Motion Picture Reviews (1938)

MOTION PICTURE REVIEWS Nine tryside is lovely, and the natural atmosphere of background and interesting types is a joy for American audiences. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 1 2 Excellent Sad in connection with just punishment of a sheep killing dog © THREE COMRADES O O Robert Taylor, Margaret Sullavan, Franchot Tone, Robert Young, Henry Hull. From the novel by Erich Maria Remarque. Screen play by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Edward E. Paramore. Directed by Frank Borzage. M. C. M. The setting for this emotional and tragic story is post-war Germany in the years immediately following the demobilization of three German officers of the flying squadron. Their attempt to make an adjustment to civil life, their bitter struggles against poverty, their reaction to rioting and mob stupidity, and their bewilderment and heart rending experiences leave spectators depressed by tragedy, by the indisputable loss of individual right to happiness in such a setting. Franchot Tone, Robert Young and Robert Taylor are cast as the three officers. Tone is especially effective in his role. Margaret Sullavan gives depth and sincerity to her impersonation of the young woman, dying of tuberculosis, who marries her lover in order to have a few last weeks of companionship with him. It is an exceedingly well-done production, well-directed and well-adapted to the screen, and bringing to American adult audiences the unhappy realization that youth today, in any country, faces problems of undeniable bitterness which must be met with sanity and above all with tolerance and faith. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Too depressing No © TORCHY BLANE IN PANAMA O O Lola Lane, Paul Kelly, Tom Kennedy. Screen play by George Bricker. Based on a story by Anthony Coldeway. Direction by William Clemens. Warner Bros. In the latest chapter of Torchy Blane’s adventures, action is the keynote with plenty of thrills, and the plot is of minor concern. Torchy’ s policeman friend, Steve, in search of clues to a robbery and murder, sets out to trail a group of convention delegates to Panama. Torchy pursues him by aeroplane, bails out in a parachute and is picked up by an ocean liner. The series is becoming rather like a serial, but this film is fairly entertaining of its type. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Sophisticated atmosphere No VIVACIOUS LADY O O Ginger Rogers, James Stewart, James Ellison, Beulah Bondi, Charles Coburn, Frances Mercer. From the story by I. A. R. Wylie. Screen play by P. J. Wolson and Ernest Pagano. Direction by George Stevens. R. K. O. Here is a rollicking, gay comedy presented by an excellent cast and having few slow moments. It is sophisticated, treading lightly on forbidden ground but avoiding a breach of taste with finesse and skill. Peter (James Stewart), son and grandson of college presidents, who is being groomed to hold that position eventually himself, goes to New York to bring back an erring cousin who loves the bright lights too well. There he falls in love, suddenly and irrevocably, with a night club entertainer and returns with her as his bride. The play concerns his efforts to break the news to Father — pompous, dictatorial and bigoted. The situations are ridiculously funny ; the action for the most part swift and hilarious. James Stewart is charming and believable as the timid, studious professor who has been swept off his feet by the lovely girl, and Ginger Rogers again proves herself to be an effective comedienne. Beulah Bondi is delicious as the wife who rebels after years of being the conventional echo of her husband, and Charles Coburn is perfect in his role. The usual physical battle, found in all comedies today, adds little to the general effect, but it does bring laughter. For those who wish an hour of light, mirthful diversion, “Vivacious Lady” should not disappoint. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Sophisticated Mature © WHITE BANNERS O O Claude Rains, Fay Bainter, Jackie Cooper, Bonita Granville, Henry O'Neill, Kay Johnson, James Stephenson, J. Farrell McDonald. Screen play by Lenore Coffee, Cameron Rogers and Abem Finkel. From the novel by Lloyd C. Douglas. Direction by Edmund Goulding. Assistant director, Frank Heath. Warner Bros. Whether through premonition or sad experience, few studios dare to make pictures which frankly expound a philosophy of life, and sentiment is rarely presented without the apology of a wisecrack, or seriousness except as a concomitant of sorrow. Being neither frivolous nor tragic, “White Banners” is an interesting departure from the rule. It is a superbly cast, beautifully directed, and absorbing story of the triumph of ideas. The thrills are those of accomplishment: the mastery of self and the mastery of science. It has the idealism coupled with homely realities which we have learned to expect in stories by Lloyd C. Douglas and should be singularly appealing to those who believe that there is satisfaction to be found in everyday life. It is about people whom we should like