Motion Picture Reviews (1934)

Four Motion Picture Reviews major portion of the picture deals with the planning and execution of burglary and the disposal of stolen goods. The theme is trite but good acting lifts it above mediocrity. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No No BIG HEARTED HERBERT » » Cuy Kibbee, Aline MacMahen, Patricia Ellis, Phillips Reed. Play by Sophie Kerr. Direction by William Keighley. Warner Bros. Simple, broad comedy about a self-made egotist whose family has to take him in hand in order to teach him that bad manners are not necessarily concomitant with homely virtues. If the production had had more restraint it would have been more artistic, but it is hearty fun which many audiences will enjoy. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Many laughs Little interest ir BY YOUR LEAVE » » Frank Morgan, Genevieve Tobin, Neil Hamilton. From the play by Gladys Hurlbut and Emma B. C. Wells. Direction by Lloyd Corrigan. R-K-O. This satire accomplishes a certain purpose by showing how absurd a middle aged husband may be when he tries to renew his youth by straying and finds that far fields are not so green as they looked. It is over-acted and tedious, although there are a few spots of high comedy. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Too sophisticated No CHARLIE CHAN IN LONDON » » Warner Oland, Drue Seyton, Mona Barrie, Alan Mobray, Madge Bellamy. Screen play based on Earl Derr Bigger’s stories. Adapted by Philip McDonald. Direction by Eugene Forde. Fox. Charlie Chan again summons laughter with his clumsy, picturesque variations of our mother tongue, while he slowly but dextrously unweaves the tangled web of a fresh mystery and extricates an innocent young man. The story moves with a somewhat ponderous momentum in a very correct and beautiful English setting with fine views of hunting and the shady countryside. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Fine Mature •w THE CASE OF THE HOWLINC DOG » » Warren William, Mary Astor, Helen Trenholme, Allen Jenkins. Direction by Alan Crosland. Warner Bros. This murder mystery is fast moving with a plot involved enough to supply an unusual number of false clues and a plausible solution. It will tax the sleuthing powers of experienced fans and keep them guessing while they shudder at the thought of a mournfully howling police dog and admire Warren William’s competent handling of the role of detective. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No; sordid implications No 'T' CLEOPATRA » » Claudette Colbert, Warren William, Henry Wilcoxen, Ian Keith. Direction by Cecil B. DeMille. Paramount. Cecil B. DeMille is a magician who keeps taking bigger and more expensive rabbits out of his hat for the edification of the public, and the public is usually entranced if not entirely fooled by his ingenuity. More lavish than ever, and most beautifully photographed is “Cleopatra.” However, some early impression, doubtless erroneous, gleaned from Shakespeare or other source, inhibits us from believing that Cleopatra was just the “littlegirl-trying-to-get-along” type of queen that this picture makes her and that Calperina and her satelites differed only in dress from Broadway ladies at a pent-house party. There are nevertheless a few moments of great sincerity and intense drama and Claudette Colbert is a lovely model upon whom to display an array of gorgeous costumes. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Questionable No v DUDE RANGER » » George O'Brien, Irene Hervey. From a story by Zane Crey. Direction by Edward F. Cline. Fox. A western which is unusually coherent in plot. It lacks the ordinary confusion of wild rides and gun play which some hardened movie fans may miss, but the story unfolds consistently and entertainingly if not with any startling originality. A young Easterner, upon inheriting a cattle ranch, goes west to claim it. His identity is not at first recognized and he takes the opportunity to locate several thousand head of missing cattle, the responsible villain and finds romance as well. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 If it interests Yes; fair THE DEFENSE RESTS » » Jack Holt, Jean Arthur, Nat Pendleton, Arthur Hohl. Direction by Lambert Hillyer. Columbia. This is a picture of the type of lawyer whose very existence must be deplored by all intelligent people. Devoid of conscience