Motion Picture Reviews (1934)

Motion Picture Reviews Seven this fact and also of an element of deep human interest and a fine attitude towards marriage, it does not rise above the level of ordinary fare. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Mediocre; no No THE MERRY WIDOW » » Maurice Chevalier, Jeannette MacDonald, Edward Everett Horton, Una Merkel, Minna Combel. From the operetta by Franz Lehar. Direction by Ernst Lubitsch. M-C-M. In this spectacular production the old theme and favorite music come to us revamped, with lovely costumes of another generation and gorgeous settings. It is a typical musical comedy with a mythical kingdom, a princely lover and a lonely lady who won his lasting love after misunderstandings and incriminations. It is gay, risque, alluring, amusing and entertaining. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Sophisticated Unsuitable •v MRS. WICCS OF THE CABBACE PATCH » » Pauline Lord, W. C. Fields, Zasu Pitts, Evelyn Venable, Kent Taylor, Donald Meek, Jimmy Butler, George Breakston, Virginia Weidler, Carmencita Johnson, Edith Fellows. From the story by Alice Hegan Rice and Anne Crawford Flexner. Adaptation by Wm. McNutt and Jane Storm. Direction Norman Taurog. Paramount. It must have called for great courage on the part of the producers and Miss Pauline Lord to attempt the difficult task of bringing the much-loved Mrs. Wiggs to life on the screen. They are to be congratulated upon their success in presenting this staunch heroine in a way that brings out all the virtues for which she has so long been famous. The popularity of the book has been due not only to its humor but basically to the very human appealing story of a fine character, the woman who fought poverty, discouragement and tragedy for her children’s sake, who lived in a shack yet made it a home and spread the influence of her admirable philosophy throughout the community. The picture is an accurate reflection of the spirit of the book. Though some people may wish it had presented incidents which have been omitted and others that the comedy had been less slap-stick or the pathos not so long drawn out, most audiences will thoroughly enjoy the production and will be grateful to the motion picture industry for a good, wholesome family picture. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Excellent Excellent for some, but too sad for emotional children MADAME DU BARRY » » Dolores Del Rio, Reginald Owen, Veree Teasdale, Anita Louise, Victor Jory. Edward Chodorov, author. Direction by William Dieterle. Warner Bros. This production is not intended as a deep or valuable portrayal of history. It gives no serious impression of the social unrest of the period, the poverty and bitterness of the masses, contrasted with the luxury and extravagance of the court. Although DuBarry is shown showered with gifts, lavishly embellished and wantonly incorrigible in her desire for pleasure, she is pictured as appealing to Louis XV chiefly as a gay playmate rather than as the ambitious intriguing, sensuous courtesan which we have thought her. There is little of politics. Rather the human, amusing and lighter side of court life is shown and the personal rivalries of the ladies and the gentlemen who surrounded the King. Reginald Owen is exceptionally fine as Louis, sharing interest with Miss Del Rio. Anita Louise is given an opportunity in her role of Marie Antoinette with her tragic marriage a high light of the film. It is entertaining, gorgeously costumed and colorfully set with pageantry. It is easy to see and as easily forgotten. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Of no value Not suitable ONE EXCITING ADVENTURE » » Binnie Barnes, Neil Hamilton, Paul Cavanaugh, Grant Mitchell. Story by Franz Schulz and Villie Wilder. Direction by Ernst L. Frank. Universal. If an individual has been “conditioned” by the exploits of “Raffles” and “Arsene Lupin” and other fascinating thieves, he will no doubt place the perfumed peregrinations of Rina Sorel, the beautiful kleptomaniac, in the same category, quite outside the realistic realm, and will thoroughly enjoy this mystery with its glittering, modernistic settings. On the other hand, for those who take their plots literally and for young people it has bad elements. Not only does it elaborate upon methods of crime and the evasion of punishment, but it makes all the officials of the law boors and simpletons held up to derision by the glamorous people of the underworld. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Harmful Absolutely not