Motion Picture Reviews (1938)

Eight MOTION PICTURE REVIEWS travels from one country to another wiping out enemies of society, and just enough briskness of treatment, to hold interest in this film, although sequence of events is illogical and the social values are preposterous. Killing is considered a pastime when the debonair "Saint,” played by Louis Hayward, is imported from South America to eliminate six of New York’s most powerful gangsters. The plot follows the well-established mystery precedent of fastening the guilt on the person least likely to be suspected. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Stimulates imagination Definitely no in wrong channels © SINNERS IN PARADISE O O John Boles, Madge Evans, Bruce Cabot, Marion Martin, Gene Lockhart, Nana Bryant, Charlotte Wynter, Willie Fung. Original story by Harold Buckley. Adapted by Buckley, Louis Stevens and Lester Cole. Direction by James Whale. Universal. The interest in this picture lies in the delineation of the characters of a number of persons taken from their regular routine and marooned on an island amid the most primitive surroundings — human nature stripped of all the sophistication of civilization and struggling selfishly for the survival of the fittest. The story begins well but becomes unconvincing and disappointing as it unfolds. It is more a study of types than a motivated plot. Adolescents, 1 2 to 16 Children, 8 to 1 2 No value No © STOLEN HEAVEN O O Cer.e Raymond, Olympe Bradna, Clenda Farrell, Lewis Stone. Based on a story by Andrew L. Stone. Screen play by Eve Greene and Frederick Jackson. Paramount. “Stolen Heaven" is like certain people, quite charming if we can overlook certain faults. The story starts with the very clever maneuvers of Carl and Steffi, ostensibly bandleader and singer in a Budapest beer garden, actually jewel thieves of international repute. They succeed in securing a fabulous pearl necklace, only to find the police close on their heels. A refuge opens for them in the sylvan retreat of a kindly old musician who has shunned the world from the time a failing memory withheld him from the concert stage. Day by day the quiet and peace and the trusting friendship of Herr Langauer cast a spell upon Steffi until she has pledged herself to guide him back to his beloved audience, and in the end both Carl and Steffi are regenerated through his belief in them. The use of music is unusually effective. Lewis Stone is splendid. Olympe Bradna is a talented young actress, and Gene Raymond’s work shows intelligence and growth. The chief fault lies in the fact that the youthful leads possess so many favorable qualities that they are remarkably unconvincing as criminals. Adolescents, 1 2 to 16 Children, 8 to 1 2 Mixed standards No. $ SWISS MISS O O Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Della Lind, Walter Woolf King, Eric Blore. Story by Jean Negulesco and Charles Rogers. Screen play by James Parrott, Charles Nelson and Felix Adler. Direction by John G. Blystone. Hal Roach M. G. M. Laurel and Hardy are the comedians in a light opera with gay costumes, charming settings of an Alpine village and hotel, and tuneful music furnished by Walter Woolf King and Della Lind, who take the parts of a temperamental musician and his prima donna wife. The Laurel and Hardy pranks and antics are typical: Laurel inducing a St. Bernard dog to part with his miniature cask of brandy, the pair of them moving a piano to a mountain eyrie over a breath-taking chasm. It is all quite silly, but entertaining if you like these comedians. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Yes Would probably enjoy it TO THE VICTOR O O Will Fyffe, John Loder, Margaret Lockwood. Direction by Robert Stevenson. British Gaumont. This is an unique cinema treat, a picture photographed in its natural locale, the Scottish Highlands, with a slight and homely plot and an exceptional portrait of a selfish and disreputable old man who wins audience sympathy while actually deserving none. Will Fyffe has given a remarkable characterization. It is a delight for those surfeited by beautiful heroes arid heroines and villains who repent at the eleventh hour. The action concerns the big event of a small community when the owners of expert sheep herding dogs enter the animals in competition for a silver cup and the prestige of winning the event. The cleverness of the dogs of different breeds, sent out to gather in six sheep from their hiding places and to herd them over and through obstacles, is very interesting and entertaining, and the sequence is not unduly prolonged. There is added suspense in the development of the character of one of the dogs, and the denouement is excitingly presented. But the high light is the study of McAdams, the consistent old reprobate who cares for no one but his dog and who remains true to his principles throughout. The coun