Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1936)

MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST 71 lated English titles, this feature ... is an outstanding photoplay that will delight American audiences. . [It] is easily the best screen entertainment that has come out of foreign studios in many a moon." + Film Daily pll S 24 '36 "This French production with complete dialogue titles in English (which titles were almost unnecessary, so universally do the actions of these sterling players convey their meaning in or without any language and so will the simplicity of the story and its brilliant unfolding likewise be universal in its clarity and appeal), comes to this country with the distinction of being the best film produced in France last year. . . Theaters with adult clientele can offer their patrons something refreshing and ribtickling with [this picture]. Feyder should be a favorite in Hollywood, once again on the strength of this production." + Hollywood Reporter p9 O 5 '36 "The comedy is broad, enthusiastically met by the cast, slyly risque but always tasteful. The dialogue is French but English subtitles make following the story a pleasure. The entire production is suitable domestically for sophisticated, adult, literate [audiences]." + Phila Exhibitor p37 N 1 '36 "This French comedy spectacle ... is tops for arty and foreign language houses. Only its length will militate against its showing in film theatres using two features. Even the handicap of being entirely in French and requiring English titles for the American audiences, fails to take away from its charm and thespian contributions. Story, direction, performances, photography and dialog are standout. . . In English, and with one or two box office names, this might well have taken its place in the procession of recently released American-produced costume plays." + Variety p29 S 30 '36 KILLER AT LARGE. Columbia 58min O 1 '36 Cast: Mary Brian. Russell Hardie. Betty Compson. George McKay. Henry Brandon Director: David Selman "The plot has to do with the apprehension of a murderer whose traces lie in the wax dummies he makes. Miss Brian, as the heroine detective, and her fiance, a department store clerk who is wrongly suspected of the murder, together attempt to catch the killer." N Y Herald Tribune Audience Suitability Ratings "A: hopeless; Y and C: harmless but poor." Christian Century pl478 N 4 '36 "The story offered material for a good mystery. The production lacks suspense and significance. Adults & young people." E Coast Preview Committee — Fox W Coast Bui O 24 '36 age. 'It is a rather dull mystery. General patronNat Legion of Decency O 15 '36 "A: rather far-fetched melodrama; Y: poor; C: unsuitable." Parents' M p46 Ja '37 'Adults & young people." Sel Motion Pict pll N 1 '36 Newspaper and Magazine Reviews "There is enough plot in 'Killer at Large' for three spook pictures. Curiously enough, for a run-of-the-mill production of this kind, the first half of it is exceptionally well done. The suspense is maintained with blood-curdling deliberation, the unique ideas are forcefully depicted and the swift, bizarre movement leaves the spectator fairly gasping with anticipation. Then the piece slithers off into a conventional, obvious and rather ludicrous tracking down of the killer." Marguerite H NY Herald Tribune plO O 26 '36 "[It] is a complete waste of time. . . It punctuates its stock plot with shrieking sirens, automobile chases, radio bulletins, comic detectives and bad dialogue. Every one tells every one else that Mr. Zero is abnormally cunning, but his actions would discredit an idiot, let alone a maniac. . . The players try hard, but 'Killer at Large' is a literary crime — almost a capital offense." F. S. Nugent NY Times p20 O 26 '36 "The new film ... is not a good one. . . Very often, when films as dull as 'Killer at Large' happen along, some of us cinema reviewers, in an effort to temper our wrath at their grievous offense, make a minor virtue of anemia by applying to them such kindly admonitory adjectives as 'unobtrusive.' Although 'Killer at Large' is unobtrusive, it is also aggressively commonplace in characterization, halting in movement and pedestrian in dialogue." William Boehnel — NY World-Telegram pl7 O 27 '36 Trade Paper Reviews "A few shriek-producing sequences and a thrilling chase climax reached up by a pleasing romantic story result in an above-average mystery programmer which makes satistfactory double-bill material. Family." + Box Office p51 N 14 '36 "It is fairly entertaining cinema fare for average fans who like a dash of the Frankenstein sort of thing in their diversion diets. . . Feature will stand double featuring okay and stand on own feet in all secondary spots." -| Film Daily pl3 O 27 '36 "Credibility is not the long suit of this story or adaptation, as is the case in pictures concerning abnormal criminals. . . Theaters with strong cross-roads transient trade, or those appealing to the tastes of the stronger sex, will do business with this one. The boys will have a good time, as silly as it is." -1 Hollywood Reporter p3 N 4 '36 -1 Motion Pict Daily p8 O 27 '36 "This chiller is replete with countless implausibilities. Because the picture is filled with so many incredible happenings and downright hokum, it would not make the grade on a single-feature set-up even if the vehicle boasted even medium-draw names. As is, the film will have to be sold as an unusual thriller because it does have exciting moments." h Variety pl5 O 28 '36 KING OF HOCKEY. Warner 56min D 19 '36 Cast: Dick Purcell. Anne Nagel. Marie Wilson. Wayne Morris Director: Noel Smith "Dick Purcell, the star hockey player, falls for Anne Nagel. Gamblers try to get him to throw games and when they send a $1,000 bill, it falls into the hands of his roommate and fellow player, Wayne Morris. Purcell returns the money, but when circumstances arise that make it look as if he is throwing the game, Wayne accuses him of accepting the gamblers' money and a fight ensues in which Purcell is injured." Film Daily Audience Suitability Ratings "Mildly entertaining for family." Am Legion Auxiliary "A wholesome atmosphere, advocation of clean sports and some interesting hockey playing. For the not too critical audiences. Family." Calif Cong of Par & Teachers "Family; mature for children. Mediocre." DAR + + Exceptionally Good; + Good; -\ Fair; \ Mediocre; —Poor; Exceptionally Poor