Motion Picture Reviews (1933)

Four Motion Picture Reviews A BEGGAR’S HOLIDAY » » May Robeson, Warren William, Guy Kibbe, June Parker. Direction by Frank Capra. Columbia. Seen at theater preview and subject to change. May Robeson is at her best in this delightfully entertaining farce, the story of Apple Annie’s predicament when her daughter, whom she has brought up as a “lady” in a Spanish convent, is about to marry the son of a count. Annie, who is in reality only an apple vendor, tries to masquerade as a society dowager for the benefit of the young man’s relatives. As usual, one deception leads to another, and the climax is an hilarious and fantastic scene at the gorgeous wedding reception. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Very entertaining Too mature to be interesting THE BIG BRAIN » » George Stone, Phillips Holmes, Fay Wray. Direction by George Archainbaud. RKO. This is a lively though basically unwholesome play. It is raised to occasional unexpected heights by the ability of Mr. Stone. Other characterizations are indecisive, and the direction suffers because of the unfortunate script. The theme concerns the rise and fall of a quick-witted young man who begins as a barber’s assistant and forces his way up to “big business.” When his pyramided investments finally crash and his swindling operations are exposed, he is imprisoned. Not only does it cast reflections on American business methods but also implies that money is all-powerful. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Not recommended No DANCEROUS CROSSROADS » » Chic Sale, Frank Albertson, Preston S. Foster, Diane Sinclair. Direction by Lambert Hillyer. Columbia. Chic Sale’s dry, homespun humor pervades a thrilling picture of railroad detective work. As the old-time engineer he assists the young hero to track down and capture a band of freight thieves, incidentally fostering a love affair between the young man and his attractive niece. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Good Too exciting DISGRACED » » Helen Twelvetrees, Bruce Cabot, Adrienne Ames. Direction by Erie C. Kenton. Paramount. A story of seduction under the promise of marriage must be unique in presentation to be interesting because it is such an old, old story. In this film, perfected mechanics, interesting settings, and beautiful clothes hold the eye but are poor fare for the mind. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No No EX-LADY » » Bette Davis, Gene Raymond, Frank McHugh, Munroe Owsley. Direction by Robert Florey. Warner Bros. Whether to be married and stifled, unmarried, or remarried, is the heroine’s dilemma in this rather superficial account of ultra modern morals among the younger set. After a number of emotional encounters whereby the lady is supposedly learning the true values of real love, the picture concludes with the remarriage of the principals, and the audience is left with the impression that wedlock may still have its merits. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Impossible No ■w FLYINC DEVILS » » Bruce Cabot, Eric Linden, Arline Judge, Ralph Bellamy. Direction by Russell Birdwell. RKO The heroism which we ordinarily associate with aviation is minimized in this story which emphasizes the seamy side of the lives of stunt flyers in an aerial circus. Constant drinking and brawls occupy their time, and complications arise when three men fall in love with one woman. It is a very noisy picture with some good flying stunts and parachute descents as the only redeeming features. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Poor No v GAMBLING SHIP » » Cary Grant, Benita Hume, Roscoe Karns, Glenda Farrell. Direction by Louis Casnier and Max Marcin. Paramount. A gangster and an adventuress masquerade as normal young people on the California Limited and fall in love, only to uncover their real identities when they meet as participants in the management of a gambling ship off Long Beach. The law is utterly flouted