Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1936)

MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST 63 "Family, but mature for children. Good." DAR "The film is filled with vulgar slapstick and music which is an assault to one's ears. A romantic little song agreeably sung by Shirley Ross and interesting photography are not enough to save this worthless picture. Adults, if any." Nat Soc of New England Women "All attempts at dignity in the picture are defeated by crude, blatant, slapstick comedy on the part of the newly featured radio artist, Martba Raye, and the overemphasized drinking scenes reduce the ethical and social values to almost nil. Adults." S Calif Council of Fed Church Women Fox W Coast Bui N 21 '36 "Though swiftly paced and well staged, the picture is unwortny of the ability of the attractive young leads and offers little in the 'way of entertainment. Entirely too much drinking." 1 Gen Fed of Women's Clubs (W Coast) N 10 '36 "This is a pleasing musical comedy which gives ample opportunity for the exploitation of Martha Raye and her particular type of humor and songs. . . Clever stagecraft, good photography, capable direction and pleasing music. Excessive drinking. Family." + Nat Council of Jewish Women N 11 '36 "Objectionable in part." Nat Legion of Decency N 19 '36 Sel Motion Pict p6 D 1 '36 Newspaper and Magazine Reviews "A pleasant, nicely mounted and well directed offering which will do much to increase the popularity of two young players destined to accumulate large armies of fans. Shirley Ross and Robert Cummings are suited admirably to play the two sides of a romance. . . Martha Raye [is] heavily exploited as a headliner in 'Hideaway Girl.' In her drunken scene in 'Rhythm on the Range,' Martha revealed a flash of comedy genius, just an intimation of something which is susceptible of development. In 'Hideaway Girl' she manages to be only an irritating element, shouting songs in an unmusical, harsh voice, working her generous mouth into grotesque shapes and disporting herself generally in a manner inconsistent with the moods of the scenes in which she appears. . . This one could have been a thoroughly satisfactory piece of screen entertainment if it had not been mutilated to force Martha Raye on the public." H Hollywood Spec pl6 X 21 '36 Trade Paper Reviews "Mediocre musical mystery — with Martha Raye cast in a role which limits her abilities. Family." ■ 1 Box Office p51 N 14 '36 "A slim but moderately entertaining farcecomedy-melodrama that is given pulmotor treatment with songs sung by Shirley Ross and Martha Raye. The music, which is new, helps considerably, for neither the comedy, the romance nor the melodrama elements are strong enough to stand alone. With all four rather adroitly mixed the combination 'makes acceptable class B fare. . . The picture is George Arthur's first supervisory assignment and, under Producer A. M. Botsford, he has made the most of what was evidently pretty tough going." -| Hollywood Reporter p3 N 7 '36 H Motion Pict Daily pl4 N 10 '36 "Modern programmer best for twin bill requirements unless the presence of Shirley Ross and Martha Raye help. 'Hideaway Girl' is just so-so." h Phila Exhibitor p52 N 15 '36 "Strictly B class production in every proportion, mediocre in essential entertainment and having no established names to pull it through the bog, 'Hideaway Girl' will have to fight for place in the lesser duals. [The] screen play is banal, the dialog generally trite and effort to sustain suspense labored, with direction by George Archainbaud lacking the zest and assurance to cover the defects." H Variety (Hollywood) p3 N 7 '36 HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD. Paramount 75min Ag 21 '36 Cast: John Halliday. Marsha Hunt. Robert Cummings. C. Henry Gordon. Esther Ralston. Esther Dale. Frieda Inescort Director: Robert Florey See issue of September 28, 1936 for other reviews of this film Audience Suitability Ratings "An older generation of movie-goers, which is afflicted by nostalgic pangs at the mere mention of a faded star, may find this film of absorbing interest. . . Although I am not unduly sentimental, I find this wholesale rattling of bones and parading of Hollywood casualties not an exhilarating spectacle. . . The tale is rather depressing in the main. John Halliday has the lead and does admirably by it. This is also for the adult list." T. J. Fitzmorris h America p576 S 19 '36 "A: trash; Y & C: no." Christian Century pl438 O 28 '36 "The tone of the film is uncertain. It sets out lightheartedly and then suddenly becomes heavily moral and obsessed with the unpleasantness of Hollywood life. . . Hollywood comes in for some nasty cracks on the score of callousness. Suitability: adults & adolescents." Mo Film Bui pl52 S 30 '36 "Those who read the film fan magazines might care for this. Adolescents, 12-16 & children, 8-12: no." Motion Pict R p6 O '36 "A, Y and C: fairly interesting." Parents' M p42 N '36 Newspaper and Magazine Reviews "This picture, like its main character, is the rather dull decline of a very minor comet. Adults." — Christian Science Monitor pl3 S 26 '36 "The germ of an absorbing human-interest story lies behind 'Hollywood Boulevard,' no doubt, but as presented currently it has failed to jell. . . It results in entertainment that is often lurid, dull at times, and painfully average throughout for the intelligent observer. . . As for the picture itself — shallow character drawing, the cheap, plotty, hackneyed story, the obvious cliches and the hasty treatment make it mediocre." Marguerite Tazelaar h N Y Heraid Tribune plO S 21 '36 "[It is a] sorry combination of cynicism and maudlinism. . . It is a pretty hoary melodrama and slight enough excuse for a whole series of homilies upon the uncertainty of fame and fortune in the glamour city. And we felt pathetically embarrassed for the former stars and featured players. . . Hollywood, having neglected them all these years, at least should have had the decency and good taste not to make them parade tnemselves as Exhibits A, B. and C of the Forgotten Men and Women of filmdom. 'Hollywood Boulevard' is hardly a sporting gesture." F. S. Nugent — NY Times p26 S 21 '36 "A competent performance by that splendid actor, John Halliday ... is the chief blessing of 'Hollywood Boulevard,' the tedious and blundering little rattletrap about a passe Hollywood star. . . Mr. Halliday uses every trick he knows to keep the film believable and bearable . . . but the two romantic leads, Robert Cummings and Marsha Hunt, are played as incompetently as the film is written and directed." William Boehnel H N Y World-Telegram pl6 S 21 '36 + + Exceptionally Good; -[-Good; -) Fair; (-Mediocre; Poor; Exceptionally Poor