Motion Picture Reviews (1934)

Four Motion Picture Reviews in color, which costumes and sets undoubtedly gave the production. For American audiences Anna May Wong adds distinction to an excellent cast. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Beastly cruel details Not advised v THE CAPTAIN HATES THE SEA » » Walter Connolly, Victor McLaglen, Wynne Cibson, Alison Skipworth, John Gilbert, Helen Vinson, Leon Errol. Original story and screen play by Wallace Smith. Direction by Lewis Milestone. Columbia. On leaving port the captain expresses his aversion for the sea and so contributes the title; as he says the stupid, undesirable, guzzling men and women on the trip from California to New York are typical of all his passenger lists, he can scarcely be blamed. John Gilbert plays the role of writer who views his companions through an alcoholic haze. There are also a pair of bond thieves, a notorious woman with a slightly sadistic husband and a Mexican gentleman en route to a revolution, all running away from life. It is a satirical farce in which each character is subtly and skilfully exaggerated. It pokes fun at pleasure trips where people are trying to have a grand time and brings out the salient reminder that we take with us the things from which we are trying to escape. However, the moral tone is low seeming to condone various social weaknesses, and the situations are so faintly coordinated that for the average spectator the production is decidedly lacking in coherence as well as in good taste. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Impossible No ■v CHEATING CHEATERS » » Fay Wray, Cesar Romero, Henry Armetta, Frances L. Sullivan. Original story by Max Marcin, adapted by Gladys Linger, Allen Rivkin, James Mulhauser. Direction by Richard Thorpe. RKO. A police woman, acting the role of diamond thief, finds romance and saves her lover from ill chosen associates. It is a lightly treated mystery play somewhat incoherently developed and ineffectual as entertainment. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Not recommended No yr CRIMSON ROMANCE » » Ben Lyon, Sari Maritza, Eric Von Stroheim. Direction by David Howard. Mascot Master Production. Following the new trend in war pictures, this one is built around the friendship of two young men whose nationality forces them to fight on opposing sides but whose similarity of taste prompts them to fall in love with the same girl. Since both are aviators, a great deal of flying is shown. A jumbled story at what should have been its high point, and unconvincing acting leave little to applaud save the hope expressed in the end that future generations will live in an age when war is no more. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No, too sordid No •w THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO » » Robert Donat, Elissa Landi, Louis Calhern, Sidney Blackmer, Raymond Walbum, O. P. Heggie. From the novel by Alexandre Dumas. Adaptation by Philip Dunne, Dan Totheroh and Rowland V. Lee. Direction by Rowland V. Lee. United Artists. This is an interesting and exciting picture, an apparently conscientious effort to make an adaptation worthy of Alexandre Dumas’ novel. It tells the romantic story of Edmond Dantes, a young Frenchman of Napoleon’s time, who for private and political reasons is incarcerated for twenty years in a dungeon of the Chateau d’lf until he makes a thrilling escape and, as the Count of Monte C-risto, returns to the world to plot and accomplish the ruin of his enemies. Though lacking the sweep and force of Dumas’ novel the picture is excellent entertainment. Robert Donat as the hero is handsome and aristocratic in appearance and speaks his lines with real distinction. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Very good Too exciting and confusing COLLEGE RHYTHM » » Joe Penner, Jack Oakie, Lanny Ross, Lyda Roberti, Helen Mack, Mary Brian. Direction by Norman Taurog. Paramount. “College Rhythm” offers the imbecilities of Joe Penner, the braggadocio of Jack Oakie, some snappy new songs, and a boisterous chorus. A Phi Beta Kappa and a football star are rivals in all things, including love, with honors about even as the final touchdown. In the matter of entertainment value the spectator is the principal factor. Many people will enjoy the youthful exuberance of the show, and others will suffer boredom almost beyond endurance because of the exaggerated conception of college characters and the obvious brand of humor. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Yes Enjoyable