Motion Picture Reviews (1934)

Six Motion Picture Reviews MEN IN WHITE » » Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, lean Hersholt, Elizabeth Allen, Otto Kruger. From the play by Sidney Kingsley. Direction by Richard Boleslavsky. MGM. Taken from this year’s Pulitzer Prize play, this is a picture which is much better than the average “movie.” It is the dramatic story of the conflict between a young doctor’s personal desires and his devotion to the profession to which he has dedicated his life. The setting is a large metropolitan hospital the atmosphere of which is realistically portrayed. The picture, like the play, is not intended to be light entertainment. It is sincere, thought-provoking, sometimes tragic; and the idealism of the fine old doctor is inspiring. From the point of view of some audiences, the emphasis upon details of hospital technique will detract from the interest of the drama and will seem an unnecessary elaboration of the stage play. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Too mature No interest vr MANY HAPPY RETURNS » » Grade Allen, George Burns, Guy Lombardo, Joan Marsh, Veloz and Yolanda. Based on the story by Lady Mary Cameron. Direction by Norman McLeod. Paramount. This collection of froth and Tom-foolery depends for its risibility content on the individual’s reaction to the super “Dumb Dora” part invariably enacted by Grade Allen. Children would probably enjoy her nonsense in this film as much as they do over the radio. The picture is embellished by a number of competent entertainers such as Guy Lombardo and his orchestra and some good dance teams who take their turns as they would on a vaudeville circuit. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Good Yes MURDER ON THE BLACKBOARD » » Edna May Oliver, James Gleason, Bruce Cabot. From a story by Stuart Palmer. Direction by George Archainbaud. RKO. In an attempt to furnish novelty this murder mystery has taken for its locale a school house and for its characters the principal, the teachers and the janitor. The bad taste it leaves is due not so much to the incidents as to the fact that most of us who have inate respect for teachers and schools object to seeing teachers portrayed as tawdry women of the underworld. It is a serious lapse of tact if not of decency to choose them as the subject of this type of picture. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Certainly not Pernicious MERRY WIVES OF RENO » » Margaret Lindsay, Glenda Farrell, Donald Woods, Hugh Herbert, Guy Kibbe, Ruth Donnelly. Story by Robert Lord. Direction by Bruce Humberstone. Warner Bros. There is nothing to recommend this film in story, technique, or entertainment value. In addition, the treatment of marriage and divorce are shockingly crude; humor is based on vulgarity and immorality. It is an insult to audience taste and intelligence. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Injurious No •w MURDER AT THE VANITIES » » Carl Brisson, Victor McLaglen, Jack Oakie, Kitty Carlisle. Based on the play by Earl Carroll and Rufus King. Direction by Mitchell Leisen. Paramount. This story of love and hate behind the scenes is cleverly interwoven with an extravaganza which is being shown simultaneously on the stage. The plot is full of action and suspense with glamorous scenes, settings and costumes. The musical score and lyrics are good and the photography and acting, excellent. The director has shown a sense of fineness and of fitness and a remarkable ability to portray intense drama and contrast it with exquisite fantasy. At any rate here is something new — murder with music. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Sophisticated No •sr THE PARTY’S OVER » » Stuart Erwin, Ann Sothern, Arline Judge, Chic Chandler, Patsy Kelly. From a play by Daniel Kussell. Direction by Walter Lang. Columbia. A hard working, successful young business man, who has renounced all his secret ambitions, finally tells a parasitic family to support themselves. The problem is nicely developed although an improbable feature makes the solution easier than it would have been in life. The characters are slightly overdrawn to accentuate the types they portray, and while the tempo is slow, interest is maintained. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Mature No ■w PRIVATE SCANDAL » » Mary Brian, Phillips Holmes, Lew Cody, Ned Sparks, Zasu Pitts. Direction by Harry Joe Brown. Paramount. Ned Sparks with his studious manner and constant humor, and Zasu Pitts of the pathetic voice distinguish this murder mystery story from the many others with similar plots.