Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1936)

42 MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST ECSTASY. Eureka 85min Cast: Hedy Kiesler. Jaromir Rogoz. Albert Mog Director: Gustav Machaty A silent film produced in Czechoslovakia with "dubbed in" English dialogue. It is not to be confused with Ecstasy of Young Love. This film won the prize in the International Film Show in Italy last year. It was produced several years ago and was held by the Customs Department until recently. "When the passionate nature of a young wife finds no response in her cold and elderly husband, she finds fulfillment in the arms of another man, thereby driving her husband to suicide." (Nat Legion of Decency) and too frequent coincidence, the picture has been given a tongue-in-the-cheek treatment with plenty of comedy relief to truly minimize its defects." H Hollywood Reporter p3 N 25 '36 -j Motion Pict Daily p8 N 30 '36 "Marked by some swift action and lively fun, 'Ellis Island' is fair enough comedy melodrama for the lower brackets on dual programs. Picture starts in a rather serious vein, but turns out to be a travesty on tough gangsters, with the gunmen the butt of some amusing kidding." H Variety (Hollywood) p3 N 25 '36 Audience Suitability Ratings "[The love] affair, accompanied by heavyhanded symbolism, is portrayed solely on an animal plane. 'Bestiality' would be a far more descriptive title than 'Ecstasy.' Condemned." Nat Legion of Decency My 21 '36 Newspaper and Magazine Reviews "It is certainly not the artistic triumph its advance acclaim would lead one to believe. But, if the film has no distinction in its playing and dialogue, it is at least an amazingly frank and sensuous pictorial record of a sexual theme. Indeed, so daring are some of the scenes that one wonders how they ever passed our usually rigid censorship. . . Despite the picture's artistic ambitions, however, it remains no more than a plodding celluloid aphrodisiac. Still, in its occasional good moments 'Ecstasy' has a memorable quality that makes it worth your while to sit through the long and drab portions." (2 stars) Beverly Hills Liberty p58 S 5 '36 "It appears in what is termed 'an uncensored version' to prove that it has little merit as propaganda in the cause of lechery. . . Ponderously directed, given to the type of gingerbread symbolism Von Sternberg touted in 'The Salvation Hunters,' the story unreels as an arty trifle that will offend no one but those who object to bad acting and slipshod craftsmanship." Herb Sterne — Script plO Jl 25 '36 Trade Paper Reviews " 'Ecstasy' offers a distinct tonic to art theatres, a picture excellently cast, marvelously acted, superbly directed, exquisitely photographed. For run-of-mine houses, however, this Czechoslovakian entry is not suited. . . Customers seeking a picture tinged with the indelicate, if not actually lascivious, will for the most part be disappointed." + Phila Exhibitor p49 My 15 '36 ELLIS ISLAND. Invincible 65min N 5 '36 Cast: Donald Cook. Peggy Shannon. Jack DaRue. Joyce Compton Director: Phil Rosen Three immigrant bandits rob a bank of a million dollars and are sentenced to a ten year prison term. When they are released and about to be deported from Ellis Island they attempt to recover the funds which they had hidden but are hindered by a government agent. Trade Paper Reviews "Although 'Ellis Island' is restricted by release to the neighborhoods, it deserves far better fate, both because it offers more in production than the average picture of its ilk, and because it is amusing and exciting screen fare. It ranks favorably with the good class B output from the majors. . . Obviously hokem, and actually faulty by way of holes in the story EMPTY SADDLES. Universal 65min D 20 '36 Cast: Buck Jones. Louise Brooks. Harvey Clark Director: Lesley Selander Based on the novel of the same title by Cherry Wilson. A western melodrama. Audience Suitability Ratings "A somewhat unusual western story, packed with excitement, fast-paced dramatic action, mystery and superb riding. . . The natural scenic effects are of exceptionally high quality. Family." E Coast Preview Committee + Fox W Coast Bui N 21 '36 "General patronage." Nat Legion of Decency N 5 '36 "A, Y & C: fair Western." Parents' M p46 Ja '37 "Buck Jones handles a characteristic role in satisfactory fashion and the slight comedy and mild romance are well handled. Family." + Sel Motion Pict plO N 1 '36 Trade Paper Reviews "Several new angles and Buck Jones' usual capable performance as a hard-riding, squareshooting son of the saddle makes this an above par offering in the Western class. Family." + Box Office p27 O 24 '36 "This Buck Jones Western has some hard riding, shooting and some fistic encounters and it should prove satisfactory fare of its type. Buck looks great on his horse, 'Silver,' and he gives an all-round capable performance and his riding is outstanding. He strives hard to keep things interesting, but an involved story hinders him. The fact that there is no menace until late in the story retards the suspense until that time." H Film Daily p3 O 17 '36 "This Buck Jones Western must be 'set below par because of a rambling and cluttery story that is almost menaceless until the last reel or two and then, in the final chase and battle, is confusing and inconclusive. An earnest attempt has been made to give first aid with touches of comedy, but even this is not always effective and it leaves suspense at loose ends too often. Buck has a large and devoted following that will forgive much, but he must beware of departing too far from the basic pattern." — + Hollywood Reporter p3 O 14 '36 -\ Motion Pict Daily p7 O 19 '36 "With most of the punch at the end, Jones fans, however, should be satisfied." + Phila Exhibitor p36 N 1 '36 "With a good story, plenty of hard riding, an abundance of shooting and a picturesque mountain locale, 'Empty Saddles' comes out as a Western which is sure to appeal to the audiences that like gallopers. The yarn has plenty of suspense, numerous spooky situations, a good love theme and enough of the western touch to top a western dualer or fill out the action requirements of a mixed bill and leave the cash customers well satisfied." + Variety (Hollywood) p3 O 14 '36 -f+ Exceptionally Good; + Good; -| Fair; 1 Mediocre; — Poor; Exceptionally Poor