Motion Picture Reviews (1934)

Motion Picture Reviews Eleven THE GOOD SCOUT WILLIE HOPPER » » By P. A. Powers. M-G-M. A Sunday comic strip transferred to the screen picturing a Boy Scout’s day of good deeds. The extravagancies and crudities of the “Funny Papers” appear here, and burlesques of Scout activities are in bad taste. Not recommended. v THE HAUNTED HOUSE » » Mickey Mouse. Walt Disney. United Artists. Mickey wanders into a house full of skeletons. Undoubtedly clever, it yet is macabre entertainment, for the skill of the artist’s handling of these creatures in dance and rhythm is actually terrifying. It is not recommended for children’s matinees. v KEEPINCTIME » » Grantland Rice Sportlight. Announcing by Ted Husing. Paramount. The importance of perfect timing in sports is explained with significant illustrations in pictures of well known athletes in action. Marred somewhat by attempts at “wise-cracking,” but of special interest to all interested in sports. yr LITTLE FELLER * » Chic Sale. Direction by Jack Cummings. M-C-M. A poem by Brininstool is illustrated by Chic Sale representing the sad old man whose grandson has died, and who is disposing of his pony and chaps. It is well done but very sad. Adults. Too unrelieved for children’s entertainment. ■ w LIFE’S LAST LAUGH (No. 2) » » Comments by Carl Stearns Clancy. Columbia. Curious, rare old inscriptions to be found on gravestones in New England cemeteries; interesting and amusing. Adults. yr MACIC FISH » » A Terry Toon. Fox. A spirited tale of the magic fish who was caught and freed and who subsequently saved the fisherman’s life. Pursuing figures marr value for small children, but some of the drawings are very good. Family. ■sr MILLER’S DAUGHTER » » Leon Schlesinger. Vitaphone. Two china figurines find their way to the attic among other stored bric-a-brac. All come to life. Charming in color and occasional bits, it lacks ingenuity and is guilty. of several examples of bad taste. Adults. ONE HORSE FARMER » » Thelma Todd. Hal Roach. M-C-M. Poorly conceived comedy of two girls who attempt to become farmers. Adults. ORGAN RECITAL » * Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Crawford. Vitaphone. Popular melodies illustrated by suitable scenes. Organ music and photography good, but production too slow to interest. Family. •w PARDON MY PUPS » » Frolics of Youth series. Direction by Charles Lamont. Educational. A human little story of a boy who thinks he is afraid of dogs until his sympathy is aroused. His little sister, played by Shirley Temple, helps him care for the dog which wins his love. The film lacks sponteneity, but on the whole is entertaining. Family and junior matinees. •w SCREEN SNAPSHOTS » » Columbia. Shots of movie stars which will please many. Family. SONCS OF THE COLLEGES » » With Hal Roberts Band. R-K-O. Kaleidoscopic views of different college campuses accompanied by the schools’ most popular songs: U.S.C., Yale, Cornell, Uni versity of Chicago, Ohio State, Tulane, Army, Navy, Washington, Harvard, Michigan, Georgia Tech and Notre Dame. Music stirring and well played, college views good. It is interesting but might be cut into two showings to advantage. Family. ■w STRANGER THAN FICTION (No. 2) » » Announcer, Alois Havilla. Universal. Similar to the “Believe It or Not” series, this presents curiosities of the world in fairly interesting manner. Family. yr TRAPEZE ARTIST » » Krazy Kat Cartoon. Columbia. Exaggerated, vulgar cartoon with the theme song carried out by the story. Adults. yr VIVA WILLIE » » Willie Hopper, by P. A. Powers. M-C-M. This offshoot of the comic strip shows Willie rescuing a Spanish dancer from a desperado. Some of the characters are terrifying for small children. Too mediocre to recommend.