Motion Picture Reviews (1934)

Motion Picture Revibws Five COME ON MARINES * » Richard Arlen, Ida Lupino, Roscoe Karns, Crace Bradley. Story by Philip Wylie. Adapted by Byron Morgan and Joel Sayre. Direction by Henry Hathaway. Paramount. The United States Marines come in for so much hard treatment in the movies that our national conception of them is beginning to be colored thereby. We see them as physically brave, vulgar, coarse, and in their lighter moments entirely preoccupied with the conquest of women of any hue or caste. In the present story “Lucky Davis,” as played by Richard Arlen, is demoted because of a conspicuous affair with a cheap cafe dancer. Sent to the Philippines to recover his chevrons he is detailed to rescue some shipwrecked boarding school girls who resemble a Follies chorus at rehearsal. The absurdities from this point are unrestrained to the happy-everafter ending. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 By no means No THE CONSTANT NYMPH » » Brian Aherne, Victoria Hopper, Peggy Blythe. From the novel by Margaret Kennedy. Direction by Basil Dean. British-Caumont. It is not often that we are thoroughly satisfied to see one of our favorite books translated to the screen, but the charm of this delightful story is completely preserved in its new form. It is an exquisite film possessing a rare combination of intellectual, emotional and artistic appeal. Sanger, the musical genius and his three daughters live again on the screen, the atmosphere of their unusual and erratic menage is faithfully reproduced and the tragic story of Tessa and her beloved Lewis beautifully and poignantly enacted. Enchanting scenes of the Tyrol and symphonic music by the London Orchestra still further enrich this interesting production. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Doubtful — mature No THE CRIME DOCTOR » » Otto Kruger, Karen Morley, Nils Asther. From the story “The Big Bow Mystery” by Israel Zangwill. Direction by John Robertson. R-K-O. This is an absorbing mystery story full of action and with an unusual ending. It is recommended as an entertaining novelty for adult detective story fans. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Not recommended No DARK HAZARD » » Edward C. Robinson, Genevieve Tobin, Gordon Westcott, Glenda Farrel. Direction by Alfred Green. First National. Gambling fever and its consequences might be pictured in an interesting way, but in this case it is the basis of a mediocre, rather flashy story about unpleasant people. It is of no great interest to any audience. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No No CEORCE WHITE SCANDALS » » Rudy Vallee, Jimmy Durante, Alice Faye, Gregory Ratoff, Cliff Edwards, Richard Carle and others. Direction by George White. Fox. In this musical comedy, a story of backstage intrigue is skilfully woven into the stage numbers to hold the show together. The costumes are scanty but gorgeous, the songs are tuneful, the entertainers really talented in their respective fields, but the black and white medium of the films seems to lack the charm necessary to give repeated dance routines and choruses the same appeal they have behind the footlights. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Very sophisticated No COUNTESS OF MONTE CRISTO * » Fay Wray, Paul Lukas, Patsy Kelly. Direction by Karl Freund. Universal. During the taking of a picture, a movie extra costumed as a countess impulsively speeds away from the scene in a fine car and spends an eventful week-end at a resort hotel. This is a clever farce, fantastic, highly improbable, lightly entertaining. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Amusing No interest CHOST TRAIN * » Cecily Courtneidge, Jack Hulbert. Direction by Waller Forder. Gainsborough Production. A group of travelers is marooned overnight in a little English wayside junction in a hard storm. A superstition which terrifies them combined with the inclement weather provides a dramatic and unexpected denouement. It is not technically very good but is a fair mystery story. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Not worth much Too exciting