Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1936)

MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST 45 "Having all the earmarks of technical proficiency, the new film moves smoothly, but the smoothness is not the result of a well-knit and interesting story. For this, credit is due its director, Allan Dwan, and the anonymous individual who supervised the film's cutting. . . Lloyd Nolan, who is capable of better things, is sadly wasted in a minor role as a sergeant of detectives in the diamond district." T. M. P. N Y Times p21 O 17 '36 "Small excuse can be found for the socalled melodrama, '15 Maiden Lane.' . . Films like this are thrown together rather than produced, and although their offense is usually grievous and calls for harsh methods, they really aren't worth the effort. Not to be attended by movie-goers who have something better to do, the best way to deal with '15 Maiden Lane' is to dismiss it with a gentle little spank of impatience and a wish that in the future, Hollywood impresarios will remedy their ways and realize that idle actors had better remain idle than be used in bogus, inefficient and shambling stories like this one." William Boehnel NY World-Telegram pl9 O 20 '36 "A crook film with many of the expected ingredients, but sufficiently different in development to hold interest on a double bill. . . There is every indication that the programmer couldn't have been placed in more capable hands than those of producer Sol Wurtzel and director Allan Dwan. Dwan was* responsible for many of the hectic epics made during the early screen career of the senior Fairbanks and he still has the knack of making hokem ingratiating. . . Douglas Fowley is convincing as the go-between for the insurance company and the racketeers. A sturdy style and a clipped manner give this Fowley fella impact. . . Claire Trevor is improving, and while one can still manage to restrain emotional outbursts as to her Thespian talents, it must be admitted that [she] has never looked lovelier." Herb Sterne -| Script plO N 28 '36 Trade Paper Reviews "Packed with excitement and implausibility, '15 Maiden Lane' is a smoothly finished product which will be welcomed by audiences that are just a little bit tired of heavy, emotional dramas. Family." + Box Office p31 O 10 '36 "Here is a highly satisfying program picture. Much credit is due Allan Dwan for keeping the action moving fast and not overlooking the lighter moments. Cesar Romero gives an excellent performance as a suave jewel thief who is also a ruthless killer." + Film Daily plO S 29 '36 + Motion Pict Daily p2 S 26 '36 "Estimate: for neighborhoods, twin bills." H Phila Exhibitor p37 O 15 '36 "Unpretentious little crook opus, threading through familiar lanes with a bit of new scenery here and there. For the duals, and evidently so intended." h Variety pl5 O 14 '36 "Exploiting comparatively fresh phase of jewel banditry by focusing on alliance between thieves and apparently reliable dealers, '15 Maiden Lane' offers moderately exciting, suspenseful and neatly turned out melodrama, good for its share of entertainment and returns on general run of duals." -1 Variety (Hollywood) p3 S 25 '36 FLYING DOCTOR. National -Gaumont British 87min Cast: Charles Farrell. Mary Maguire. James Raglan. Margaret Vyner. Joe Valli Director: Miles Mander Dialogue film made in Sidney, Australia. This film depicts the epic work done in saving lives by the Australian Flying Medical Association. Trade Paper Reviews Canadian Moving Pict Digest pl3 N 14 '36 " 'The Flying Doctor' does not fly quite so wide, high and handsome as expected, but nevertheless has its fine moments, rating between a special and a stock programmer. It suffers from the common Australian complaint of a choppy story and patchy interest. . . Farrell gives one of his most attractive performances as the 'sun-downer' or hobo. . . His acting is smooth, natural, boyish, his voice strangely without the American accent to which we have become accustomed." f Hollywood Reporter p3 O 20 '36 -j Motion Pict Daily pll N 5 '36 "With experts sent down [to Australia] by Gaumont-British to assist in production, it was expected that a good job would be done. And with such a star as Charles Farrell it looked as though an Australian production could break into the American field. But take Farrell out and the whole picture, with the exception of Joe Valli, would go floppo insofar as cast is concerned. If this picture does break into the American market the best that can be hoped for it is on the double-decker time, and chances are that American buyers will nix the film even for that. . . As it stands now the picture just rambles from point to point without very much meaning, and the real interest does not begin until the picture reaches its final climax." — Variety p23 O 21 '36 FLYING HOSTESS. Universal 65min N 22 '36 Cast: William Gargan. Judith Barrett. William Hall. Astrid Allwyn. Andy Devine. Ella Logan Director: Murray Roth Based on the novel Sky Fever by George Sayre. The tale of three trained nurses who become air hostesses. One of them, turned down because she fainted at her first hospital operation, disguises herself and makes a 5000 foot delayed parachute jump. She wins the love of two pilots and after numerous complications, chooses one. Audience Suitability Ratings "[It] is pleasantly sprinkled with romance*, and moments of real excitement." T. J. Fitzmorris + America pl92 N 28 '36 "Modern and breezy entertainment. . . This, [is an] interesting film. Family." Am Legion. Auxiliary "The picture is tense and exciting with goodcomedy relief. Excellent acting on the part of William Gargan and Judith Barrett. Adults & young people." Calif Cong of Par & Teachers "Interesting because of subject. Family." Calif Fed of Business & Professional Women's. Clubs "The scenes in which [the hostess] takes thecontrols, and guided by an unseen hand at thehome port, brings her fog-bound plane to a. safe landing, is sure to capture the interest of any audience. Family." S Calif Council of Fed Church Women Fox W Coast Bui N 14 '36 "Stimulating, exciting, dramatic and intensely interesting is this picture in which we are given an excellent insight into the rigid training given to 'flying hostesses.' . . [It is] high in entertainment value and of universal appeal. Family." + Gen Fed of Women's Clubs (W Coast) N 2 '36 "Family." H Nat Council of Jewish Women N 3 '36 + + Exceptionally Good; + Good; -) Fair; \ Mediocre; —Poor; Exceptionally Poor