Motion Picture Reviews (1933)

Six Motion Picture Reviews SO THIS IS AFRICA » » Bert Wheeler, Robert Woolsey, Raquel Torres, Esther Muir. Direction by Edward F. Cline. Columbia. This picture is concerned with the antics of Wheeler and Woolsey among a tribe of Amazon women. The lines and gags all have to do with the subject of sex and while they are not badly offensive, due to the “off hand” delivery of the two comedians, they are not sufficiently clever to justify themselves. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Not recommended Not recommended SWEEPINGS » * Lionel Barrymore, Gregory Ratoff, Eric Linden, Gloria Stuart. Direction by John Cromwell. R.K.O. This is the story of a father whose life work has been the building of a thriving business for his children, and of his disappointment in their pathetically unfortunate reactions to his generous ambitions. Audiences will enjoy the sincerity of the presentation and the background of Chicago from the time of its historic fire to the present. Though the theme is not unusual it is universally interesting, and the film is distinguished by the genius of Lionel Barrymore portraying the father and Gregory Ratoff as the store manager. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Mature No TRICK FOR TRICK » » Ralph Morgan, Victor Jory, Tom Dugan, Sally Blane. From the play by Vivian Cosby, Shirley Warde, Harry Cribble. Direction by Hamilton MacFadden. Fox. A long drawn out hodge-podge of mysterious events and legerdemain performances. A magician helps to solve a murder mystery through a seance during which another murder is committed. The picture’s only claims to favorable comment are its trick photography and elaborate settings. Otherwise it is very tiresome. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Passable Too confusing and exciting •v TERROR ABOARD » » John Halliday, Charlie Ruggles, Neil Hamilton. Direction by Paul Sloane. Paramount. A most unreasonable theme of a man who fears that his past will be revealed and who consequently plots the death of each of an assorted company of guests and crew while on a cruise through the South Seas. Though we recognize the picture as a mystery melodrama and expect a certain amount of sensationalism, the multiplicity of the murders and the clumsy, heavy, dramatic treatment grade it as poor. Fortunately, recognized stupidity in story development is less harmful than realistic horror, but this condemns the picture on the score of intelligence as well as art. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Impossible UNDER THE TONTO RIM Stuart Erwin, Fred Kohler, Raymond Hatton. From a Zane Grey story of the same name. Direction by Henry Hathaway. Paramount. A western in which interest is centered upon the character of the slow, blundering but likable hero impersonated by Stuart Erwin. The action is simple and follows the usual formula for action pictures. Good type for children. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Good Good Children, 8 to 12 Absolutely not » WHITE SISTER » » Helen Hayes, Clark Gable, Lewis Stone, Louise Closser Hale, May Robson, Edward Arnold. Adapted from novel by F. Marion Crawford. Direction by Victor Fleming. M.G.M. The production is a moving portrayal of the well known story of a gay and lovely Italian girl who becomes a nun when she has official word that her lover has been killed in the war. The settings are very lovely and the scenes of religious ritual are pictured sincerely and with rare beauty. It is an unusual combination of stark realism and romanticism in which interest is held by the character development portrayed. Helen Hayes, as usual, captures her audience and Clark Gable is convincing. The musical accompaniment adds much to the emotional effect. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Interesting — girls especially ■v WHIRLWIND » » Tim McCoy, Pat O’Malley, Carol Mashi, Alice Dahl. Direction by D. Ross Lederman. Columbia. This is a good hearty western for simple appetites. It posseses the usual elements of Children, 8 to 12 Too sad and intense No interest