Motion Picture Reviews (1933)

Six Motion Picture Reviews recognized as the Christ when he disappears in a glorified sunset. The picture is horrible in detail and insincere in effect. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No No have none. Consequently all of one’s sympathy goes to the charming “wrong ones” and very little to the less attractive “right ones.” Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Unsuited No interest THE FILM PARADE » » J. Stuart Blackton. First National-Warner Bros. (Seen at a theatre preview.) An entertaining picture of its type, instructive and picturesque, accompanied by an interesting and humorous explanatory talk by the Mr. Blackton. It is the history of the development of motion pictures, from the earliest discoveries to the present. Scenes from old silent films are used in illustration and are very entertaining. The final suggestion of the future possibilities of the motion picture is a bit disturbing but this does not detract from its interest. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Interesting No interest FOLLOW THE LEADER » » Ed Wynn, Cinger Rogers. Direction by Norman Taurog. Paramount. Revival of an old release. Having about as much continuity as a feverish dream, this boisterous comedy depicts the adventure of Crickets, whose absurdly ridiculous inventions and comic strip blunders furnish hilarity in the manner of Ed Wynn to Ed Wynn fans. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Passable Passable but not recommended THE GREAT JASPER » » Richard Dix, Florence Eldridge. Direction by J. Walter Ruben. RKO-Pathe. An interesting character study of a hearty, high living and sporty man of the early nineteen hundreds, and of his painfully good wife. Their lack of mutual understanding and sympathy makes them part. Their son follows the tenets of his mother, but a son by another woman shows a repetition of his father’s failings. Though the picture is quite long and the end not in keeping with the essence of the theme, the direction is human and vividly interprets the vicissitudes of opposing types of character, while the actors invest their roles with sympathy and intelligence. It is true to life but the mixture of values may be confusing to children. The wastrel father and son have all the charm while the good, conscientious mother and son FROM HELL TO HEAVEN » » Carole Lombard, Jack Oakie, Adrienne Ames, David Manners. Direction by Erie Kenton. Paramount-Publix. On the eve of a big horse race an hotel near the track is crowded with the people who are affected by the race. The account of this experience in their small lives is enlivened by well spaced humorous incidents and dialogue. The play is amusing but of no great significance. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Fair Doubtful ~w HUMANITY » » Alexander Kirkland, Boots Mallory, Ralph Morgan. From the story by Harry Fried, “The Road to Heaven.” Direction by John Francis Dillon. Fox. Pertinent to this day and consistently uplifting in its moral teaching, this picture will have interest for those who like emotional drama. The theme is one of parental pride and guidance in a son’s destiny. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Passable No THE INFERNAL MACHINE » » Chester Morris, Genevieve Tobin. From a novel by Sloboda. Direction by Marcal Varnel. (Seen in theatre preview.) Aiming at comedy and drama and missing both, this picture is an inferior imitation of “Luxury Liner.” It starts with an overdrawn, Paris night, where thugs, cab drivers, and beautiful bejeweled women are supposed to create a romantic atmosphere. On board ship the next day, the melodramatic events continue to be unconvincing. The whole is poorly acted. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No No •w KING OF THE JUNGLE » » Buster Crabbe, Frances Dee. Direction by Lucky Humberstone and Max Marcin. From a story by Charles P. Stoneham. Paramount. A delightfully romantic and amusing story about a “lion-man” and his animal friends. It succeeds where most movies fail in trans