Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1936)

MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST 47 designed to be. . . Grand opera seldom bothers to school its votaries in the dramatic arts, and mere voices, however glorious, cannot blind screen audiences to palpable weaknesses in the story framework of a photoplay. . . Aubrey Scotto's direction is too definitely aimed ■at one objective — music — and every one's efforts seem to be regimented toward setting the stage for the exercises of the operatic headliners. . . Miss Talley's operatic selections are excellently performed, especially her selection from 'Mignon,' but her speaking voice registers poorly on the sound track." J. T. M. H N Y Times p31 O 22 '36 "[It] must be registered among the current cinema season's weaklings. . . Miss Talley and Mr. Bartlett lift their golden voices deftly and charmingly in this aria and that and acquit themselves handsomely, as do the members of the supporting cast. . . But their efforts, however gallant, are unable to overcome a cumbersome script and some lethargic direction." William Boehnel 1 N Y World-Telegram p21 O 22 '36 "Marion Talley sings quite agreeably with Michael Bartlett in 'Follow Your Heart,' but I like to think of the film itself as just a preliminary experiment for the diva." John Mosher New Yorker p77 O 31 '36 Trade Paper Reviews "It's the most pretentious — and perhaps best — musical turned out by an independent studio, but is not up to the mark set by the best major efforts. Should do fair business. . . Michael Bartlett, who is co-starred should go places. He had a bit in a Grace Moore picture, 'Love Me Forever' and has done some other film work, but this is his best effort. . . Miss Talley doesn't photograph any too well. And the director hasn't managed to keep things any too well knit; scenes frequently run away and into each other. Miss Talley's voice records well and she has several good numbers to handle; a couple of operatic arias are intertwined with musical comedy songs pleasantly. . . Whether or not it gets business to compare with the major musical efforts, picture should prove to Republic that [spending money] for production and talent can pay: returns should be good enough for that, despite the film's faults." H Variety p!4 O 28 '36 FORBIDDEN HEAVEN. Republic 76min S 26 '35 Cast: Charles Farrell. Charlotte Henry Director: Reginald Bond Produced last year but just given general release. See issue of March 30, 1936 for other reviews of this film Newspaper and Magazine Reviews "[It is a] not too happy rewrite of the 'Seventh Heaven' theme." -1 Christian Science Monitor pl4 S 12 '36 Trade Paper Revieivs "This is a mildly absorbing drama. . . The action runs along amiably in fairly obvious channels, with nothing particularly novel in the development, but the yarn has a fairly good vein of human interest." 1 Film Daily p7 Ag 29 '36 "The independent producers haven't done right by Charles Farrell in 'Forbidden Heaven.' The story is too stodgy, slowly paced and miserably directed to serve as a come-back picture. Despite its countless flaws, it does show a more vigorous Farrell; one who reads his lines well and whose voice no longer looms as a handicap. . . The attempt to recall 'Seventh Heaven,' both in the title and some of the plot material, is obvious. . . Resemblance obviously was sought on the theory probably that if it clicked once, it might again in different garb. But it doesn't, and mainly because the punch situations are telegraphed home." — Variety pl6 S 9 '36 FOUR DAYS' WONDER. Universal Ja 10 '37 Cast: Jean Dante. Kenneth Howell. Martha Sleeper. Alan Mowbray Director: Sidney Salkow Based on a novel of the same title by A. A. Milne. "A young high school girl, addicted to detective stories, fancies herself capable of solving mysteries until a real one confronts her. Many innocent persons become involved before her aunt's death is proved to be an accident." (Nat Legion of Decency) Audience Suitability Ratings "A weak production interesting only to young people." Am Legion Auxiliary "The absurd antics of the two detectives offer an unpleasant contrast to the normal actions of the young people and turn an otherwise fair social drama into a mediocre farce. Adults & 14-18: poor; 8-14: no." Calif Cong of Par & Teachers "Evidently meant as a satire on mystery stories and for the purpose of launching a second Simone Simon, but failing utterly on both counts due to over and inept acting on the part of the cast and under directing on the part of the director. . . Staunch defenders of double bills may like this — the more discriminating audiences will be bored. Mature." Calif Fed of Business & Professional Women's Clubs "Mature-family. Mediocre." DAR "The story lacks coherence and the film is merely another program filler. Family." Nat Soc of New England Women "Mediocre." S Calif Council of Fed Church Women Fox W Coast Bui O 24 '36 "The ineffective handling of this Milne story, the lack of suspense, unreal situations and slapstick comedy makes the picture most unconvincing. Alan Mowbray does a fine piece of work as the conceited author but too much was exacted of the little newcomer, Jean Dante. Family-mature." h Gen Fed of Women's Clubs (W Coast) O 14 '36 "The quality of A. A. Milne's imagination is difficult to transfer to the screen. . . The actors are sufficiently successful in their interpretation of their roles, but the director has at times overstressed the action, losing the light touch required by the story. While no great heights of comedy are reached, the picture is agreeably entertaining. Adolescents, 1216: yes; children, 8-12: mature." H Motion Pict R p6 N '36 "Universal is to be complimented upon the way in which this whimsy is presented on the screen. Family & junior matinees." + Nat Council of Jewish Women O 14 '36 "General patronage." Nat Legion of Decency N 5 '36 "A. Y & C: fair." Parents' M p46 Ja '37 "The cast is well chosen, the members interpret their parts with great delicacy and understanding, and the direction indicates a keen appreciation of the story value. Adults & young people." + Sel Motion Pict plO N 1 '36 + + Exceptionally Good; + Good; -j Fair; \ Mediocre; — Poor; Exceptionally Poor