Motion Picture Reviews (1934)

Motion Picture Reviews Seven checquer. As always Mr. Arliss is perfect in a play which depends for its climaxes upon the shrewdness and wit of its leading character. A charming romance between Nathan’s lovely daughter and a young British officer is woven into the plot. All the characters maintain a high degree of excellence, particularly the matriarch played with memorable distinction by Helen Westerly. The final sequences in color are glamorous and beautiful in composition. As the ambitious Jew, desirous of the freedom of his people, that they may “walk in dignity,” peace loving, yet relentless in fighting for his conception of justice, Mr. Arliss gives an ideal characterization which seems designed to awaken sympathetic understanding of a problem which again confronts the world. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Depends upon their un Beyond their apprederstanding of the ciation. problems involved. •v I’LL TELL THE WORLD » » Lee Tracy, Gloria Stuart, Lawrence Grant. Direction by Edward Sedgwick. Universal. A fantastic, swift moving picture with Lee Tracy as a cocksure United Press reporter. It carries him to a mythical kingdom in Europe, where he tracks down his story and becomes an important factor in the intrigues about the throne. The action suggests interesting sidelights on press assignments and the adventure and romance behind the making of the daily newspaper. It is all rather good fun. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Yes. Mature. •w JIMMY THE CENT » » James Cagney, Alan Dinehart, Bette Davis, Alice White. Direction by Michael Curtiz. Warner Bros. Our hero is a “semi-respectable racketeer,” if there is such an hypostasis. He is a shyster lawyer who hunts down those who die alone, friendless, and apparently heirless, and who then provides an heir. In competition with another legal firm as disreputable as his own, his incredible operations cannot stand too critical analysis on the ground of realism. It is just another rough, loud, and slangy comedy. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Nothing to recommend it. No. ■w LAND OF THE VIKINGS » » Feature length. John W. Boyle Producers. Narration by Wilfred Lucas. A travelogue which holds unusual interest because of the panoramic impression it gives not only of the country, but also of the life and philosophy of the Swedish people. The action carries one from New York to Sweden and back, and is packed with details which in spite of their interest make the picture somewhat too long. The narrator cannot avoid the usual lapses in taste in trying to amuse, but when serious, keeps the dialogue appropriate to the subject matter and the exquisite color photography. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Entertaining but long Too long to hold attention LAUGHING BOY * » Ramon Novarro, Lupe Velez. From the novel by Oliver La Farge. Adapted by John Colton and John Lee Mahin. Direction by W. S. Van Dyke. MGM. In an attempt to interpret the life of a people deeply alien to our own in terms of universal values, the screen adaptation of this well-known book over-emphasizes and sentimentalizes the love story. This will disappoint those who read the book, for they will miss the delicate hand of Mr. La Farge and detect the heavy one of Hollywood. However, it is interesting as a picture because of its unusual theme, its rugged and beautiful scenic background of butte, mesa and canon in the Painted Desert, and its representation of some of the customs and habits of the Navajos. The tragedy of the play is social rather than individual for it involves the maladjustment of a super-imposed culture on a self-sufficient one, telling the story of an Indian girl who is neither adapted to, nor wanted by either White or Indian people. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Unsuited. No. •w MANHATTAN MELODRAMA * » Clark Gable, William Powell, Myrna Loy, Leo Carillo. Direction by W. S. Van Dyke. MGM. Seen in preview. This film presents an appalling distortion of social and ethical values. Two boys are rescued from a burning steamer on the East River by a priest and given equal opportunities in life. By tremendous effort James Wade becomes a noted trial lawyer, district attorney and finally governor of New York state, while Blackie becomes a notorious gambler and killer. Blackie, who has only one fine quality, loyalty, is made the hero throughout, and Wade’s adherence to the public good appears hollow and mean by contrast. In this return to an underworld role, Clark Gable has shed the sinister mannerisms of his earlier portrayals and is charming as only Clark Gable knows how to be charming; he is probably the most attractive crimi