Motion Picture Reviews (1941)

MOTION PICTURE REVIEWS Seven Morgan as the scion of a wealthy old Philadelphia family, James Craig in the contrasting role of the doctor whose line of interest presupposes a life of struggle and simple living, and Ernest Cossart as Kitty’s rascally father whose keen vision anticipates the grief which follows when she marries out of her social class. The love scenes between Kitty and W yn are among the most beautiful ever filmed. The production is deeply moving and should have wide audience appeal, especially with women. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Mature, but essentially Too mature sound in its philosophy LET'S MAKE MUSIC O O Bob Crosby, Jean Rogers, Elizabeth Risdon, Joseph Buloff, Joyce Compton, Bennie Bartlett, Louis Jean Heydt. Screen play by Nathaniel West. Direction by Leslie Goodwins. Musical direction by Roy Webb. RKO-Radio. Although Bob Crosby is featured in this, his first screen appearance, it would seem to be Elizabeth Risdon’s picture. She plays a mousey, elderly school teacher whose first attempt at composing, a popular song for school use, attracts the attention of a bandmaster and is featured as a “hit.” Her adventures in New York as a celebrity are naively entertaining, although scarcely credible. Bob Crosby has looks, a pleasing personality and an excellent voice. His acting will be more assured when he has had longer experience. The band will be an attraction, although it is doubtful if the selections will make “The Hit Parade.” There is a very nice feeling about the film because everyone in it is kind and gracious. There is no villain in the story, and when the lady finds that her creative ability has run its gamut, she contentedly returns to school teaching, satisfied with her one exciting fling and her niece’s romance. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Matter of taste No interest ❖ LOVE THY NEIGHBOR O O Jack Benny, Fred Allen, Mary Martin, Verree Teasdale, Eddie Anderson (Rochester), Virginia Dale, Theresa Harris, Richard Denning, Jack Carson, Chester Clute, The Merry Macs and the Merriel Abbott Dancers. Original screen play by William Morrow, Edmund Beloin, Ernest Pagano and Z. Myers. Produced and directed by Mark Sandrich. Paramount. The feud of Jack Benny and Fred Allen continues on the screen and remains as unsettled as ever, an even draw. It is a matter of taste as to whether one enjoys seeing men make faces at each other, but at least the popular entertainers are visible and the humor is characteristic. Fred Allen is discovered nursing a nervous breakdown because of his rival’s proximity. Fred's niece (Mary Martin) sets out to attempt some sort of truce and ends by singing in Jack’s show. A temporary compromise seems at last imminent, but the picture ends on the same note of discord. Mary Martin sings the song, My Heart Belongs to Daddy, which brought her into the public eye. There are several spectacular scenes and Rochester again becomes enamored with Josephine, but he has not the amusing lines he had in former Jack Benny films. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 1 2 A matter of taste Little interest ❖ MAISIE WAS A LADY O O Ann Sothern, Lew Ayres, Maureen O'Sullivan, C. Aubrey Smith, Joan Perry, Paul Cavanaugh, Edward Ashley. Story by Betty Reinhardt and Mary C. McCall, Jr. Screen play by Betty Reinhardt and Mary C. McCall, Jr. Direction by Edwin L. Marin. M-G-M. Maisie rises like a skyrocket in this picture. Starting as the headless lady in a carnival, she is brought by a chance encounter to the portals of a country estate so vast in proportions and so important that she is dazzled; in fact, it is so aristocratic that the part of the butler is played by C. Aubrey Smith. Quick witted Maisie finds that family affairs are in a sorry state, that wealth cannot compensate for brotherly or fatherly affection or form a basis for romantic love, and Maisie does something about it. This is a lively picture with some interesting situations and a pleasing cast. While Lew Ayres plays the young waster who is inebriated most of the time, his condition is explained bv his lack of a vital incentive in life — and Maisie supplies that. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Questionable because No of the drinking ❖ MICHAEL SHAYNE, PRIVATE DETECTIVE Lloyd Nolan, Marjorie Weaver, Joan Valerie, Walter Abel, Elizabeth Patterson, Donald McBride, Douglas Dumbrille, Clarence Kolb. Based on a novel by Brett Halliday. Screen play by Stanley Rauh and Manning O'Connor. Direction by Eugene Forde. 20th Century-Fox. Detective story fans will find this a diverting mystery. The comedy characterizations and the dialogue are amusing, and the climax is unexpected. A wealthy man recognizing the danger his daughter is courting in her passion for gambling, engages a young detective to watch over her in his absence from the city. When a gambler with whom the girl has associated is murdered, the situation becomes serious, but the mystery is solved with the aid of the girl's delightfully amusing aunt, who is an amateur detective herself. Lloyd Nolan is excellent in his role and the supporting cast and direction are good. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Matter of taste Too complicated