Motion Picture Reviews (1933)

Motion Picture Reviews Three MOTION • PICTURE • REVIEWS Published monthly by THE WOMEN’S UNIVERSITY CLUB LOS ANGELES BRANCH AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN Mrs. Chester Ommaney, Preview Chairman Mrs. Madison J. Keeney, Bus. Manager Mrs. George Bauer, Assistant Mrs. Bruce A. Findlay, Asst. Business Manager Mrs. John Vruwink Co-Chairmen Mrs. Palmer Cook EDITORS Mrs. J. Allen Davis Mrs. Palmer Cook Mrs. Arthur Jones Mrs. F. H. Partridge Mrs. John Vruwink Mrs. Walter Van Dyke Mrs. Margaret Argo Address all communications to The Women’s University Club, 943 South Hoover St., Los Angeles, Calif. 1 Oe Per Copy $1.00 Per Year Vol. IV JANUARY, 1933 No. 1 FEATURE FILMS ♦ THE ANIMAL KINGDOM » » Ann Harding, Leslie Howard, Myrna Loy. From the stage play by Philip Barry. Direction by E. H. Griffith. R.K.O. Pathe. When the usual attributes hoped for in a wife appear unexpectedly in “the other woman,” we find a new problem and, under the artful guidance of Philip Barry, a new viewpoint. The play is a satire on the weaknesses of so-called conventional people. It is invested with a wealth of witty dialogue which is enhanced by the skilful interpretation of a superb cast. There is nothing superfluous, not a word or gesture without significance. It is the kind of play which gives one a keen sense of satisfaction in having been clever enough to appreciate its fine points. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Too sophisticated No and mature BILLION DOLLAR SCANDAL » » Robert Armstrong, James Gleason, Olga Baclanova, Constance Cummings. Direction by Harry Joe Brown. Paramount-Publix. “Big Business” and “Shady Politics” combine to put over a gigantic swindle, but the racket is exposed and the public saved by the honesty of an ex-convict. The excellent cast make the most of this ironic situation and stress with grim humor the fact that decency and conscience are not the exclusive posses sions of the “Best People.” It is good entertainment for any audience mature enough to comprehend its import. Adolescents, 12 to 18 Children, 8 to 12 Questionable No ■w CAVALCADE » » Diana Wynyard, Clive Brook, Una O’Connor, Herbert Mundin. From the play by Noel Coward. Direction by Frank Lloyd. Fox. Those who are interested in the development of motion pictures will be particularly gratified by “Cavalcade,” for with its serious and significant theme, and restraint and brilliance of production, it seems to us to mark a milestone in cinema history. Portraying the lives of one English family from 1900 to the New Year of 1933, it in reality gives the history of England and the gradual changes in its social structure which revolutionary events have brought about. Noel Coward has expressed himself as being entirely satisfied by the picture and pleased that the spirit of his play has been caught so accurately. Without having seen the play it is difficult to imagine that it could have been as dramatically impressive, for the theme lends itself perfectly to the wider scope of the motion picture. The all-English cast give beautiful performances, and to each might be offered special praise. But to the production heads and to Mr. Lloyd, the director, must go highest commendation for the restraint and