Motion Picture Reviews (1930)

INGAGI The recent publicity concerning the Congo Pictures release, “Ingagi”, recalls to our embarrassed attention the fact that the June issue of this Bulletin recommended it highly, especially for its educational and authentic qualities. The members of the committee who reviewed it accepted in all sincerity the Producers’ statements of its authenticity and we were not alone in being deceived. We are not now criticizing it from an entertainment point of view, for it is a clever stunt, but of course to many it will hold no interest when it is known to be a fake. Since the Motion Picture Committee of the Women’s University Club was quite sincere in believing that it could honestly recommend the film, it feels a certain responsibility in now refuting it. If this incident makes the public more skeptical of other travel films it will be very unfortunate. As “the clever handiwork of some smart boys in Hollywood”, Ingagi was perhaps amusing. But we must admit that we are not so filled with admiration, for their “courage” as we once were. Mrs. John Vruwink, General Chairman Mrs. Palmer Cook, Subscriptions Mrs. Walter Van Dyke, Vice-Chairman Mrs. George Ryall, Previews FEATURE FILMS AROUND THE CORNER. George Sidney, Charles Murray. Direction by Bert Glennon. R.K.O. An hilarious comedy which concerns the adoption of a door-step baby by an Irishman and a Jew. Their candidates for her matrimonial adventure 18 years later, prove unsatisfactory to the girl who marries the man of her own choice and all ends happily. Adolescents, 12 to 16. Children, 6 to 12. Very entertaining. Good fun. THE BIG HOUSE. Robert Montgomery, Chester Morris, Wallace Beery. Direction by George Hill. M.G.M. “The Big House” is a drama of prison life, picturing a definite social problem. Interest is centered, not so much in the plot, as in the grim life of the human beings imprisoned, and it becomes in a way propaganda for improved conditions and better methods of correction. It is thought provoking and interesting, and as entertainment certainly more constructive than pictures portraying the exciting lives of racketeers before they pay their debt to society. It is of course best suited to adult appreciation. Adolescents, 12 to 16. Children, 6 to 12. Not recommended. No. THE BORDER LEGION. Richard Arlen, Jack Holt. Based on story by Zane Grey. Direction by Otto Brower, and E. Knoff. Paramount. One of the most adventurous of Mr. Grey’s Western stories, in which a band of outlaws, known as the Border Legion, and led by a fascinating bandit, commits many acts of vandalism until finally annihilated (thus satisfying the accepted creed that evil is always punished). It gives a picture of the lack of accepted law and order in existence in earlier days, and is thrilling and entertaining of its type. We must admit it guilty of — 2 —