go to sleep in the narrow upper berth and the comedy consists for the most part of medium and closeup shots of the pair in the agonies of undressing. There's nary a variation, until their station is called and they rush out leaving their fiddle behind. Even the great nod once in awhile. That must have been the reason why this two-reeler, which by the way has very little talking, is not up to the usual Roach standard. The idea of a crowd in a typical Roach comedy fight in a crowded car has also been employed for laughs. — Raymond Ganly. "The Revellers" (M-G-M Act — Two Reels) THE four songsters deliver a trio of songs, among them the popular "Goin Home." The voices are pleasing and blend nicely ; their harmonizing is quite dexterous. The boys have to be all smiles with the constant close-up, but they manage that end of their assignment well and their singing brings good cheer. There are only a few male quartets that can rival them. Be sure to play up their fame on the phonograph and arrange a tie-up with music dealers in your neighborhood. This one makes good filler for a program in want of pep. — Raymond Ganly. "My Old Kentucky Home" (Biophone Screen Song — One Reel) THIS ever-popular song has been decked out with cartoon ornamentation as well as svnchronized score ami vocal harmonizing by the Roxy Quartet. The number is a well balanced and developed one that's sure to please any American crowd. It is one of tin Inkwell cartoons, produced by S. Roy Lubj and presented by Alfred Weiss. Good quality pervades it through' int. There's no reason at all why these song cartoons can't successfully invade the foreign market, too. Cartoons and music make a good combination capahlc of breaking through the harrier of language. In this country tin I ph.. ne screen song should find a gratifying response.— Raymond Ganly. "No Boy Wanted" (Universal Talkie — Two Reels) OF more merit by far than "Baby Talks," first of the "Sunny Jim" talking comedies. Where that one was haphazard and sour, this one stands up as good movie fare for kids and adults alike. The recording is good and so is H. Beaudine's direction. About the only fault apparent is that Sunny Jim speaks with too much restraint; his diction is clear but it shows that he has received some stiff coaching. A more) naturally childish delivery would suit him better. The story has to do with the kid's efforts to be adopted by a couple, the feminine half of which doesn't like boys. The youngster has a happy time pestering the hubbie, giving the butler hysterics and finally being adopted by the lady into the home where in a short space of time he has caused a near riot.— Raymond Ganly. "Summer Harmonies" (Biophone Screen Song — One Reel) THIS is one of the Inkwell song cartoons, produced by S. Roy Luby for presentation by Alfred Weiss, with orchestral work under the baton of Carl Edouarde. Pinkv the Pup. Luby's character, is used in the brief comedy introduction to the s..ng proper. Recording, which was done at the Metro Studios, Fort Lee, N. J., is well done. After a brief cartoon interlude during which Pinky works up to the song, the tune itself is intoned with great volume, the bouncing ball inexorably maintaining the rhythm, and the cartoon figures tripping gaily along the lyrics when the bouncing ball has done its work. The action is well worked out and goes hand and hand with the words and music. A good novelty. — Raymond Ganly. "Emil Boreo" (M-G-M Act — One Reel) KNOWN here and abroad for his work in "Chauve Souris," this star has a chance only in the cities in the U. S. where the Bailer production played. As for movie audiences, whose proportions are so much vaster than the i.w who support the stage productions, Boreo won't mean a thing and even it he did his siock would drop after the movie hugs got a look .it him in this Movietone act He's not so hot, not by any means. Audiences won't get bet up about this one The overwhelming majority won't enjoy sitting through it. If you are located in a French « tion, then play up the st.n Rayn >l Ganly.