Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1936)

52 MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST GAY DESPERADO — Continued "Rouben Mamoulian, usually absorbed in more serious subjects, has indulged in some charmingly frivolous satire at the expense, for the most part, of gangster films. Far from an underworld melodrama, this should prove the picture that laughs those high-powered thrillers out of existence. 'The Gay Desperado,' although a musical and, more, a musical with a fine score and an operatic star, is sheer fun. . . Even without the music, it would be entertaining." Eileen Creelman + NY Sun p39 O 9 '36 "While mankind in general has been fretting about the proper means of disposing of used razor blades, Hollywood has been going quietly insane trying to decide what to do with its operatic tenors. We think 'The Gay Desperado' has solved the problem. . . If the vocal Mr. Martini is forced into the background, it has been in the best of causes. Even an operatic tenor must be content with second place when a first-rate musical comedy is in the making. And 'The Gay Desperado' is truly that." F. S. Nugent + + N Y Times p31 O 9 '36 "Although I won't swear that 'The Gay Desperado' is the best musical film of the season, it comes pretty close to it. . . [It] is an excellent blending of all the musical comedy arts — the arts of writing no less than those of singing, direction, acting, composing and photography. . . It is possible to say without fear of contradiction that here is a musical that is a honey, a witty, humorous, tuneful riddling lampoon that is worth anybody's money at the box office. " William Boehnel + NY World-Telegram p35 O 9 '36 "When not busy with God, Miss Mary Pickford seems inclined to turn out quite trim and bright little comedies. . . Now it is Nino Martini who is presented, along with Ida Lupino and Leo Carrillo, the three of them appearing to advantage in some successful nonsense about Mexican bandits, American gangsters, young love, and the like. . . Light comedy has always been a hard hurdle for American films to take, but in this case I should say that Miss Pickford and all her colleagues have just bounded over." John Mosher + New Yorker p90 O 10 '36 " 'The Gay Desperado' presents an interesting thesis: Mexican bandits, normally the best of hail fellows, become unnaturally evil under two sets of circumstances — (1) when exposed to the subversive influence of Hollywood's gangster films, (2) when music is eliminated from their diet. . . Martini receives a dozen chances to sing, and he does it so well that his radio and opera fans will find it easy to forget about his acting." News-Wk p30 O 10 '36 "Too bad Mary and Jesse have given up their partnership. First they knock us over with 'One Rainy Afternoon' and now they simply panic us with the most hilarious comedy of the year. Such laughter I've never heard at a preview. And applause for pictorial beauty and gorgeous singing. . . Leo Birinski has written an original story that justifies the word. . . [It is] a picture that simply burbles in every line and action. . . Lucien Andriot's photography stopped the show. It is as beautiful as Eisenstein's 'Thunder over Mexico.' . . Do I rave? Well, wait until you see this show! I shall go again and again." Rob Wagner + + Script plO N 7 '36 " "The Gay Desperado' is described as a melodrama set to music. It's so much more than that we hardly know where to begin. It is a burlesque, just delicate enough, of everything from kidnapping and firing squads to James Cagney and law enforcement. . . Leo Carrillo, Nino Martini, and Ida Lupino gesticulate in immaculate farcical fashion, welding a series of cinema anecdotes into an hilarious whole. . . Director Rouben Mamoulian does the most enchanting things with music and shadows and laughter. Don't let 'us keep you here any longer. There's gaiety this night." + + Stage pl4 N '36 "[It] is that extraordinary rarity, a musical comedy which is both musical and comic. It almost infringes upon Hollywood's iron law that all singing pictures must be about singers and it makes the demise of the partnership between Mary Pickford and Jesse Lasky — which started with 'One Rainy Afternoon' and ended last month — seem definitely regrettable. . . 'The Gay Desperado' should supply a working model for future efforts in its genre." + Time p66 O 19 '36 Trade Paper Reviews "Here is undoubtedly one of the finest musical comedies of any year. It is a classic example in the field of light comedy, superbly directed, and replete with a subtle brand of humor. Family." -f Box Office p31 O 10 '36 "Mary Pickford and Jesse L. Lasky tapped a novel source for the material used in this production. In having Leo Carrillo and his gang of gay desperadoes emulate the American gangsters, they present a rollicking laughloaded comedy that is grand entertainment every foot of the way. It is the kind of show that should play to big box-office returns in every type of theater from the very top to the bottom. On its comedy merits alone, this burlesque and satire on the American gangster could go it alone." + Fiim Daily p3 O 3 '36 "This fresh and deliriously funny satiric farce is one of the best comedies of the year, and the most original. Second, and said to be the last, production of the Pickford-Lasky partnership, it is bound to reawaken deep regret that the rich vein of class entertainment tapped by this combination will not be further explored by them. 'The Gay Desperado' is headed for good grosses everywhere." + Hollywood Reporter p3 S 30 '36 + Motion Pict Daily p3 O 3 '36 "This is a grand mixture of comedy, music that should not only please in class sectors, but, thanks to Leo Carrillo, Martini's voice, that should do okey in other spots. Estimate: high rating." + Phila Exhibitor p40 O 15 '36 "This Nino Martini mesquiteer is a fairly diverting Mexican Western. If regarded in carefree light, 'The Gay Desperado' may be termed not particularly desperate. It'll do spotty trade, depending on locale. It's more musical comedy than grand opera, or even operetta, which may be the major hurdle foi those attracted by the Martini marquee values.'' H Variety pl5 O 14 '36 "What irony that Mary Pickford and Jesse L. Lasky should say farewell as a production unit with 'The Gay Desperado,' a picture which assuredly is one of the finest of the year in artistry and sure-fire entertainment values and a smash money entry. Romantic, entrancingly melodic, loaded with humor in sparkling line and warm, tingling farcical situation and excitingly unfolded, it should take the box office by that word-of-mouth which always discovers and supports a sound piece of popular entertainment." + Variety (Hollywood) p3 S 30 '36 GENERAL DIED AT DAWN. Paramount 95min S 4 '36 Cast: Gary Cooper. Madeleine Carroll. Akim Tamiroff. Dudley Digges. Porter Hall. William Frawley. J. M. Kerrigan Director: Lewis Milestone See issue of September 28, 1936 for other reviews of this film + + Exceptionally Good; + Good; -\ Fair; [-Mediocre; — Poor; Exceptionally Poor