Motion Picture Reviews (1933)

Motion Picture Reviews Five make the motion picture the finest educational medium in the world for youth today. It is the danger of falsity and deliberate propaganda which we deprecate. “Gabriel Over the White House” (M-G-M) is the dramatization of a novel by an anonymous writer, since said to be a British officer, who uncannily prophesied certain events in political history which were somewhat paralleled in recent months. Perhaps therefore it should not with justice be called deliberate propaganda, but it is an amazing example of emotional stimulus. It is startling to watch audience reactions to certain political bombshells, especially the war motive, as they are roughly handled in the film, and it is a curious commentary on our national attitude that international questions can be touched upon with so little tact and yet receive no criticism or apparent comment from our American public. “Today We Live” (M-G-M), also a war story, is one in which — to the adult — character portrayal is supreme, war is the background and motivation. We feel that possibly a young boy or girl would appreciate the loyalty, bravery, and fineness of the British character portrayed. This is inspirational and fine. But also certain sequences undoubtedly glorify the thrills that come to army aviators and torpedo boat officers and sublimate the horrors of war. It is not a flag-waving problem, but it does create for the spectator the conviction that death for one’s country is an heroic ideal. It is our opinion that it pictures anew the classical interpretation of war as a necessary evil, a thing to be endured, but with undaunted heroism which idealizes the participants. “Soviets on Parade,” a foreign (Soviet) release, is a very interesting example of deliberate propaganda, and it touches on the war theme in its militaristic review which demonstrates Russian belief in their ability to defend their borders against any invasion. Travelogues are today the best medium for international understanding and sympathy but the subtle influence of ridicule cannot be overlooked in children’s reactions. The lecturer who, in presenting a costume film, cries “Ha ha! Look at the funny hat she’s wearing” amuses his youthful audience, but does not increase their tolerance for styles to which they do not subscribe. No announcer ever misses the opportunity to laugh at the French General who kisses the soldier on whose breast he pins the medal of honor. Do these suggestions “build for friendliness” or “for racial antipathies”? These problems interest us. We hope that we may eventually draw effective conclusions from this study. FEATURE FILMS ♦ THE BARBARIAN » » Ramon Novarro, Myrna Loy, Reginald Denny. Direction by Sam Wood. M-G-M. Apparently “the play’s the thing” for even a good cast cannot redeem this arrant trash. Those to whom “The Sheik” is a romantic memory will hope to find a successor in this desert setting, but they will be disappointed for the film is slow and tortuous, improbable and a little ridiculous. A story of this type depends upon a glamorous hero who catches the admiration of the audience, but Novarro as a thieving, lying sneak, a trickster, and a “Peeping Tom” who lives upon the gifts of amorous women, deserves and wins no sympathy. Miss Loy has little in her part. We idly wonder what will be her lot when his fatal magnetism wanes, his reedy baritone becomes tiresome and his brutality fascinates no longer. A sequel might be really interesting. The prestige of American pictures abroad will suffer by this picture. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 By no means No A BEDTIME STORY » » Maurice Chevalier, Edward E. Horton, Helen Twelvetrees, Baby LeRoy. Direction by Norman Taurog. From a novel by Roy Horniman. Paramount. Original, sparkling, undoubtedly sophisticated after the manner of a lively French farce, the picture will appeal to many ages and types of persons. Its risque touches will be forgotten in the wholesomeness of the theme and the sweetness of the adorable baby. It presents the amusing complications arising when a gay French bachelor finds himself in charge of an abandoned baby who twines himself around his heartstrings. Horton and Chevalier are excellent foils for each other. The tunes are alluring and the baby perfectly delightful. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Entertaining Passable