Motion Picture Reviews (1934)

Motion Picture Reviews Five we feel that it will not take away all interest in films, but it surely will arouse critical judgment and make the emotional reaction less insidious. Mr. Greene ends his editorial as follows: “The tragic fact behind it all is that the educators of the country could do big things folr the motion picture and American youth without the skilful cooperation of the mighty industry.” He does not offer a plan in place of this one. We are looking for a constructive solution of the problem of the social value of motion pictures, and destructive criticism is not helpful without some creative plan to take its place. While we differ with Mr. Greene in his estimate of the value of these student classes, we do not by any means consider them a panacea. We believe that they build toward a future of greater discrimination on the part of the public. The immediate problem is a realization of the importance of attendance at motion picture theatres. A ticket at the box office is a vote for the type of film we see. O FEATURE FILMS ALL MEN ARE ENEMIES * Hugh Williams, Helen Twelvetrees, Mona Barrie, Herbert Mundin. From the novel by Richard Aldington. Direction by George Fitzmaurice. Fox. Trying to break from a life which binds him, to a definite, conventional pattern, Tony Clarendon goes to Capri where he meets sweet Katha, a young Austrian girl. Their love is great enough to survive the animosity of the World War, the perfidy of another woman and years of separation: love of a haunting, idealistic quality which pervades the play. Foreign atmosphere is well sustained in the fine settings of Italy and Austria ; the acting is quietly effective. In following the novel, the play has possibly partaken too much of the leisurely motion of a book of many chapters, and the story seems too long in coming to a close, but it will linger in memory when many pictures are forgotten. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Good, if it interests them No •w AS THE EARTH TURNS » » Jean Muir, Donald Woods, Russel Hardie, Dorothy Peterson, William Janney, Sarah Padden. Adapted from the book by Gladys Hasty Carroll. Direction by Alfred Green. Warner Bros. It is with real reluctance that we criticize adversely this adaptation of a book whose quiet, natural dignity and beauty so recently captured popular fancy. Judged as a picture alone it is undoubtedly a wholesome enough, slow moving story of farm life in a backward rural district, in which the characters are real, human and generally lovable; and the action is interesting in its portrayal of poig nant but not dramatic problems. But if one has read the book, endorsement stops there. Jen’s love of the slow leisurely turn of the seasons, her identification with the earth itself and the beauty and naturalness of her relationship with Stan have been completely lost: the inate nobility and inarticulateness of the father, the love and respect with which his children regarded him, is not indicated ; and the near tragedy of the unhappy, ambitious young step-sister has been altered and twisted to provide an unpleasant dramatic touch which will offend those who loved the very lack of this in the book. The beautiful and telling significance of the novel has been lost in the pictured version, in which even the country-side seems an artificial background. If you are looking for simple, rather pleasant entertainment, above the average, go to “As the Earth Turns”; but do not expect a sincere translation of the book. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 If it interests No interest •v THE BLACK CAT » » Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Jacquelyn Wells, David Manners. From the short story by Edgar A. Poe. Universal. There is not much of importance in this creepy mystery story, but it maintains an atmosphere of stealth, uneasiness and impending disaster calculated to give the desired thrill to mystery addicts. It concerns one night spent in a mysterious house where three travelers seek refuge. Black cats, dungeons and wax images, the necessary props in this sort of production, are presented in this one which takes its name from the wellknown omen of evil. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No No