Motion Picture Reviews (1934)

Motion Picture Reviews Seven MAN OF TWO WORLDS » » Francis Lederer, Elissa Landi, Henry Stephenson, J. Farrell McDonald, Christian Rub. From the book by Ainsworth Morgan. Direction by J. Walter Ruben. R-K-O. (Seen at a theatre preview.) It seems to us too bad that the public must endure cycles of films. After one success producers deluge us with imitations. “S.O.S. Iceberg” and “Eskimo” were photographed on location, and the beauty and majesty of the background would have built up any story which was not too maudlin. But now R-K-0 offers “A Man of Two Worlds” using painted sets and the same theme as “Eskimo” — the degeneration of the native under white influence — and doing it with little dignity. A white cast use the Eskimo tongue which has to be translated for our enlightenment, and the film is wordy and slow. Action depends upon the behavior of a “savage” introduced into a sophisticated environment and the drama of his unnatural attraction to a white woman. Francis Lederer, playing the lead, appears to great disadvantage. After seeing Malo in “Eskimo” we realize that physical beauty and distinction are not sole perogatives of the white race. Though this review is written after seeing an unedited preview, we still feel that the picture has too great a handicap to recommend it as other than a very mediocre program film. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Very little to recom Better not mend it MAN’S CASTLE » » Spencer Tracy, Loretta Young, Glenda Farrell, Walter Connolly, Marjorie Rambeau. From play by Lawrence Hazard. Direction by Frank Borzage. Columbia. A sentimental and ethically confused story seems poignant and true because of the way in which it is handled. Regarded as a sort of fairy story it will probably appeal to many, but to the more literal or analytic it might appear that beautiful aspirations do not necessarily thrive best in shanty-town among the professional beggars and safecrackers and that motherhood in a box car is scarcely to be desired. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Not recommended No MY LIPS BETRAY » » Lilian Harvey, John Boles, El Brendel. Direction by John Blystone. Fox. A pleasant musical comedy romance in which an entertainer in a beer garden of a mythical kingdom becomes mistakenly known as the royal favorite. It is mildly entertaining but neither Miss Harvey nor Mr. Boles will win much renown through the picture. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 ^air If it interests 'w MR. SKITCH » » Will Rogers, Zasu Pitts, Florence Desmond, Harry Green, Rochelle Hudson, Charles Starrett, Eugene Pallette. From the story Green Dice by Ann Cameron. Direction by James Cruze. Fox. The picture, because of Will Rogers and Zasu Pitts, is refreshingly human and close to the heart, and leaves one with a buoyant feeling of goodfellowship toward the world at large. Those two comedians are so genuine and real that even a weak story may be forgiven. With fifty dollars and a broken down Ford as their only financial assets they start for California with the twins, a small son and a young lady daughter. The daughter’s puerile love affair detracts from a story which offered a perfect opportunity for homely humor. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Good yes •w THE PRIZEFIGHTER AND THE LADY » » Myrna Loy, Max Baer, Primo Camera, Jack Dempsey, Walter Huston, Otto Kruger. From the story by Frances Marion. Direction by W. S. Van Dyke. M-G-M. Fight fans, who comprise a large part of the masculine and an increasing percentage of the feminine population, will enjoy the pugilistic exploits of Max Baer and Primo Camera on the screen. The championship battle comes as the piece de resistance in the story of the rise of a boxer to headline fame with the ensuing conflict between his public and his domestic life. Max Baer has a pleasing, natural personality; Myrna Loy is excellent, and they are supported by a very able cast. It is exciting entertainment, above the average in interest unless prize fights bore you. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Good for boys No. Mature • w ROMAN SCANDALS » » Eddie Cantor, Edward Arnold, Alan Mowbray, Veree Teasdale, Ruth Etting, Gloria Stuart. Direction by Frank Tuttle and Ralph Cedar. Sam Goldwyn Production-United Artists. “Roman Scandals” is an excessively elaborate production in which a loafer of West