Motion Picture Reviews (1934)

Motion Picture Reviews Seven years of neglect, gives a whimsical, amusing portrayal of a middle-aged dilettante and adventurer whose paternal instincts are at last aroused. The story, however, is inconsistent and unconvincing and the cast cannot save it from mediocrity. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Ethically poor No — and uninteresting LOVE, HONOR AND OH BABY » * Zasu Pitts, Slim Summerville. Universal. Vulgar and worthless slapstick comedy of an attempt to frame a breach of promise suit. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Impossible No MADAME SPY » » Fay Wray, Nils Asther, Edward Arnold, John Miljan. Direction by Karl Freund. Universal. A beautiful Russian spy dutifully marries an Austrian officer to obtain messages of war and then complicates matters by falling in love with him. The film offers the usual glamor of the secret service in wartime and evokes pleasant suspense, although secrets are unearthed with too much ease to command vital attention. It is interesting to note that we have become so objective in our attitude towards the war that a Teutonic hero may be presented without offense. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Harmless No THE MEANEST GAL IN TOWN » » Zasu Pitts, El Brendel, Pert Kelton, James Gleason, Skeets Gallagher. Direction by Russell Mack. R-K-O. A love affair of ten years’ standing between Chris, the small town barber, and Tillic, the owner of the Bon Ton Store, is complicated by the arrival of a smart-Aleck from the city and a stranded chorus girl. The story is tenuous, some of the dialogue is meager, and the production not half so funny as one anticipates from the cast. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No No ■v MISS FANE’S BABY IS STOLEN » » Dorothea Wieck, Alice Brady, Baby LeRoy, Alan Hale, Jack LaRue, Dorothy Burgess. Story by Rupert Hughes. Direction by Alexander Hall. Paramount. In defense of this portrayal of kidnapping let us state that it is not sensational but is handled with restraint, that it emphasizes the cooperation of all forces of the law in running down the offenders, and that in punishment the limit of penalty is recommended. On the other hand it suggests a close parallel to the Lindberg case which was probably one of the most emotional crises the American public has ever experienced. Even today the subject is not one which sensitive persons select for entertainment and consequently reactions to the picture will vary according to prejudice. Miss Wieck’s role of passionate mother seemed overacted to us, or at least unsympathetic, in comparison with the more human and understanding one played by Alice Brady. Adolescents 12 to 16 Not recommended MOULIN ROUGE Constance Bennett, Franchot Tone, Tullio Carminati, the Boswell Sisters, Russ Colombo. Direction by Sidney Lansfield. Twentieth Century Productions-United Artists. The title of this picture should suggest to adults the frothy nature of its theme. It is a back-stage comedy which includes a number of songs and ballet sequences. Because of the introduction of these, the last quarter of the play drags consistently and does not maintain the lilt and dramatic action which made the early scenes so interesting and amusing. The plot, wherein a wife tests her own charm and the constancy of her husband while under a disguise, is suggestive of “The Guardsman’’ and appeals to a sophisticated sense of humor. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Sophisticated Mature, unsuited Children, 8 to 12 No THE POOR RICH » » Edward Everett Horton, Edna May Oliver, Andy Devine, Leila Hyams. Direction by Edward Sedgwick. Universal. When two penniless cousins, surrounded by a halo of elegance and distinction, return from a sojourn abroad to their delapidated ancestral home, they find themselves in a sad predicament. Their blundering attempts to manage the house, and the numerous ensuing complications make a gay and entertaining comedy. The combination of Mr. Horton and Miss Oliver as foils for each other’s talents is particularly apt. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Excellent Yes