Motion Picture Reviews (1930)

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FEATURE FILMS NOTE — Publicity or “the box office” seems to demand sacrifices unintelligible at times to the mere layman. The pleasantly entertaining “Singer of Seville” (reviewed August, 1930) becomes “The Call of The Flesh”; “The Richest Man in The World (reviewed July, 1930) is released as “Sins of The Children.” ANIMAL CRACKERS. The Four Marx Brothers. Directed by Victor Heerman. Based on stage play by George Kaufman, and Morris Ryskind. Paramount. The inimitable quartet, the Marx Brothers, present a type of wit, enjoyment of which is entirely a matter of taste. It is hilarious nonsense with a keen touch of burlesque. In “Animal Crackers” Groucho, Chico, Harpo, and Zeppo mingle in Long Island society and become involved in the loss of a valuable painting. The fun is typical of the broad humor of farce comedy, and the clowning will appeal to children as well as to adults. Adolescents, 12 to 16. Children, 6 to 12. Yes. Harmless. ARE YOU THERE. Beatrice Lillie. Direction by Hamilton MacFadden. Fox. The successful efforts of a lady detective to thwart a band of international crooks in their attempts to prey upon British royalty, are depicted in farcial manner. The plot is of no significance. The picture a succession of episodes in which slapstick situations are handled with subtlety and restraint. Miss Lillie displays her usual scintillating brilliance as a comedian. Entertainment value will probably be a matter of taste. Adolescents, 12 to 16. Children, 6 to 12. Yes. Probably quite amusing. THE BAD MAN. Walter Huston, O. P. Heggie. Based on play by Porter Emerson Browne. Direction by Clarence Badger. First National. This version of the well known stage play is very entertaining and is distinguished by Mr. Huston’s interesting interpretation of the character of the “bad man”, whose code of ethics is very real if not the conventionally accepted one. The settings are beautiful, the cast excellent, and the story amusing and dramatic Adolescents, 12 to 16. Children, 6 to 12. Depends on individual. Not suitable. BORROWED WIVES. Vera Reynolds, Rex Lease. Direction by Frank Strayer. Tiffany. A farce comedy of no special interest but yet at times broadly amusing. In order to receive a legacy the hero must be married before midnight on a certain date. His fiancee meets with all manner of delays in trying to cross the country in time, while a vampish siren tries to take her place at his end of the line. Adolescents, 12 to 16. Children, 6 to 12. Not recommended. No. CANYON HAWK. Rene Bordon. Direction by Alvin J. Neitz. Preview Big 4. A young cattle man falls in love with a girl in the sheep business, to the disgust of his fellow cow men. He saves her from a treacherous plot and a dishonest foreman. This western is too poor •in production to recommend for any audience. Adolescents, 12 to 16. Children, 6 to 12. No. No. — o THE DAWN PATROL. Richard Barthelmess, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Neil Hamilton. Direction by Howard Hawks. First National. A war drama of aerial combat which is distinguished by good acting and direction and by excellent photography. It is unique in having no love story. The