Motion Picture Reviews (1934)

Eight Motion Picture Reviews STINCAREE » » Richard Dix, Irene Dunne, Mary Boland, Conway Tearle, Andy Devine. Original story by E. W. Hornung. Direction by William Wellman. RKO. This is a stirring tale of adventure in Australia in the ’70s; of a “gentleman” bandit who befriends a girl and gives her the chance to become a world-famous singer. The picture has a gay charm and romantic unreality because of the settings and characters. The story is utterly improbable and does not seem to relate to present day ethics. It is a glorified fairy tale which entertains and assures particular interest because of the charm of Miss Dunne. Adolescents, 1 2 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Probably very entertaining If it interests v THE THIN MAN » » William Powell, Myrna Loy. From the novel by Dashiell Hammett. Direction by W. S. Van Dyke. M-C-M. (Seen at a theatre preview.) Dashiell Hammett’s novels are among the best in the line of detective stories, never stereotyped, always mystifying and intriguing in interest. One thing the reader is assured, he is relieved of the necessity of knowing the characters or hearing the astonishingly direct dialogue. The film adaptation fortunately softens the latter for censorship requirements, and the plot is just as fast moving and as entertaining as the novel. Mr. Powell and Miss Loy are excellently cast even though they are continuously waving glasses of liquor to stimulate the action. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Rather too sophisticated No •w THIRTY DAY PRINCESS » » Sylvia Sidney, Cary Grant, Henry Stephenson. From a novel by Clarence Budington Kelland. Direction by Marion Gering. Paramount. Anyone in search of light, pleasing entertainment will welcome this charmingly romantic tale of a mythical kingdom and an obscure actress who doubles for the princess with highly satisfactory results. Sylvia Sidney is especially winning, and though the plot is thin and perhaps timeworn, the production provides a much needed type of diversion. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Entertaining Little interest TOMORROW’S CHILDREN » » Byron Foy Production. Sensational advertising will prove a boomerang for “Tomorrow’s Children,” because it does not fit the picture which is conservative in treatment, and on the whole rather interesting. It concerns a family in which each member is a defective of some type. It is not a treatise in favor of sterilization, for its misuse is the crux of the drama, and this will find ready sympathy from uninformed spectators. It is not a socially significant film, for the subject is not scientifically handled. It is evidently just another effort to find new story material. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No No -v TWENTIETH CENTURY » » John Barrymore, Carol Lombard, Walter Connolly, Roscoe Karns. From the stage play by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur. Direction by Howard Hawks. Columbia. “Twentieth Century,” a perfectly mad satire, is a thoroughly entertaining version of the stage play. The cast is splendid. John Barrymore has a rich role as the egomaniac producer who turns a little shop girl into a star. Carol Lombard has never given a better performance. It is sparkling, hilarious, hysterical and exhausting, probably because there is no let down in the tempo since both Mr. Barrymore and Miss Lombard have to keep to the same high pitch throughout. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Very sophisticated No •w UPPERWORLD » » Warren William, Mary Astor, Ginger Rogers, Andy Devine, Dickey Moore. Direction by Roy Del Ruth. Warner Bros. Neither original nor subtle, this is a problem play dealing with the rich man who is neglected by a society minded wife and therefore becomes involved, through association with a chorus girl, in an underworld murder mystery. It is competently acted and carries a certain amount of conviction. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No No •w WILD COLD » » John Boles, Claire Trevor, Harry Green, Monroe Owsley. Direction by George Marshall. Fox. “Wild Gold” is a melodrama of western life which harks back to the impossible stories and lumbering technique of the early days of the films. The atmosphere is unwholesome, inebriation is the chief source of humor, and in spite of continuous action, the general effect is boring. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Very poor No