Motion Picture Reviews (1938)

Four MOTION PICTURE REVIEWS to eliminate the girl and marry the gentleman herself, although she admits that she does not love him but is in love with the man who has been her guardian angel throughout the years. The several problems of ethics and morals are somewhat involved, but the production is cleverly done, smoothly directed with humor and good dialogue, so that audiences are swept overboard in an orgy of sentiment. In acting, little John Russell, Cesar Romero, and George Davis in a bit part, take the honors from the stars. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 By no meant No © BOOLOO O O Colin Tapley, Suratna Asmara, Arthur Lane, Captain Stanley, Nah Laku, Lam Pak, Ah Hoe, Rod DeSouza, Nah Pus, Ah Lee. Screen play by Robert E. Welsh. Based on an original by Clyde E. Elliott. Direction by Clyde E. Elliott. Paramount. Clyde E. Elliott, who directed “Bring ’Em Back Alive’’ and “Devil Tiger,” brings cinema audiences new thrills in his latest jungle melodrama. The photographic record of nine months spent in the northern Malay Peninsula is the background for the bloodcurdling adventures of Robert Rogers, a young English explorer. The young man’s father had been discredited by the British Exploration Society for his account of a former expedition wherein he told of a white tiger worshipped by the Sakai natives and to which they sacrificed young maidens. Attempting to trap the white tiger, Rogers is narrowly missed by the poisoned arrows of infuriated natives, and all other members of the expedition are killed. Fortunately he is able to communicate by short-wave radio with an army outpost and is rescued. The film is entertaining because of the authentic pictures of wild animals in their native surroundings. It is also a tremendously thrilling though somewhat incredible adventure story. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Interesting but very Harrowing exciting © BOY MEETS GIRL O O James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, Marie Wilson, Ralph Bellamy, Frank McHugh, Dick Foran, Bruce Lester, Ronald Reagan, Paul Clark, Penny Singleton, Dennie Moor, Harry Seymour, Bert Hanlon, James Stephenson. Adapted from a play by the same name by Bella and Samuel Spewack. Direction by Lloyd Bacon. Warner Bros. This hilarious satire on Hollywood, so popular on the stage, is literally translated to the screen, and the laughs depend on the dialogue which is fast and caustic. It pictures studio life gone mad, and the insane antics of a “half baked" personnel. Those who remember “Once in a Life Time” will see the resemblance, for Hollywood again laughs at its own eccentricities. The treatment is broad, even daring. It may offend some, for the raucous comedy is far from subtle. It is intended for laughter, and the audience may for the most part respond. Personal reactions will be exactly what they were to the stage version — entirely relative. Marie Wilson is excellently cast and gives an outstanding performance. Jimmy Cagney has better opportunities than Pat O’Brien but they are well paired. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 1 2 Not recommended No © FOUR’S A CROWD O O Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Rosalind Russell, Patric Knowles, Walter Connolly, Hugh Herbert, Herman Bing. From a story by Wallace Sullivan. Screen play by Casey Robinson and Sig Herzig. Direction by Michael Curtiz. Warner Bros. For completely insane hilarity we recommend “Four’s a Crowd.” Readers will be spared our analysis of the plot for we are still a bit hazy about it all, although there is an impression left of four distinctly personable young people in love, but changing the object of their affections so rapidly as to make one dizzy; of an eccentric millionaire who plays with toy trains, and of an exciting race between two of the models. It all makes little sense, and it doesn’t need to. The cast is superlative. Each plays his lunatic role with just the right amount of restraint, and it is difficult to pick out one without mentioning all. For highlights, possibly the scene when “man bites dog” is one, or when Errol Flynn is talking on the telephone to two sweethearts and making each believe the other call is business, or — but see it yourself for relaxation without brain work. Adolescents, 12 to 16 Children, 8 to 12 Good fun Confusing perhaps but nothing objectionable © GARDEN OF THE MOON O O Pat O'Brien, Margaret Lindsay, John Payne, Johnnie Davis, Melville Cooper, Isabel Jeans, Mable Todd, Curt Bois, Ray Mayer, Jerry Colonna, Joe Venuti, Jimmie Fidler. Screen play by Jerry Wald and Richard Macaulay. From story by H. Bedford Jones and Barton Browne. Direction by Busby Berkeley. Warner Bros. John Quinn (Pat O'Brien) is the manager of a California night club. His utter lack of conscience involves him in many feuds — with his orchestra leader, the hotel owners, the union of hat checkers, and finally with Jimmy Fidler (in person) who resents the release of false news stories. Quinn is at last humbled,