Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1936)

46 MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST FLYING HOSTESS— Continued "This is an average, but interesting picture, which tells of the training necessary to make hostesses acceptable to airplane executives. . . Family." H Sel Motion Pict p8 D 1 '36 "[It is] a light and breezy story. . . Some nice flying. Family." 4 Wkly Guide N 7 '36 Newspaper and Magazine Reviews " 'Flying Hostess,' is a competent, exciting tribute to the valor of the girls who quiet air passengers, treat their ills, serve meals to them. Judith Barrett, Universal's new star hope, is pretty and admirable in the title role. The picture pleased critics; will please audiences." + Lit Digest p23 N 28 '36 "It serves to introduce Ella Logan . . . whose flair for comedy and unsettled headgear is amusingly capitalized in the film. Hollywood's scrutiny of the flying hostess is undeniably romantic, but we suppose certain extravagances may be condoned in the presence of an agreeable and fairly exciting little melodrama." F. S. Nugent H NY Times p29 D 14 '36 "While it may not be a contribution of exceptional merit, it at least has the virtue of a thrilling and gripping climax which lifts it above the ordinary run of films of this genre. . . The film gets off to a lethargic and commonplace start. But once it reaches its climax . . . it will keep you on pins and needles with excitement." William Boehnel H NY World-Telegram pl9 D 14 '36 "[It] is a better-than-average program picture. [The] screen writers . . . have availed themselves of every opening for comedy, and their skilful treatment sends the story humming along at a merry clip. . . Miss Barrett has a lustrous loveliness, and although she is still ill at ease in her more casual scenes, she meets the dramatic demands of her role ably. . . But I save all my superlatives for Ella Logan. A comedienne of absolutely top abilities, an enchanting songstress, she will beyond any doubt be a Big Name in pictures." Molly Lewin + Script plO D 5 '36 Trade Paper Reviews "A sprightly aviation picture, which, although a bit formula as to story, is still acceptable entertainment and can hold its own as a topbracket dualer. Family." + Box Office p29 N 21 '36 "A pleasant comedy melodrama of the commercial air service that departs in one particular from the formula that is rapidly crystallizing into the classic pattern for flight plays. This departure engages a group of Universal's newly assembled young players and gives youthful verve and freshness to an otherwise conventional offering. With brisk dialogue writing and careful exposition of the flying work added, the whole sums up to a betterthan-average support piece for the duals." + Hollywood Reporter p3 N 2 '36 + Motion Pict Daily p9 N 4 '36 "It should please despite lack of strong names. Estimate: pleasing program." H Phila Exhibitor p53 N 15 '36 "[It] displays an amount of suspense and laughs that will satisfy the majority of audiences. . . Despite the fact airplane stories are hitting the screen right and left, 'Flying Hostess' hits a definitely new note in this field. The main thread of the story may be termed improbable, but the romance of flying, the educational background of air hostesses, and the showmanlike use of suspense in the film make the production an entertaining bit. Exhibitors won't go wrong on this one, but it must be spotted on a dual." + Variety (Hollywood) p3 N 2 '36 FOLLOW YOUR HEART. Republic 85min S 5 '36 Cast: Marion Talley. Michael Bartlett. Nigel Bruce. Luis Alberni. Henrietta Crosman Director: Aubrey Scotto Dances: Larry Ceballos Music: Victor Schertzinger See issue of September 28, 1936 for other reviews of this film Audience Suitability Ratings "A: good of kind; Y: good; C: little interest." Christian Century pl639 D 2 '36 "Family, but mature for children. Excellent." DAR + + Fox W Coast Bui O 17 '36 "In this operetta we have a light, romantic story, loosely knit, which gives the impression that with better direction or better editing it would have been provided with the balance and emphasis to make it dramatically effective. . . Michael Bartlett's previous screen experience shows in his fine acting and singing, to the unfortunate disadvantage of Marion Talley in her first screen effort. But in her songs she is her real self, fully satisfying." S. M. Mullen -j Motion Pict & Family p5 N 15 '36 "The story is neither original nor convincing. It is obviously designed to give Michael Bartlett and Marion Talley as many opportunities as possible to burst into song. Both sing well and are well recorded. Marion Talley' s speaking voice is, curiously enough, nearly as unpleasing to listen to as her singing voice is delightful. The supporting cast gives a good account of itself, and provides some amusing incidents, notably the hunt and the occasion when the whole troupe turns the cooking of the dinner into an operatic sequence. The settings are effective, and the song and dance numbers well staged. Suitability: family." E. P. + Mo Film Bui pl72 O '36 Newspaper and Magazine Reviews "Elaborate song and dance numbers, some good comedy and a patent film romance provide a picture which is entertaining if not outstanding. Adults & young people." + Christian Science Monitor pl7 O 31 '36 "It is unfortunate that the material for [Marion Talley' s] picture should be so wanting in coherence, grace and interest, and that the star herself was not more carefully coached in the art of acting, and not more deftly photographed. . . Miss Talley possesses for film recording a beautiful and exquisitely trained voice. . . In construction and treatment the film is a hodgepodge of bungled ideas, threadbare and dull in their conception and execution." Marguerite Tazelaar 1 N Y Herald Tribune pl8 O 22 '36 "Rouben Mamoulian, who directed Nino Martini in 'The Gay Desperado,' is not the only director to discover that an opera singer is often more acceptable when surrounded by comedians. Aubrey Scotto tried the same trick in 'Follow Your Heart.'. . The trick doesn't come off quite as well this time. It takes brilliant direction and a sparkling supporting cast for this stunt. 'Follow Your Heart' has neither. It doesn't, however, do badly with what it has. Miss Talley — although her performance is lifeless and heavy, photographs well. She speaks flatly, with a Middle West twang. But she sings delightfully. . . The musical numbers prove the brightest part of the film." Eileen Creelman H NY Sun p23 O 22 '36 "Republic's talentcrammed operetta, 'Follow Your Heart,' with Marion Talley and Michael Bartlett, both of operatic repute, in its cast, fails to be the first-class entertainment it was + + Exceptionally Good; -fGood; -| Fair; [-Mediocre; — Poor; Exceptionally Poor