Motion Picture Reviews (1934)

Six Motion Picture Reviews friend is a little hoy, child of one of the acrobats. This child-and-man friendship is delightful. His final triumph as an acrobat, with the winning of his love, is done with unusual zest, and rounds out a picture which has special appeal for family audiences or children’s matinees. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Cood Good CARAVAN » » Charles Boyer, Loretta Young, lean Parker, Phillips Holmes, Louise Fazenda, Eugene Pallette, C. Aubrey Smith, Charles Grapewin, etc. Adapted by Samson Raphaelson from “Gypsy Melody,” by Melchior Lengyel. Music, Werner Richard Hermann; lyrics, Gus Kahn. Eric Charell, director. Fox. “Caravan,” in the light opera manner, is sketched on the background of the grape harvest of an Hungarian village in the wine region. A young countess, finding she must marry to acquire her father’s estate, marries the leader of a Gypsy band, contracted to play for the festival, instead of abiding by her uncle’s arrangements for a wedding with his son. Thereupon her cousin arrives and she falls in love with him. The story is neatly arranged by an unconsummated marriage and the Gypsy’s return to his former sweetheart. Good music and good acting, but the story drags with the weight of too much repetition, and is guilty of bad taste in overstressed drinking scenes. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Sophisticated; No unsuited DAMES » » Hugh Herbert, Guy Kibbee, Dick Powell, Joan Blondell, Ruby Keeler. Robert Lord, author. Direction by Ray Enright and Busby Berkeley. First National-Warner Brothers. Hugh Herbert, helpless in the throes of hiccups, and Zasu Pitts waving her expressive hands in futile despair, are the highlights which will be remembered after the whirling dances, the sentimental songs and the simple story are forgotten. It is another musical comedy extravaganza written around the production of an elaborate revue. The many pretty girls give it its title, and if one does not compare it with others of its type, it will seem amusing enough, gay, and refreshing. The dances are spectacular, relying for effect on camera tricks rather than on terpsichorean skill; the plot is a little vulgar but so absurd as not to seem objectionable; but even Dick Powell can not make it very romantic and Ruby Keeler struggles with a colorless role. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Passable Not recommended XT' HIDE-OUT » » Robert Montgomery, Maureen O’Sullivan, Edward Arnold, Elizabeth Patterson. Directed by W. S. Van Dyke; adapted by Frances Coodrich and Albert Hackett from a story by Mauri. M-G-M. Robert Montgomery plays the part of a young gangster, wounded in flight from the police and harbored by an unsuspecting and kindly farm family. Here he finds regeneration and love. Charmingly told, charmingly played, with much good comedy. Good entertainment value for the family. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Entertaining Yes, if with adults ■v HERE COMES THE NAVY » » James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, Gloria Stuart, Frank McHugh, Dorothy Tree. Ben Markson, author. Direction by Lloyd Bacon. Warner Bros. Here we have two fighting sailors whose bickering and quarrels provide humor, suspense, romance and drama, with the thrilling background of the American Navy as raison d’etre. Life in the navy is pictured from training station to air service, and it all stirs a healthy patriotic thrill to see it, for it rings true. The shots of the fleet, mechanism, guns, aircraft are well worth seeing. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Good Good •w HOUSEWIFE » » Ann Dvorak, George Brent, Bette Davis. Warner Bros. When, in a movie, an easily discouraged young advertising man is inspired by the zeal of his intelligent wife to become a financial success, it is not hard for seasoned movie fans to guess that he will fall a prey to his own conceit and the wiles of a siren. The only surprise in this picture is the extent to which caddishners can be carried and yet be forgiven in the last reel. The picture is fashionably costumed and expensive looking but it has no distinction. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No No