Motion Picture Reviews (1933)

Four Motion Picture Reviews beauty of production. By incident or a single shot, world important events are suggested in a new and dignified technique which flatters audience intelligence. Because of the stirring drama it is hard to appreciate fully the accuracy of settings, costumes, and background, but all combine to create one of the finest of motion pictures. Mark “Cavalcade” on your calendar as not to be missed. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Excellent Cood •v CENTRAL PARK » » Joan Blondell, Wallace Ford, Cuy Kibbee. Direction by John Alolphi. First National. Here is one more “movie” built upon the “Grand Hotel” structure. This time the locale is Central Park in New York City. The dramatis personae include a young couple who are in love, a partly blind policeman, an insane keeper of the lions and a roaming lion. A highlight in the story is the killing of one keeper by the lion, and of course there are bandits. Scenes of the park are beautifully photographed. The picture might appeal to homesick New Yorkers. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Waste of time No •V DAVID COLDER » * Harry Bauer. Direction by Julien Duvivier. A Vandal-Delac Production. Completely removed from the average Hollywood spectacle, this French film approaches reality in its depiction of human nature and emotions. It is heavy, gripping, intensely dramatic and emotional, the story of a man whose life has been sacrificed to satisfy the demands of his selfish, avaricious wife. Golder, the kindly slaving Jew, is particularly well played by Harry Bauer. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Too intense and depressing No yr THE DEVIL IS DRIVING » » Edmund Lowe, Wynne Gibson, James Gleason, Lois Wilson, Dickie Moore. Direction by Ben Stollof. Paramount-Publix. This is an exceedingly tragic and altogether discomfitting picture. One leaves the theatre with a feeling of horror, hoping that individuals inclined toward crime will somehow be prevented from seeing it. Having for its theme the stolen car racket it is composed of a succession of thrills, murders .and automobile wrecks. Five persons are killed in wrecks, and one little boy is frightfully in jured. The moral is supposed to show that crime doesn’t pay, but one is impressed with the fact that it is a very efficient lesson in how to commit crime and evade the law. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No No FAST LIFE » » William Haines, Cliff Edwards, Madge Evans. Direction by Harry Pollard. From a novel by E. J. Rath. M.G.M. To the accompaniment of numerous wisecracks, a speedboat engine is perfected and our hero wins the race and the girl. It is a silly but wholesome comedy. The dialogue and action are obvious and reminiscent of earlier days in motion picture production. While it cannot be recommended for an audience which requires intelligence even in light comedy, it is passable as an innocuous timekiller. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Fair Fair FAREWELL TO ARMS » » Helen Hayes, Gary Cooper, Adolphe Menjou. Direction by Frank Borzage. Paramount-Publix. Because of the wide popularity of Mr. Hemingway’s book this picture has been awaited almost with bated breath. We do not think that anyone should be disappointed, for while the picture differs somewhat in spirit from the book in several ways, the changes have probably made it better for screen purposes. It places more emphasis on the spiritual qualities, less on sordid minutiae, and is necessarily condensed so that one’s mind may be more clearly focused on the principal theme. Against a flaming background of war, the romance of Katherine and Frederick unfolds with a rarely surpassed beauty and tenderness. Helen Hayes and Gary Cooper portray the desperate poiquancy of love with such sureness and emotion that the intimacy is sometimes unbearably moving. The director is skilfully aware of the dramatic possibilities of human relationships — their beauty and delicacy as contrasted with the grim realities of war. In its depth of feeling there is never a false note — a sincere and compelling story which should appeal to every mature audience. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No, too mature and confusing No