Motion Picture Reviews (1933)

Motion Picture Reviews Seven a hen-pecked husband aboard a liner bound from New York to California. The film depends for its appeal on musical comedy devices: glamorous backgrounds, unusual rhythmic and photographic effects, gay ballets, including a skating number of real brilliance. While some of the humor is too broad, the comedy roles filled by Charlie Ruggles and Florence Roberts are highly amusing, and the picture is entertaining in a frivolous sophisticated vein. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Too sophisticated No ■w NO MARRIACE TIES » » Richard Dix, Elizabeth Allen, Doris Kenyon, Alan Dinehart. Direction by J. Walter Ruben. RKO. The so-called lesson of this play deals with impossibly wicked advertising men who foist worthless and sinister products upon an unsuspecting multitude of consumers, but the lesson lacks sincerity when expounded by a worthless character in a feeble story that fluctuates from comedy to tragedy, and devotes a disproportionate amount of footage to scenes of drunkeness. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Demoralizing No yr NUISANCE » » Reviewed in June, 1933, under the title “Never Give a Sucker a Break.” v PROFESSIONAL SWEETHEARTS » » Ginger Rogers, Norman Foster, Zasu Pitts, Frank McHugh. Direction by William Seiter. RKO. This is a delightful, unique farce, permeated with satirical humor. It is timely, in that it concerns the high pressure publicity methods used in radio advertising and creates human interest in the problems and experiences of a girl performer. The swift development of situations and the spontaneous response of the actors to their parts, keep action and dialogue at a fast tempo. Unfortunately the “box-office” title will keep away the very people who would enjoy it most. While it cannot be especially recommended for children, it is a good family picture. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Good Mature ■v RACING STRAIN » » Wallace Reid, Jr., Phyllis Barrington, Dickie Moore. Direction by Jerome Storm. Maxime Production. A story of adventure on the speedway and in the air with a romance of young love for secondary interest. The usual villains are in evidence and attempt to kidnap and drug one of the principals to prevent his participation in the race, but the emphasis is upon good sportsmanship and everything ends satisfactorily. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Entertaining Too exciting yr STORM AT DAYBREAK » » Kay Francis, Nils Asther, Walter Huston. Direction by Richard Boleslavsky. M-G-M. This interesting, romantic tale is unfolded against the picturesque setting of rural life in Serbia during the World War. The war is, however, a dull monotone in the distance, and while its effects are a necessary part of the plot, it neither obliterates the delightful backgrounds of an Hungarian barony nor usurps the interest in a lightly colorful romance. A woman falls in love with an army officer who is her husband’s friend. Their relationship remains honorable but the husband eventually discovers their love and sacrifices himself that they may be happy. The characters are finely drawn, and the direction capably maintains a smooth as well as rapid tempo. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Passable, but mature Unsuitable *w SAMARANG » » All native cast. United Artists. A silent picture with musical accompaniment. It is pictorially effective though not unusual, showing scenes of native life held together by a thread of story continuity. One scene wherein a python nearly squeezes the life out of a native is too well acted to be pleasant but the rest is mildly entertaining. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Interesting Passable yr THE STRANGER’S RETURN » » Lionel Barrymore, Miriam Hopkins, Franchot Tone, Stuart Erwin. Adapted from a novel by Phil Strong. Direction by King Vidor. M-G-M. (Seen in preview and subject to change.) Lionel Barrymore gives an amazingly virile and sympathetic portrait of an old Iowa farmer, surrounded by the descendants of his several wives, loving the land, ironically fighting his way for his own flesh and blood. The story of his granddaughter is incidental in interest, although she is the stranger who returns. The cast is excellent (Stuart Erwin has a role worthy of his talents), and the setting unusually interesting.