Motion Picture Reviews (1933)

Motion Picture Reviews Seven LITTLE CIANT » * Edward C. Robinson, Mary Astor. Direction by Roy Del Ruth. First National-Warners. A Chicago gangster, realizing at the last election that his racket is about over, pays off his mistress, leaves his former pals, and goes west to Santa Barbara where he hopes by means of his fortune to become “cultured” and join “society.” When he is taken in by a smarter crook than he, he reverts to the methods of his gang. It is absurd, amusing burlesque of course, but unfortunately the farcical touch was lost in the last reels and too much sympathy was thrown to the gangster to make the picture one to be recommended for immature audiences. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No on 'W LOOKING FORWARD » * Lionel Barrymore, Lewis Stone, Benita Hume, Doris Lloyd, Phillips Holmes. Direc tion by Clarence Brown. M-G-M. From its title, throughout the story to the end, this film is most timely. The old formula of courage and determined optimism carrying on to victory is used effectively to tell of the near failure of an old established English department store and of the accompanying family problems of the personnel, from the owner to the clerk. Lewis Stone as the owner and Barrymore as the faithful clerk are excellent, and are admirably supported by the entire cast under skillful direction. It is agreeable, clean entertainment. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Yes Little interest •w LUCKY DOC » * Chic Sale, Tom O’Brien, Harry Holman. Direction by Zion Myers. Universal. In this story of a man and his faithful dog, the laurels go to the little bull dog and the other canine performers who manifest curiously human emotions during the vicissitudes of life. Chic Sale is good, although not so convincing as he is in distinctly character roles. It would be a good family picture if it were not for the undercurrent of sadness and for a heart-rending scene when the dog narrowly escapes vivisection at the hands of a scientist. One regrets that a picture containing such delightful camera studies and such an understanding of the nature of dogs could not have been done in a happier mood. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Yes Very sad MADE ON BROADWAY » » Robert Montgomery, Sally Eilers, Madge Evans, Eugene Pallette, Henry Cordon. Direction by Harry Beaumont. M-G-M. A light satirical comedy in which, against a very modern, sophisticated background of speakeasies and friendly divorce, we see the egotistical, unethical smart aleck husband duped by a girl more clever in outwitting the law than he. This is highly gratifying to the audience whose sympathies are not with him. Mr. Montgomery seems miscast and overacts, but the women are exceptionally good. The settings are luxurious, the general tone unmoral. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No No •w NICHT OF TERROR » » Sally Blane, Wallace Ford, Bela Lugosi, Tully Marshall, Bryant Washburn. Direction by Ben Stoloff. Columbia. In the desire to create a super-thriller this film collects all the horrors ever used in mystery stories into one plot. The result is a little ridiculous. It is not a satire, and its failure to entertain (or even terrify) must be laid to lack of creative imagination on the part of the director and writers, aided by stilted acting and poor photography. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No No •w OUT ALL NICHT » » Slim Summerville, Zasu Pitts, Laura Hope Crews. Direction by Sam Taylor. Universal. Having convinced movie fans that romance is synonymous with beauty and good looks, producers are now telling us that romance is no respecter of persons but can flower as well among the least personable. Hence “Min” and “Bill” as presented by Marie Dresslar and Wallace Beery. Hence the new featured pair, Slim Summerville and Zasu Pitts. In their new comedy the two engage in a series of typically moviesque antics. Slim is an uncouth, overgrown son trying to escape from the apron strings of his mother — a comedy model of the mother in “The Silver Cord.” When he finally does get married, follow a series of burlesque mishaps which provide uneven entertainment— sometimes hilarious — and sometimes pretty dull. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Nothing to recommend Not recommended