Motion Picture Reviews (1933)

Six Motion Picture Reviews developing into a one-sided love affair which becomes mutual only after one of the pair has been married to someone else. However, it contains enough additional material, all of which is skilfully handled, to compose several average plots. The atmosphere is beautifully authentic, and suspense is well maintained throughout. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Very confusing No ethically •w MIDNIGHT CLUB » » Clive Brook, George Raft, Helen Vinson, Alison Skipworth. From a story by E. Phillips Oppenheim. Direction by Alexander Hall and George Somnes. Paramount. As crook and detective in this diverting crime story, Clive Brook and George Raft attract equal interest. The detective poses as one of a band of gentlemanly jewel thieves in order to assist Scotland Yard in apprehending the criminals. Despite discrepancies in detail, the plot as a whole is consistent, and the light touch with which both dialogue and action are handled makes this a pleasing bit of entertainment. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Questionable in that No it develops sympathy for criminals MIDNIGHT MARY » » Loretta Young, Ricardo Cortez, Franchot Tone, Andy Devine, Una Merkel. Direction by William Wellman. From an original story by Anita Loos. M-G-M. A capable cast, clever direction and dramatic situations give vitality to an overworked theme. The plot reviews the past and present of a girl of the underworld who is trying to go straight in the face of the usual difficulties, for the sake of an upright young lawyer. Though the excellence of its technique is undeniable, the picture contains several unnecessary crudities and condones a warped code of ethics that is both untrue to life and dangerous to impressionable minds. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Absolutely not Absolutely not MOONLIGHT AND PRETZELS * » Roger Pryor, Leo Carrillo, Mary Brian. Direction by Monte Brice and Karl Freund. Universal. A light, entertaining musical comedy containing a wealth of catchy tunes, clever lyrics and some interesting dance routines with a thread of plot to hold them together. It runs its gay inconsequential course to an unfortunate “flag-waving” finale which has no place in the play and is obviously a touch to gain applause. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Amusing Harmless THE RINGER » » Patrick Curwan, Franklin Dyall, Gordon Harker, Carol Coodner. Direction by Walter Lorde. A Gainsborough production. Cooperative. This English made mystery photoplay is the transcription to the screen of a popular stage play, an absorbing story of the solving of a murder mystery, told with admirable suspense and unexpectedly satisfying photography and settings. Unlike many mystery thrillers which rely entirely upon the plot for interest, the actors seem to be real people with really human motives actuating their behavior. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Entertaining No SECRET OF THE BLUE ROOM » » Lionel Atwill, Paul Lukas, Gloria Stuart, Onslow Stevens. Direction by Kurt Neuman. Universal. Good detective yarn with a novel idea motivating the usual mechanics common to such thrillers. It concerns the fate of three suitors when they by turn spend a night in a haunted room. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Entertaining Too exciting v SING, SINNER, SING » » Leila Hyams, Donald Dilloway, Paul Lukas, Ruth Donelly. Direction by Howard Christie. Majestic Picture. One can say nothing in commendation of this morbid drama which recounts the tragic misadventures of a torch singer on a gambling ship. Apparently the producers, in collecting their material, have pounced with scavenger-like avidity upon the most horrid details of a recent sensational murder trial, and the result is most unfortunate. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Pernicious Impossible