Motion Picture Reviews (1933)

Four Motion Picture Reviews FEATURE FILMS ACE OF ACES » » Richard Dix, Elizabeth Allen, Theodore Newton, Art Jarrett, Anderson Lawler, Ralph Bellamy. From the story by John Monk Saunders. Direction by J. Walter Rubin. R.K.O. The war mania transforms a sensitive sculptor with high ideals into a bloodthirsty killer of German air men. The story is subordinated to the delineation of character of the individual, and for that reason lacks the thrilling climaxes of some war pictures. Instead of the glory of combat it shows the ghastly and depressing phases, even deflating the heroics of aviation, but it is well acted and presented and is a strong Phillipic against war. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 1 2 Good point of view Too harrowing •w AS HUSBANDS CO » » Warner Baxter, Helen Vinson, J. P. Huntley, Jr., Warner Oland, Catharine Doucet. Play by Rachel Crothers, adapted by Sonya Levien. Direction by Hamilton McFadden. Fox. Lucile and Emmie are American women from Dubuque, Iowa, who become infatuated with Paris and the unconventional life they may enjoy there, and who awake later to full appreciation of home ties. It is a very diverting comedy with a serious undercurrent; a charming version of a delightful stage play, felicitously dialogued, directed and acted. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Not harmful, if it No interest interests. v BLOOD MONEY » * George Bancroft, Judith Anderson, Janet Beecher. Direction by Rowland Brown. United Artists. A psychopathic debutante afflicted with kleptomania and an inordinate desire for excitement hobnobs with a bank robber and a crooked bail bondsman. One gathers the impression that the entire social world of California’s Beverly Hills is made up of thugs and subjects for psychoanalysis and that whoever is responsible for the scenario should have been dissuaded from writing it. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Impossible No COLLEGE COACH » » Pat O’Brien, Ann Dvorak, Arthur Byron, Dick Powell, Lyle Talbot, Hugh Herbert. Direction by William Wellman. Warner Bros. This is an ironical exposure of commercialized football. The trustees of a college in poor financial condition import a renowned coach and three students with low brows and strong back, hereby hoping by gate receipts to amass sufficient income to build a stadium. How commercialism finally triumphs over sporting ethics is told in a swift moving, well acted and biting satire. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Not recommended No sr DAY OF RECKONING » » Richard Dix, Madge Evans, Conway Tearle, Una Merkel, Stuart Erwin. From novel by Morris Lavine. Direction by Charles Brabin. M-G-M. A husband goes to jail because he embezzles for a weak, extravagant and faithless wife who eventually meets punishment. This sordid tale which seems neither sincere nor humorous, is saved from complete banality by the two minor parts played by Una Merkel and Stuart Erwin who are refreshingly natural and amusing. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Impossible Impossible •w DESIGN FOR LIVINC » » Frederic March, Gary Cooper, Miriam Hopkins, Edward E. Horton. From the play by Noel Coward, adapted by Ben Hecht. Direction by Ernest Lubitsch. Paramount. Meeting two artists traveling abroad, a young woman falls in love with both of them and they set up a three-cornered establishment. The play seems to have little point unless a daring treatment of a risque theme for the entertainment of sophisticated audiences can be said to be worth while. Supposing that there is a demand for this sort of production it would be more acceptable if the actors did not take themselves so seriously. It could have been done in a lighter, crisper, more satirical way with the idea of showing up the absurdity and falseness of the whole situation, but it misses this attitude almost entirely and is really only a lot of smart talk about some very shady proceedings. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No No