Motion Picture Reviews (1934)

Ten Motion Picture Reviews thrillingly dramatic, never maudlin, frequently very funny and always entertaining. The characters as well drawn and full of variety and interest. The lines are unusually effective, and hospital procedure is never violated in any important interpretation. It glorifies and explains the nursing profession as no other picture or play has glorified or explained it. Loretta Young never gave a better performance and rises to superb heights in the scene when she is called before the head nurses for a serious violation of house rules. We recommend this film highly. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Good Mature •sr WE LIVE AGAIN » » Anna Sten, Fredric March. From the novel “Resurrection,” by Leo Tolstoy. Adaptation by Maxwell Anderson, Leonard Praskins and Preston Sturges. Photography by Gregg Toland. Direction by Rouben Mamoulian. Samuel Goldwyn Production. United Artists. Tolstoy’s story “Resurrection” has been splendidly pictured. Those familiar with the book will remember it as a tragic story of class distinction during the Czarist regime: the love of a Russian peasant girl for a young nobleman, his betrayal of her and his subsequent regeneration in an attempt to atone for the wrong. Rouben Mamoulian has directed with excellent taste, appealing to audience intelligence and emotions in a sensitive and masterful way. The scenic backgrounds bring Russian life of the period vividly before us. There are groupings of figures against flat backgrounds which have the attributes of modern murals. In fact, the beauty of the settings in the earlier scenes make the plot subservient at times. But the atmosphere, the Russian types among the cast, the exquisite and authentic musical background may be extolled in superlative terms. Anna Sten handles her role skilfully, shading the change in character with subtlety and restraint. Fredric March gives his usual fine performance. It should have wide appeal to a discriminating audience who will weigh the basic theme with intelligence. It is possible perhaps to misinterpret its social significance today. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 A tragic theme: depends Unsuitable upon maturity O SHORT SUBJECTS AFRICA: LAND OF CONTRAST » » James A. Fitzpatrick Travelogue. M-G-M. A pleasing picture with interesting selections, fine photography, clear announcing, free from trite comments. Shows Algeria, Garden of Allah, Cape of Good Hope, City of Durban, Victoria Falls. Family film. •w BETTY BOOPY PRIZE SHOW » » Max Fleischer production. Paramount. A burlesque on old fashioned melodrama which starts out well, but becomes too hectic. Adults. 'V BLACK SHEEP » » Terry Toon. Educational Pictures. An innocuous cartoon picturing a black sheep who called “wolf” too often. Only fair production. Family. ■v CITADELS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN » » James A. Fitzpatrick Travelogue. M-C-M. A fine travel film covering Gibraltar, the Alhambra and the Acropolis in Athens; presenting subjects of unusual interest and giving informative comments. Family. DOMESTIC BLISTERS » » Chick York, Rose King. Direction by Leslie Pearce. Educational Pictures. Old style domestic comedy of quarreling husband and wife. Dull and vulgar. DUMBELL LETTERS » » A Van Buren Production. A collection of actual letters with unintentionally ridiculous messages. Not too long; amusing. Family. FLYING THROUGH HOLLAND WITH WILL ROGERS » » Amity Pictures. From plane to Amsterdam; thence by canal to Vollendam and Marken. The film then becomes a study of Dutch type and costume accompanied by Will Rogers’ humorous but kindly comments. Family. ■w GOING PLACES » » Lowell Thomas. Universal. Interesting travelogue including the Russian Riviera, shots of different African tribes and views of Venetian glass blowers at work. Family.