Motion Picture Reviews (1934)

Eight Motion Picture Reviews virtue of the production is its ethical tone. The leading characters are people of fine perceptions and high ideals. It is the kind of picture which leaves one better satisfied with one’s fellow beings. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Very good Too mature PALOOKA » » Jimmy Durante, Stuart Erwin, Lupe Velez. Based on Ham Fisher’s comic strip. Direction by Benjamin Stoloff. United Artists. This is the type of comedy which will certainly be designated as a “wow” by many audiences, especially masculine ones. Like the cartoons which inspired it, it presents a little drama, some melodrama and much hilarious nonsense. The noisy dialogue is double edged, the comedy is never subtle, but there are irresistible shouts of boisterous laughter in this story of a country bumpkin who is led into prize fighting and learns sophistication through one of the most thoroughly vulgar gold diggers whom Mr. Hays has permitted us to meet on the screen. Jimmy Durante and Stuart Erwin divide the comedy honors and the cast including Marjorie Rambeau, Robert Armstrong and William Cagney give good support. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No No 'w QUEEN CHRISTINA » » Greta Garbo, John Gilbert, Ian Keith, Lewis Stone, C. Aubrey Smith. From original story of Salka Viertel and Margaret P. Levino. Direction by Rouben Mamoulian. M-C-M. “Queen Christina” is humanized history with interest focused on a romantic love so soul stirring in quality that a queen is willing to renounce her kingdom for it. While it does not coincide with the character of the actual Christina, Greta Garbo has given to her conception of the sovereign a power and beauty and dignity which makes this the outstanding work of her career. As Christina she is a great actress, and Mamoulian has supplied her with gorgeous trappings. It is an exceptionally beautiful picture with fine composition and a tonal quality which suggests the canvases of the old masters. The supporting cast is very good with the exception of John Gilbert who plays Don Antonio in too inconsequential a manner for a grand passion. Because the film has so much to recommend it, one hesitates to ban it for young people, and yet the big act which is the crux of the whole drama is done with the honeyed cleverness of the French sophisticates and requires a mature judgment and discount. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Mature No SING AND LIKE IT » » Zasu Pitts, Pert Kelton, Edward E. Horton. From the story "So You Won’t Sing, Eh?” by Aben Kandel. Direction by William Seiter. R-K-O. Annie Snodgrass singing “Who took your part, who’s in your heart? Your mother,” painfully and with much feeling, starts the tears rolling down the cheeks of a head gangster. Strong-arming theatrical producers and critics, the gangster proceeds to put little Annie on Broadway. This is an absurd burlesque of Broadway production methods and gangster activities. It is sometimes rather ponderous but Ed Horton and some funny lines furnish a modicum of laughter. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No No ' w SPITFIRE * » Katherine Hepburn, Robert Young, Ralph Bellamy. From the play “Trigger” by Lula Vollmer. Direction by John Cromwell. R-K-O. This is the story of a deep religious faith expressed by Trigger, a quick tempered, uncivilized mountain girl whose childish, selfless prayers effect cures among her sick neighbors. Her power fails her at a time when hate and bitterness confuse her. It is a thought-provoking theme to which persons are likely to react differently, but it never becomes a moral preachment. Miss Hepburn develops the character with artistry and sincerity, the cast is well chosen, and the poverty and ignorance of the mountain people is faithfully depicted. It is quite out of the ordinary and leaves one moved by the spiritual suggestion. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Good Beyond them ■W SONS OF THE DESERT * » Laurel and Hardy. Direction by Wm. A. Seiter. M-G-M. Two henpecked husbands deceive their wives in order to get to a convention. Accepting this as material for comedy, followers of Laurel and Hardy’s fun will not be disappointed in their frantic efforts to cover up their duplicity. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Not recommended No