Motion Picture Reviews (1934)

Eight Motion Picture Reviews TKE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS » * Joan Bennett, Francis Lederer, Mary Boland, Charles Ruggles. From the play “Bundling.” Direction by Alexander Hall. Paramount. Bundling may have been an old American custom, but even in colonial days it apparently provoked censure. Certainly it was a startling innovation in courtship to the young Hessian played so lightly and charmingly by Francis Lederer, and his sophisticated reactions will cause much pertinent laughter from audiences who will enjoy this airy but somewhat audacious comedy. The cast is well chosen. Miss Bennett is lovely as the very nice girl who is attracted to the young foreigner and who cleverly adapts to her own use the comments of the self appointed director of morals in her community. Mary Boland and Charles Ruggles add merriment in their roles. The film has been tastefully adapted and directed, but will shock or amuse according to one’s reactions toward jovial burlesque of Americana. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Not recommended No SIDE STREETS » » Aline MacMahon, Paul Kelly, Ann Dvorak. Direction by Alfred E. Green. Ann Garrick and Ethel Hall, authors. Warner-First National. Whatever of interest there is in this picture is conrtibuted by Aline MacMahon. In the role of a genuine, warm-hearted woman she befriends a penniless sailor, marries him, tries to develop in him an interest in her fur business and to teach him to become a worthwhile life partner. When she eventually discovers that her faith and generosity have been misplaced in her childish, philandering husband she still “carries on.” Insofar as the picture develops the character study of this woman it is unusual and commands attention, but it is weakened by trite ramifications of the plot, the intrigues of the husband, and above all by a sentimental supposition that such a man would be metamorphosed by the sight of an empty cradle and a trunk full of baby clothes. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Unsuitable No REDHEAD » » Grace Bradley, Regis Toomey. Story by Vera Brown. Direction by Melvin Brown. Monogram. A head-strong, wayward youth and an artist’s model, whose beauty brings her undeserved publicity at times, decide to blackmail his wealthy father into buying off their marriage. But Father’s reaction is unexpected and the predicament in which they find themselves forms the basis for a really human and amusing comedy drama, simple, unpretentious, and entertaining. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Mature No •w SECRET OF THE CHATEAU » » Claire Dodd, Clark Williams, Jack La Rue, Alice White. From a story by L. G. Blochman. Direction by Richard Thorpe. Universal. The theft of a Gutenburg Bible and two incidental murders form the foundation for a mystery drama which lacks most of the attributes necessary to make it interesting. The flexible ethics common to many motion pictures permit the girl to go free because she is the love interest, while the men involved in the crimes pay the penalty prescribed by law. Except for unusual lighting and photography the film has little to recommend it. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No No SMARTY » » Joan Blondell, Warren William, Edward Everett Horton. Direction by Robert Florey. First National. This extremely sophisticated farce satirizes frivolous divorce and the empty headed “baby doll” type of wife who deliberately tyrannizes over her husband with tantrums and wide-eyed innocence. It is cleverly acted by an excellent cast, but is too audaciously risque to please conservative theatregoers. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No No STUDENT TOUR » * Jimmy Durante, Charles Butterworth, Maxine Doyle. Direction by Charles F. Riesner. M-G-M. A silly picture, very poorly done, showing a round-the-world cruise of men and women college students. It incorporates all the inanities and bad taste which are too often found in campus pictures. The interpolated songs and dances do not redeem it. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No No •w SCHOOL FOR GIRLS » » Sidney Fox, Paul Kelly, Charles Ray, Anna Q. Nilsson. Suggested by story by Kauffman “Our Undisciplined Daughters.” Direction by William Nigh. Liberty Pictures Corp. With unpardonably bad taste the inmates of a girls’ reform school are all shown as