Motion Picture Reviews (1933)

Four Motion Picture Reviews feature pictures are fairly often seen first by the Eastern committees. Time, as we all know, is of importance in the circulation of these lists.” If the previewing could be done before the pictures were released, this would not be a fact. Over ninety per cent of all feature films are made in Hollywood. The negatives are then sent to New York for printing and distribution. If a picture is “caught” at a theatre preview comment is made weeks — sometimes months — before the film appears on a theatre program. But the producing companies are reluctant to show “working prints,” therefore we wait until the negatives go East and the prints are returned for distribution. A certain percentage (we do not know what exactly) are released in the East first — the rest appear here. Time, as Mr. Milikan rightly says, is an important factor in getting our reviews to our readers so that they may be of help in their selection of motion picture entertainment. None of the bulletins published are local in their reach. The free joint estimates have a large circulation. The International Federation of Catholic Alumnae and the Women’s University Club, publishing their own reports, in addition to sitting in on the joint estimate, have mailing lists which reach over the United States and into Canada. The California Parent Teachers’ Magazine, in which their reports appear, no doubt has a wide reach also. It would be of greater value to all followers of the national organizations' reports on films if it were possible for them to see prints before the negatives were sent East. However, the groups appreciate the courtesy shown them in the previews of finished and released films. This statement is written only to correct any misunderstanding on the part of our readers that we have the power of altering or changing any film in any way. There have been several films lately released on which, we fear, the women’s shears would have been most active. Two or three delightfully entertaining features, generally perfect for any age, have been reluctantly approved because of an injected bed room scene which might have been handled quite differently. “All Quiet on the Western Front” must be responsible for many “off stage” mutterings and implicated indiscretions. Now we are surfeited by them — and the women object. It is not that they do not approve sophistication at all (i.e. “Farewell to Arms” met with general recommendation for adults) but they object to the insertion of a single sordid scene in what would otherwise be a good family picture. The general trend of motion pictures seems to be toward extreme sophistication; it is more and more difficult to recommend films for children and adolescents. “What then do you accomplish?” may well be asked us, since we do not influence the character of pictures before release. We give our readers our unbiased opinion of the releases and hope that by careful selection they may add to their own motion picture enjoyment and give to their children the occasional pictures which will enrich their experience. FEATURE FILMS ♦ AFRAID TO TALK » » Eric Linden, Tully Marshall, Sidney Fox. Direction by Edward Kohn. Universal. A bell hop is accidentally present at a murder, and the crime is “pinned on him” because the guilty gangster has something on the crooked politicians by whom he is surrounded. Eric Linden gives a good impersonation, as usual, but the picture is altogether demoralizing entertainment. It dwells too much on the dramatics of gang warfare and on the sensationalism of the third degree. It exposes corruption and presents no single character able to cope with the situation. It tears down our respect and confidence in government but suggests no solution. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Very poor Impossible AS THE DEVIL COMMANDS » » Alan Dinehart, Neil Hamilton, Mae Clark, Charles Sellon. Direction by Roy William Neile. Columbia. This tells the story of a successful and cultured lawyer who becomes obsessed with such a mad love for a woman betrothed to another man, that he commits two murders and plans a third before he is frustrated. It is a far from pleasant picture but Alan Dinehart and Charles Sellon make the improbable story hold one’s interest. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Very unsuitable No