Motion Picture Reviews (1941)

Six MOTION PICTURE REVIEWS MARRY THE BOSS'S DAUGHTER O O Brenda Joyce, Bruce Edwards, George Barbier, Hardie Albright, Ludwig Stossel, Bodil Rosing, Brandon Tynan, Charles Arnt. Story suggested by one called "The Boy, the Girl and the Dog." Screen play by Jack Andrews. Direction by Thornton Freeland. 20th Century-Fox. The title gives away the story. A young man returns a lost dog to its owner, a manufacturing tycoon, and secures a job as efficiency expert, in which capacity he becomes so bumptious that he almost loses his opportunity for business success; however, he seizes his golden moment by marrying the boss’ daughter. Some of the minor characters are overdrawn, but most of the cast is likable and the ramifications of the plot are sufficiently convincing to make this a satisfactory program picture. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Yes Little interest ❖ THE MEN IN HER LIFE O O Loretta Young, Conrad Veidt, Dean Jagger, Eugenie Leontovich, John Shepperd, Otto Kruger, Paul Baratoff, Ann Todd, Billy Bates, Tom Ladd. Screen play by Frederick Kohner, Michael Wilson, Paul Trivers. Based on novel "Ballerina" by Lady Eleanor Smith. Dance director, Adolph Bolm. Musical director, David Raskin. Direction by Gregory Ratoff. Columbia Pictures. Possibly “Ballerina,” the title of the novel from which this film is adapted, would have been more appropriate than the one selected, because the story concerns a woman, a talented and beautiful one, whose driving ambition for self-expression requires her sacrifice of other ideals. The men in her life form her background. Even when they direct the course of her achievement, as in the case of her first husband, one feels that she is the tour de force, that had he failed her, she would have found other means to reach her goal. The film is both entertaining and convincing, showing clearly the demands on the individual as well as the applause to be gained from an artistic career. The picture is distinguished by the radiant personality of Miss Young. The beautiful and elaborate period costumes of the 1860’s are very becoming to her type of beauty and with the interesting sets add greatly to the enjoyment. The choreography has been skillfully directed and exquisite stage ensembles will attract lovers of classical dancing. The cast is well chosen and there is real integrity in the presentation of the social problem of an artiste who must choose between home and public life. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 If interested in Nothing romance objectionable THE NIGHT OF JANUARY 16th O O Robert Preston, Ellen Drew, Nils Asther, Clarence Kolb, Willard Robertson, Cecil Kellaway, Donald Douglas, Margaret Mayes, Paul Stanton. Based on the play by Ayn Rand. Direction by Williams Clemens. Paramount. Although this murder mystery moves swiftly and holds interest until the final shot, the plot shows evidence of hasty compilation, and certain minor points are not clarified. When several million dollars are missing from the coffers of a large stock-broker’s firm and simultaneously a corpse is identified as that of the president of the company, suspicion for both crimes falls upon his beautiful blonde secretary. A chivalrous young stockholder comes to her defense, and it takes their combined effort and ingenuity to trace the real criminal. Some unnecessary innuendo accompanies scenes on a plane journey, but on the whole the humorous incidents are appropriate. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Holds interest Unsuitable ❖ RISE AND SHINE O O Jack Oakie, George Murphy, Linda Darnell, Walter Brennan, Milton Berle, Sheldom Leonard, Donald Meek, Ruth Donnelly, Raymond Walburn, Donald MacBride, Emma Dunn. Screen play by Herman Mankiewicz, based on the book "My Life and Hard Times" by James Thurber Dances staged by Herman Pan. Lyrics and music by Leo Robin and Ralph Rainger. Musical direction, Emil Newman. Direction by Allan Dawn. 20th Century-Fox. No doubt admirers of James Thurber’s satirical humor will question the adaptation of “Mv Life and Hard Times” into, of all things, a musical comedy. But do not be dismayed, for the script has profited by some of the most incredible situations and uproarious characters that we have seen for many months. These must have been suggested by the master humorist, and casting and direction has carried out the spirit of his fun ingeniously. Jack Oakie is given the role of Boley Blocticie’ivczy, moron halfback on the team of good old Clayton College, a school with a deficit to be recouped on the Big Game. Grandpa, Civil War veteran, runs a household of individualists who remind us of some we met in “You Can’t Take It with You.” Professor and Mrs. Murray, curiously human eccentrics, have hilarious lines. The gangsters, one of whom fancies himself “Seabiscuit,” and all the others, are unique. You will enjoy the absurdities and have a thoroughly good time. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Great fun Yes