Motion Picture Reviews (1935)

Six Motion Picture Reviews the deliberate intellectual cruelty of her lover. Melodramatic in theme, the picture itself is not melodramatic. It is almost entirely psychological depending for interest upon the mental processes of its characters rather than upon their deeds. It is an unpleasant but singularly fascinating production. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 By no means Certainly not ■v CHARLIE CHAN IN PARIS » » Warner Oland, Mary Brian, Thomas Beck. Story by Philip MacDonald, based on character created by Earl Derr Biggers. Direction by Lewis Seiler. Fox. While not as ingenious as some of the Charlie Chan tales, this is still an entertaining mystery story. Photography gives an interesting impression of the Paris sewers and adds much to the suggestion of danger and suspense. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Exciting but ethical Not advised ■sr EVERGREEN » > Jessie Mathews, Sonnie Hale, Betty Balfour, Barney Mackay. Taken from the stage play by the same name by Charles B. Cochran. Lyrics and music by Richard Rogers and Henry Woods. Direction by Victor Savilo. British-Caumont. In this musical picture, beautifully costumed and set, the lyrical qualities of a Victor Herbert operetta are combined with the more modern conception of a dance extravaganza. Jessie Mathews, the leading lady, has a lovely voice as well as a magnetic personality and fits delightfully into her role of dancer and singer. A pleasantly romantic plot holds the various sequences together and makes the picture very appealing family entertainment. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Good Mature •v ENCHANTED APRIL » > Ann Harding, Frank Morgan. From the novel by "Elizabeth" and the dramatization by Kane Campbell. Screen play by Hoffenstein and Harris. Direction by Harry Beaumont. R-K-O. To subject to austere literary criticism this, the lightest of all of “Elizabeth’s” novels, would be like trying to trap and analyze a sunbeam. It is a brave venture on the part of the studios to attempt to catch with a camera the elfin charm and whimsey of such a story. Yet, in this instance the actors have caught and the camera has recorded something of these qualities. The four English ladies who go off to a villa in Italy for a month in order to escape their stodgy hus bands or other problems take the audience with them, and in the amusing frictions which follow one laughs with and at them. There is here only a faint flavor of that bitter irony which characterized this brilliant author’s style, and much of the witty dialogue which sparkles upon her pages has been retained. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Yes Too elusive and mature ■v FORSAKING ALL OTHERS » » Joan Crawford, Clark Cable, Robert Montgomery, Charles Butterworth, Billie Burke. From the play by Frank M. Cavett and Edward B. Roberts. Screen play by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Direction by W. S. Van Dyke. M-C-M. This picture was made for the sole purpose of being amusing. The director and a notable cast seem to have worked harmoniously and successfully toward this end. If, therefor, the vagaries of the trite and shallow plot leave one a little bewildered, sparkling dialogue and humorous incidents included for their own sake are adequate compensation for many in the audience. As to the theme, the story concerns the blind love of a girl for a man who has left her waiting at the church and the deeper love of another man for her. Often this type of light sophisticated comedy seems forced but this picture maintains an even tempo of humor and gayety balanced by pathos and courage in which the characters maintain a whimsical, debonair attitude in the face of the grave difficulties they encounter. Hollywood probably mirrors its own reputed attitude toward love and marriage and easy divorce in the extreme situations which are created and as a comedy of manners American adult discount is required for its acceptance. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 No No •v THE CILDED LILY » » Claudette Colbert, Fred McMurray. Direction by Wesley Ruggles. Paramount. Seated on a bench in the park, a newspaper reporter and a stenographer compare their dreams for the future. We progress with them through the entertaining comedy that follows and at the end we find that their dreams were within their grasp all the while but they didn’t know it. The theme incorporates clever dialogue, witty repartee and amusing situations which, though utterly impossible, seem plausible enough. With her vivacity and skilled acting, Miss Colbert brings charm to her role of modern Cinderella. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Amusing Mature