Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1936)

48 MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST FUGITIVE IN THE SKY. Warner 58min N 28 '36 Cast: Jean Muir. Warren Hull. Gordon Oliver. Carlyle Moore, Jr. Director: Nick Grinde The story deals with the journey of a transcontinental airplane whose passengers include a G-man, a desperate public enemy, a reporter and some bond thieves. Audience Suitability Ratings "The production values are far better than the vehicle they served. A matter of taste for adults." Calif Cong of Par & Teachers "There is plenty of excitement, but lack of originality in plot or treatment prevents it from being anything more than a filler on a double bill. Disappointing. Mature." Calif Fed of Business & Professional Women's Clubs "Mediocre. Mature & 14-18. DAR "Family, exclusive of young children." Nat Soc of New England Women "Unusually realistic scenes and acting by a well chosen cast in capable directorial hands provides entertaining and highly exciting picture. Family." S Calif Council of Fed Church Women Fox W Coast Bui O 31 '36 "The picture, replete with suspense relieved by timely comedy, is satisfactorily cast and directed, meriting special mention for its photography, lighting, sound and scenic effects." + Gen Fed of Women's Clubs (W Coast) O 17 '36 "The sequence showing the plane fighting its way through a dust storm is thrilling and beautifully photographed. Unfortunately the story does not live up to its setting, as there are too many characters, and the plot is involved and illogical. The actors are capable if not outstanding. Adolescents, 12-16: no; children, 8-12: no." H Motion Pict R p6 N '36 "Because of its maintained suspense and uncertainty, this picture is entertaining. Adults." + Nat Council of Jewish Women O 21 '36 "A: average thriller; Y & C: unsuitable." Parents' M p46 Ja '37 "Suspenseful, but inexpertly produced. Mature." — + Sel Motion Pict p6 N 1 '36 Trade Paper Reviews "This film adds a title to the long list of average mystery thrillers. While it has none of the stock elements of chill-producing horror, the picture gets by on its able direction and sincere acting. Family." + — Box Office p31 O 31 '36 "Although its story isn't new and its action isn't hair lifting, 'Fugitive in the Sky' is so convincingly and lightly handled by capable performers that it is certain to appeal in the secondaries, for which type of billing it was ostensibly budgeted. George Bricker's original story of the gangster rampant in a transcontinental airliner is fast becoming American folklore, but his treatment skilfully makes use of every entertainment value and maintains interest from start to finish." H Hollywood Reporter p3 O 23 '36 -| Motion Pict Daily pl2 O 26 '36 "The old familiar story of the reporter, the G-man, the stewardess, the gangster — in the transcontinental plane — has been repeated here with results seemingly best for twin bills. The story has been done before so many times that it will seem too familiar. Estimate: for neighborhoods, twin bills." — + Phila Exhibitor p37 N 1 '36 "Warners has churned out just an average [mystery story] in 'Fugitive in the Sky.' Film is another of those things aimed at the class B audience and is obviously set for second billing on double bills. It's another run-of-the-mill story with nothing new to offer the picture public. Yarn is practically a duplicate of the story released by another major studio some months ago which in its original form wasn't so hot. Only difference is Warners' scenario genius concocted the substitution of a dust storm for a snow storm." h Variety (Hollywood) p3 O 23 '36 GARDEN OF ALLAH. United artists 80min N 20 '36 Cast: Marlene Dietrich. Charles Boyer. Tilly Losch. Basil Rathbone. Joseph Schildkraut. John Carradine. C. Aubrey Smith Director: Richard Boleslawski Music: Max Steiner Based on the novel and play of the same title by Robert Hichens. Filmed in technicolor. This is the third version of the film produced. It is the tale of a self-tortured Trappist monk who breaks his final vows and escapes to the desert where he falls desperately in love with a woman who too has gone to the desert to find peace. Torn by love and his awakened sense of religion, he leaves the woman to return once again to his celibate's cell. Audience Suitability Ratings "This is, unquestionably, the finest thing yet done in technicolored films and one of the most impressive offerings, all around, of a prodigal season. . . In previous versions, the motivation of the runaway monk was a bit cloudy, obscured by an undue emphasis on the sensational, but under Mr. Boyer' s superb treatment his breach of conduct becomes understandable without losing its enormity. . . His sincerity and the violence of his inner struggle make the monk truly tragic rather than sordid and the final renunciation is both logical and emotionally satisfying. . . Boyer, in an exacting role, is at his best since 'La Bataille' and Marlene Dietrich plays with beautiful sincerity. The film is far beyond young audiences but it can be recommended to adults as screen fare of the first importance." T. J. Fitzmorris + + America pl92 N 28 '36 "A: novel; Y: doubtful; C: no." Christian Century pl670 D 9 '36 "Well worth seeing for its beauty alone, with its gorgeous scenery, coloring and lighting, this picture is highly entertaining. . . A beautiful love story, dramatically told. Adults & young people." Am Legion Auxiliary "The production qualities are so fine, the desert scenes so magnificent, and the color so exquisite, that it affords an hour of rare pleasure, even though the theme of the story is remote from modern sympathies. Adults: excellent; 14 & 18: mature; 8-14: no." Calif Cong of Par & Teachers "[It] is artistically a triumph, but dramatically it has not the same successful appeal. . . Charles Boyer manifests a fine understanding of the role, but Marlene Dietrich is a bit too emotionally restrained to make the character seem real or alive. Joseph Schildkraut adds the only joyous note and it is very welcome. Disappointing. Mature." Calif Fed of Business & Professional Women's Clubs "Rarely effective technicolor desert scenes, artistic direction, the cameo-like beauty of M. Dietrich, and the exceptionally fine characterization of C. Boyer make this drama . . . unforgetable. Mature & 14-18. Excellent." DAR + + Exceptionally Good; + Good; + — Fair; \ Mediocre; —Poor; Exceptionally Poor