Motion Picture Reviews (1933)

Six Motion Picture Reviews law-abiding people dally about with decent plans and a few pleasant vices. In the end the gentleman crook reforms because of love for a girl, but the impression seems to be left that the desire for dangerous living will make this reformation only temporary. As a play it is not completely satisfying because of the slow tempo which is apparent in both dialogue and action. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No Unsuited v DARING DAUGHTERS » » Marian Marsh, Kenneth Thomson, Joan Marsh. Direction by Christy Cabanne. Tower Productions. Modernized melodrama in a New York setting is presented by Marian and Joan Marsh who play sister roles. One, who is employed at a cigar counter, attempts to mother her less experienced sister. Other characters are hotel playboys, a few tragic boarding house inmates and the inevitable home town boy. There is some confusion in the climaxes, but true to melodramatic form, the end is happy. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Not recommended No interest THE DEATH KISS » » Bela Lugosi, David Manners, Adrienne Ames. From novel by Madelin St. Denis. Direction by Ned Marin. World Wide Pictures, Inc. In this expertly constructed mystery play, the scene of the murder is a studio set during the filming of a gangster picture. Each character is a logical suspect until the unexpected solution. It is a true mystery play in that the emphasis is entirely upon the solution of the crime and not upon the sordid transactions of unsavory characters as is too often the case. It is calculated to make an amateur sleuth of everyone in the audience while the performance lasts. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Too sophisticated Too mature DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND » » Produced by George Vanderbilt. Five reels. Travel through the Bahamas. Distributed by Principal Distributing Corporation. The central theme is the catching of big fish — the whale, the sword fish, the maneating shark and the sail fish, with incidental side lights of island and savage life. Characterized by beautiful photography, and a personal theme developed by the unceasing monologue which runs through five reels, this travelogue is no better nor worse than many of its predecessors. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Yes |f interested v EMPLOYEES’ ENTRANCE » » Warren William, Loretta Young, Alice White. Direction by Roy Del Ruth. First National. Warren William is well cast as the ruthless head of a department store who places success above everything else, and demands results and utter lack of sentiment on the part of his employees. Technically the production is interesting, but the story denies the public faith that large institutions are built on integrity and fairness to those employed by them. It does not present a wholesome atmosphere. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No No THE FACE IN THE SKY » » Spencer Tracy, Marion Nixon, Stuart Erwin. Direction by Harry Lachman. Fox. A farm girl falls in love with a “wise cracking” sign painter from the city. Though the plot is not unusual, vivid treatment, unique situations and sustained suspense make the picture so genuinely imaginative that it seems almost a fairy tale. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Excellent Very good ■sr HELLO EVERYBODY » » Kate Smith, Randolph Scott, Sally Blane. Direction by William A. Seiter. Paramount Publix. This is a warm hearted (and sentimental) vehicle for a good natured singer with a charming voice. It tells the simple story of a farm girl who makes good on the radio and is able to save the water supply of the peaceful home valley. The picture gener ously offers opportunity for Kate Smith to sing many songs and thus fulfills its mission. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Wholesome Wholesome ■v HARD TO HANDLE » » James Cagney, Mary Brian, Ruth Donnelly. Direction by Mervyn LeRoy. Warner Bros. James Cagney in his latest comedy is an unprincipled and irresponsible promoter with a flair for turning errors into triumphs. The lines are fast, the situation absurdly funny,