Motion Picture Reviews (1933)

Four Motion Picture Reviews hard to make entertainment of this mediocre comedy, but in spite of their efforts, it is a very ordinary and rather tiresome production. It concerns the schemes of Mrs. Kelley to collect alimony. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Poor Poor THE ELEVENTH COMMANDMENT » » Marion Marsh, Theodore Von Eltz, Marie Provost. Direction by George Melford. Allied Pictures Corp. Announced as an adaption from the story, “The Pillory,” this picture is quite obviously based upon the avalanche of claims advanced against the estate of the late Miss Wendell of New York. A thoroughly competent cast make these varied and interesting characters seem real individuals. It is exceedingly good entertainment for mature audiences. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Mature No •w ELMER THE GREAT » » Joe E. Brown, Frank McHugh, Sterling Halloway. Direction by Mervyn LeRoy. First National. A small town boy becomes a big league player. His stupidity makes him the dupe of gamblers, but he is able to shake off their influence in time to end the season successfully. In this highly diverting comedy, children will laugh at the facial expressions and eating capacities of Mr. Brown. Adults will laugh too while probing the intricacies of the great American game and the last minute thrills made possible on the screen that were never possible on the stage. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Excellent Excellent FORTY-SECOND STREET » » Bebe Daniels, Warner Baxter, Ruby Keeler, Guy Kibbee. Direction by Lloyd Bacon. Warner Bros. This is the most vivacious and entertaining musical comedy the screen has shown. It has the advantage of unusually good lyrics, catchy tunes, spirited dancing and a capable cast headed by delightfully fresh and charming Ruby Keeler. The lines are amusingly sophisticated without being vulgar, and the varied scenes are held together by Warner Baxter’s skillful characterization of the ruthless, temperamental director. Here is a surprise for the pessimists who said that musical comedy could not be done satisfactorily in pictures. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Entertaining Mature GABRIEL OVER THE WHITE HOUSE » » ; \ Walter Huston, Karen Morley, Franchot Tone. Direction by Gregory La Cava. Cosmopolitan Production. M-C-M. “Gabriel Over the White House” has all the requisites of a box office success. It excites audiences to spontaneous applause and sends them home thinking they have seen a very significant picture. But in retrospect it fades to rather sentimental and specious ballyhoo, an appeal to emotions rather than to intelligence. The underlying idea is fantastic and is based upon the supernatural. The President of the United States changes character entirely when he is seriously hurt in an automobile accident, and thereafter his actions are controlled by a spirit not his own which hovers over the White House and is made apparent by shadows, the musical suggestion of Gabriel’s horn and an unexplained breeze lifting the curtains. Not daring to be entirely sincere propaganda and possibly not intended to be taken seriously, it will nevertheless be accepted by unthinking audiences as a cure for political ills. More critical audiences will resent its flamboyant handling of intricate diplomatic and state problems and its lack of logic. It is beautifully produced, adequately acted, and directed with intelligence. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Interesting No interest GRAND SLAM » » Paul Lucas, Loretta Young, Frank McHugh, Glenda Farrell. From novel by B. R. Herts. Direction by Wm. Dieterle. Warner Bros. This comedy ridiculing bridge as a vocation and the strained family relations which are considered the inevitable result of too serious indulgence in the game, is a light and amusing hour’s diversion. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Mature No interest ■ w THE CAMBLINC SIX » » Ruth Hall, Grant Withers. Direction by Fred Newmyer. Freulen Film Associates, Inc. An incredibly stupid story of the brave heroine, who with amazing thoroughness carries on her dead father’s racing stables. Gambling away the hours and her fortune she finally marries the “Right Man.” Harmless waste of time for all ages. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Not recommended No interest