Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1930)

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November 22, 19 3 0 Motion Picture News 45 Opinions on Pictures Under Suspicion {Fox) Way, Way Off {Reviewed by Red Kami) YOUR contract may compel you to give this a ride, but slip it in and take the rap. "Under Suspicion" is way under par. The audience may find some amusement in the title. That is, after it lamps the picture, but the proceedings are really sad. The story has to deal with the veteran formula of the Northwest Mounted Police, but in this instance J. Harold Murray, the stalwartas-usual hero, doesn't get his man. They made it that much different at least. It seems that Murray, or Smith in the picture, had a war record that wasn't so good. He had shielded a younger brother for the honor of the family and when he joins the mounted in the Canadian Northwest where, the picture would have you believe, civilization and modern conveniences prevail at their best, he finds the past creeping up on him via a jealous and very musical comedy heavy played by George Brent. Murray meets Lois Moran, of course, and the romance develops. That's a startling idea for you. Brent tries to do Murray dirt by securing his war record from Whitehall and almost succeeds, but Lois' love saves him from disgrace. That's about all there is to it except a pretty good sequence where Murray rescues Miss Moran's father by aeroplane from a dangerous forest fire. Of suspense, there is none. The acting is extremely indifferent and the songs about on a parity with the rest of the production ingredients. If your public goes for photographic highlights, however, recommend "Under Suspicion." The picture was shot at Jasper National Park in Canada and is beautiful scenically. On two occasions and for no good reason, Murray, who has a fine singing voice, breaks out into warbles, although his songs have nothing particularly to do with the story development. Through a lot of sequences, a musical accompaniment is supposed to carry along the action, yet it is difficult to figure the why and the wherefore. The impression is consequently gathered that "Under Suspicion" was produced on the Fox lot before the sales department had time to tell the Coast that musicals had fallen from public grace. Muster all of the short subject strength possible. The picture needs wholesale support. Produced and distributed by Fox. Story, screen version and dialogue by Tom Barry. Directed by A. F. Ericson. Lyrics and music by James F. Hanley and Joseph McCarthy. Edited by J. Edwin Robbins. Photographed by George Schneiderman. Length, 5,800 feet. Running time, 65 mins. Release date Jan. 4, 1931. THE CAST John Smith J. Harold Murray Alice Freil Lois Moran Doyle J. M. Kerrigan Darby Erwin Connelly Freil Lumsden Hare Inspector Turner George Brent Suzanne Marie Saxon Marie Rhoda Cross Major Manners Herbert Bunston The Utah Kid (Tiffany) Just Fair {Reviewed by Charles F. Hynes) TH E Y'V E invested this with some good production values, but in spite of that fact it registers as only a fair western for the double feature and daily change houses. Rex Lease isn't so hot as a cowboy, which hurts the picture's appeal. Dorothy Sebastian, appearing opposite, hasn't a great deal to do, but she is a pretty heroine and her name probably will help the draw. Walter Miller, Mary Carr, Tom Short Subjects Strange As It Seems {Universal) Excellent THE third in the John Hix series of oddities in all parts of the world, and packed with human interest from start to finish. Photographed in Multicolor and accompanied by a synchronized lecture, the units include a 70year-old hermit who has created a veritable paradise for himself in the Hollywood hills and makes daily visits to Hollywood in abbreviated garb; a pet animal cemetery in Los Angeles, with a huge mausoleum, an angleworm farm which ships bait to all parts of the country, a Japanese "mentalist" who sticks large needles through himself and his pupils, and some effective views showing how, early in the war, French aviators brought down enemy planes by hurling bricks at the propellors. Fine for all audiences. Running time, 10 minutes. The Love Punch {Universal) Stale CHARLIE MURRAY and George Sidney again appear as business associates who are constantly quarreling, and who get tangled up with "Poison Ivy," a female whose hobby in life is to marry a man and poison him during the wedding feast. Sidney marries her while she's in jail in order to cash in on a $50,000 legacy — and from that point on the story becomes so insane and the direction so flabby that groans are in order. Directed by Nat Ross. Running time, 19 minutes. Audio Review No. 45 (Pathe) Excellent EXCEPTIONAL scenic views, enhanced by color tones, make this short outstanding. Especially beautiful are the shots of Elk Lake in the Adirondacks and of the Land of Canaan, with several shots of the River Jordan and the stretch of country over which Moses led his Santschi and Lafe McKee are other members of the cast. The story has to do with a young outlaw (Rex Lease) who marries a girl to prevent her from being harmed by members of his band. The girl had become lost and wandered into the gang's hands. The girl is engaged to the sheriff, who is hot on the heels of the outlaw. After a battle at the gang's headquarters, Lease determines to go straight. He rescues the sheriff after a gun battle, and when the head of the outlaw band comes for him, they shoot it out. The girl then decides that Lease is the man of her choice. There is some good action and fine photography in this, but the story misses. Direction is O. K. Comedy and musical shorts will help. Produced and distributed by Tiffany. Directed by Richard Thorpe. Story and continuity by Frank Howard Clarke. Photographed by Arthur Reed. Length. 4,408 feet. Running time, 49 minutes. Release date, Oct. 27. THE CAST Cal Reynolds Rex Lease Jenny Dorothy Sebastian Butch Thomas Santschi Aunt Ada Mary Carr Sheriff Eentley Walter Miller Parson Joe Lafe McKee Baxter Boris Karloff Deputy Bud Osborne people out of bondage. Then we are taken into the forests in the State of Washington, where big men cut down big trees and tree trunks, 9 feet apart, are used as railroad tracks. The issue closes with a tour of a radio studio while Walter Damrosch is conducting one of his national musical appreciation hours. Milton J. Cross is shown announcing the feature, whereupon the musician conducts his program. Running time, 11 minutes. Golf Nuts {Educational) Fine PAUL TERRY, through draughtsmanship and expert synchronizing of music and sound effects combined with plenty of genuine laughs, succeeds again in scoring a fine cartoon release in the Educational-Terrytoon subject, "Golf Nuts." Broad and humorous treatment of the miniature golf fad, with the play taking place through a course composed of the most ridiculous obstacles and ending up with a fast and furious chase of a miniature auto by a motor cycle squad combine to make the subject one of great appeal to all classes of audiences, kids especially. Running time, 6 minutes. Tito Schipa {Paramount) Misses ALTHOUGH Schipa's singing is very good, this doesn't rate high as a short, because straight operatic numbers with their inevitable close-ups get boresome and tedious. This has two selections, one the familiar air from the opera "Martha," and the other an original. A little stagecraft in the presentation of this would have helped considerably. Running time, 9 minutes. Japan in Cherry Blossom Time (FitsPatrick) Diverting Short JAMES A. FITZPATRICK in another of these highly entertaining travelogues. He takes the spectator on a trip to the picturesque spots in old Japan. There are the beautiful cherry trees, which never bear fruit, the Buddhist idol and the sacred temples. It's a well done film which should please generally. Running time, 9 minutes. Travelin' Alone {Paramount) Good Short ROBERT BRUCE tries something different from his usual line in this subject, which presents a group of hoboes reclining near a water tower. They get off a number of familiar songs, including "Come On, You Seven" and "Frankie and Johnny." It's billed as a scenic novelty, but it's a straight song number, well done and entertaining. Running time, 10 minutes. ■ Felix Fernandino (Imperial Pictures) Poor THIS is a pretty weak short, which fails to click. Only the work of a couple of acrobats saves it. An orchestra number sags considerably. Running time, 9 minutes. Mardi Gras ( Universal) Good UNIVERSAL is constantly adding to the production values of this series of sound "Leather Pushers," and they maintain their general interest although the story follows a general formula, a little romance lead