Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1936)

36 MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA — Continued track days in the old South, this life story of Tod Sloane is a commendable first effort (On the part of Director Irving Pichel. Family. + Box Office p31 Ag 22 '36 "It makes a very nice program number and should appeal to regular audiences. The [children] will like it, as the horse racing atmosphere is exciting and allows for a lot of action The director has captured the simplicity of the piece and he conveys its mood in a most pleasant manner." + Film Daily p7 Ag lo 36 "This human and unpretentious offering, while not continuously exciting, has many merits and will fare well generally in dual harness. _j_ — Hollywood Reporter p3 Ag 12 6b "The story offers entertaining excitement plaved against the background of the sporting world in the 'Gay Nineties.' . . Throughout the story such characters as 'Diamond Jim Brady, Steve Brodie and John L. Sullivan enter the background adding to the picture s appeal. [It] has wide appeal and should fit happily on most programs " Ao iq -<?« + Motion Pict Daily pll Ag 13 6b "Estimate: pleasant neighborhood program." + Phila Exhibitor p41 S 1 '36 " 'The Gentleman from Louisiana' [is] a fast-moving sympathetic picture which is good entertainment in any program division + Variety (Hollywood) p3 Ag 12 36 "The picture's weakness is that it is too consistently depressing. Though we are trained by current literature to associate tragedy with the people of this locale, the introduction of a lighter note would be welcome. Adolescents, 12-16: possible; children, 8-12: too emotional and depressing." h Motion Pict R Jl '36 "A trivial story is ably directed and appealingly portrayed. Family, but too sad for small children." + Nat Council of Jewish Women Je 17 '36 "A: sentimental drama of mountain people; Y and C: interesting if somewhat depressing." Parents' M p69 S '36 "Family." Sel Motion Pict Jl 1 '36 Trade Paper Reviews "The results appear favorable in terms of Miss Weidler, but less auspicious from a box office angle. Selection of the yarn for its tearjerking was .no mistake, but the hill-billy flubdub is just a bit too seedy and the title makes no attempts whatsoever to cover up. With the family and juvenile audiences there won't be any trouble. Bigger houses, however, are out, and dualing has to be taken for granted." -\ Variety pl8 Ag 12 '36 GIRL OF THE OZARKS. Paramount 67min Je 12 '36 Players: Virginia Weidler. Henrietta Cros man. Leif Erikson. Elizabeth Russell Director: William Shea See issue of June 29, 1936 for other reviews of this film Audience Suitability Ratings "Too sad for children. Adults." Am Legion Auxiliary "Family." Calif Fed of Business & Professional Women's Clubs "A production made outstanding by the remarkable ability of little Virginia Weidler, who naturally and convincingly portrays the gamut of emotions and who with simplicity and conviction expresses a child's frustration and despair. . . The plot is routine with a very weak and abrupt ending, but the child actress and her supporting cast, as well as the beautifully photographed mountain scenery, lift the picture far above the ordinary. Family. E Coast Preview Committee "A sad little story, overdrawn and not entirely consistent. It offers, however, some good characterizations but its ethical value for family audiences is debatable." Nat Soc of New England Women "With a theme concerning the salvaging of an underprivileged and misunderstood child this picture presents a somewhat over-sentimentalized and at times, unconvincing story of the child of a poor Ozark mother. . . This social drama is well adapted for the enjoyment of the family." S Calif Council of Fed Church Women Fox W Coast Bui Je 27 '36 "This true picture of a primitive people in our own land is depressing but starkly realistic in its human interest and convincing acting by the entire cast. Family." Gen Fed of Women's Clubs (W Coast) Je 20 '36 "Family." Jt Estimates Je 15 '36 GIRLS' DORMITORY. 20th century-Fox 65min Ag 7 '36 Players: Simone Simon. Constance Collier. Ruth Chatterton. Herbert Marshall Director: Irving Cummings Based on the play, Matura, by Ladislaus Fodor. The plot concerns a young school girl in a strict German girls' school who falls in love with a middle-aged professor. He in turn is loved by an older teacher. When the young girl finds this out, she is heart-broken and runs away to Paris. The professor gives up the woman who has loved him for years and follows the young girl. Audience Suitability Ratings "A: excellent; Y: doubtful value and effect." Christian Century plll9 Ag 19 '36 "The outdoor fencing scene is one long to be remembered, and all exteriors show fine selection and photography. Adults & young people." Am Legion Auxiliary "This delightful picture, primarily for adults, offers an interesting psychological study in the reactions of young people and adults to a given situation. . . Adults: good; family: no; 14-18: no; 8-14: no." Calif Cong of Par & Teachers "The story is not a particularly profound one, still the production has a certain haunting quality due entirely to the personality and facility of the vivacious little French star, Simone Simon. . . Simone has unusual ability and responds to moods as does a delicate instrument. Herbert Marshall and Ruth Chatterton give excellent performances — better than the story warrants. Mature." Calif Fed of Business & Professional Women's Clubs "Good. Inappropriate title. Mature." DAR "An artistic and skillfully directed production with a verv fine cast and careful attention to detail. Vivid and entertaining for mature audiences." Nat Soc of New England Women "A thoroughly psychological and convincing social drama. Family." S Calif Council of Fed Church Women "Deft and understanding direction and a gifted cast again prove their importance in the making of a distinguished photoplay, and a story that might easily have been ordinary is + + Exceptionally Good; + Good; H Fair; | Mediocre; —Poor; Exceptionally Poor