Motion Picture Reviews (1934)

Motion Picture Reviews Nine THE SILVER STREAK » » Sally Blane, Charles Starrett, Hardie Albright, William Farnum. From a story by Roger Whately. Direction by Thomas Atkins. R-K-O. We can recommend this picture with real zest. For sheer excitement, swift action, wholesome motivation and timeliness it is entertainment of the first rank. The limelight is held by an ultra modern stream line train that makes a record trip across the continent to bring a life saving device to Hoover Dam. The persons of the drama are less important though adequately portrayed as wholesome, normal individuals whose personal lives are affected by the success of the “Silver Streak” in its thrilling speed test. Interesting photography of machinery, scenes of the Hoover Dam, the Chicago Fair and the country over which the “Silver Streak” travels add much interest. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Excellent Good but possibly too exciting for some xr UNKNOWN BLOND » » Edward Arnold, Helen Eddy, John Miljan, Arietta Duncan, Barry Norton, Dorothy Revier. From the story "Collusion” by Theodore Irwin. Direction by Hobart Henley. Majestic Pictures. An unsuccessful lawyer who is too honest to handle framed up divorce cases changes his ethical outlook when his wife divorces him through trickery. At this point the picture becomes a study in easy and dishonest divorce methods and proceeds to a melodramatic climax when the lawyer again meets unforseen circumstances which touch him personally. The acting is good, especially that of Edward Arnold and Arietta Duncan, but the story is an unpleasant one, and the change of title from “Collusion” to “Unknown Blond” does not make the theme any more agreeable. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Unpleasant and Entirely unsuitable. unsuitable. WITHOUT CHILDREN » » Bruce Cabot, Evelyn Brent, Reginald Denny. Directed by William Nigh. Liberty Corp. This is another story of divorce in a typical middle class American home, and it is sup posed to show the effect upon children of the estrangement of parents and subsequent remarriage. The story seems more or less manipulated to prove the point but fails to do so. The hard-boiled youngsters exhibit admirable qualities as soon as their respected mother decides to “go modern,” and the erring father returns from his prolonged holiday abroad to become a model parent. There are comedy scenes to relieve the serious tone, but neither comedy nor tragedy touches the fundamental realities of life. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Mature No interest 'W WHITE LIES » » Walter Connolly, Fay Wray, Victor Jory. Direction by Leo Bulgakov. Harold Shumate, author. Columbia. A stupid “gun-toting” melodrama with a confused plot. It is supposed to show what harm can be done by a newspaper man who ruthlessly publishes news without regard to the effect it may have upon persons involved, but it is so poorly presented, so badly motivated and so completely unreal that it has no entertainment value. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No Impossible ■w WOMAN IN THE DARK » » Fay Wray, Ralph Bellamy, Melvyn Douglas From a story by Dashiell Hammett. Direction by Phil Rosen. Select Productions released through RKO. That the story is an adaptation of a novel by Dashiell Hammett will attract admirers of his mystery tales, but this picture will prove a decided disappointment. It is so crudely handled that one can hardly tell whether or not it is good screen material. Actually lack of taste is its worst fault but it is also far behind the standards of recent pictures in continuity and reality. The plot concerns a young man once sentenced for manslaughter, who after his release from prison, is framed by a depraved and vicious character. The whole lacks conviction and interest. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No No