Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1936)

MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST 75 "Pyramiding a group of feminine names which have marquee significance, backed by fine sustaining cast and an alluring title, 'Ladies in Love' comes to the box office with initial momentum which insures substantial revenue. . . For the more discriminating audiences, and especially for women, it should score solidly." + Variety (Hollywood) p3 O 3 '36 LADY BE CAREFUL. Paramount 67min S 4 '36 Cast: Lew Ayres. Mary Carlisle. Benny Baker. Larry Crabbe. Grant Withers Director: Theodore Reed See issue of September 28, 1936 for other reviews of this film Audience Suitability Ratings "The story is slight and the film lighthearted. . . Lew Ayres as Dynamite acts well and the supporting cast is good. Suitability: family." + Mo Film Bui pl52 S 30 '36 "Fair. Adults & young adults." H Motion Pict Guide D '36 "The picture carefully eliminates the questionable elements of the original play but it is doubtful if the effort was worth while. Adolescents, 12-16: not objectionable; children, 8-12: too mature." 1 Motion Pict R p6 S '36 "A: inane but unobjectionable; T: doubtful; C: no." Parents' M p44 N '36 Newspaper and Magazine Reviews "Adults." Christian Science Monitor O 3 '36 "Since it was the Rabelaisian flavor of 'Sailor Beware' that made it so funny, the screen's attempt not to offend anybody leaves it a lukewarm truffle, or sc it seemed to your mirthless reporter yesterday, surrounded by guffawing companions. . . Mrs. Parker's wit is felt too seldom in the piece, the lines of which are rollicking enough, but not up to her quality. Mr. Reed has directed the picture ably, keeping it going at a fast pace. And, while the performance is all right, it is not nearly the scintillating, vigorous, disorderly thing it was on the stage." Marguerite Tazelaar H NY Herald Tribune plO O 10 '36 "That superbly efficient wet-wash technique of the Hollywood laundries, which consists half the time in removing not only the dirt but the shirt as well, has been applied in the case of 'Lady, Be Careful' by some of the most highly paid spot removers on the Paramount staff. . . Early scenes, raor: bogus than musical comedy, have been inserted to lend color and the dialogue has been changed from pungent, spicy, authentic navy to something inexcusable, and with scarcely a saving ounce of the Parker vitriol to justify the change." B. R. C. — NY Times p21 O 10 '36 "Since most of the boisterous, rowdy fun has been deleted from the original, the screen version of 'Sailor Beware,' is no great shakes as entertainment. . . The result is a film that is funny now and then, but one that is unadroit and spotty." William Boehnel r N Y World-Telegram p6a O 10 '36 Reviewed by John Mosher New Yorker p95 O 17 '36 "Dot Parker, Alan Campbell and Harry Ruskin have studiously knocked the sex out of the Navy. They've managed to keep most of the humor intact ... a difficult adaptation job well done. . . Verve and understanding of Reed's direction bring the farcical figures to life, and he's aided and abetted by a screen play that's genuinely first rate. * . . Program entertainment 'way above average." Herb Sterne + Script pl3 S 26 '36 Trade Paper Reviews "They've done, necessarily, a lot of trimming of business and dialogue in the Broadway stage success, 'Sailor Beware.' . . Pretty weak stuff, and only the good acting of the principals, and some neat comedy business saves the production from flopping entirely. However, it is the type of material about sailor lads that the popular crowds go for, and in theaters where the rough and tumble stuff is in demand, it should go well enough." h Film Daily p7 O 10 '36 "Story depends for its laughs on the lines and incidental business, rather than on plot action, though there are a couple of good bits in the direct line. Treatment, however suggests that the script writers were under wraps. There is a lack of fluidity to the movement of the story, and a little too much emphasis on the character of the girl. YvTith a little more swing, this might have been an outstander. As is, it packs a respectable number of laughs, pretty evenly spaced, but lacks solidity and punch. Should do best on duals, but can front on them." H Variety pl5 O 14 '36 LADY FROM NOWHERE. Columbia 60min N 21 '36 Cast: Mary Astor. Charles Quigley. Norman Willis Director: Gordon Wiles The only witness to a gang murder fearing for her life escapes to a small town where she falls in love with a school teacher who helps her hide and rescues her when the gang finds her hiding place. Audience Suitability Ratings "Adults." Nat Legion of Decency N 26 '36 "The plot moves rapidly and the direction is spirited and smooth. Adults & young people." + Sel Motion Pict plO D 1 '36 Trade Paper Reviews "A good programmer, best suited for smaller towns and neighborhoods. Mary Astor and Charles Quigley carry creditably the unpretentious story. Familv. " -I Box Office p23 N 28 '36 "With Mary Astor a more prominent name, 'Lady From Nowhere' should prove pleasing. . . Estimate: okey program." H Phila Exhibitor p30 D 1 '36 LADY LUCK. Chesterfield 62min Jl 6 '36 Cast: William Bakewell. Patricia Farr. Duncan Renaldo Director: Charles Lamont This is the story of a manicurist who is supposed to be the winner of a $150,000 sweepstakes ticket and of the complications which arise when the real winner is found. Audience Suitability Ratings "[It is] a dull tale. Adults." — Nat Legion of Decency Ag 6 '36 Newspaper and Magazine Reviews "[It is an] undistinguished murder mystery. Adults." 1 Christian Science Monitor pl5 O 24 '36 Trade Paper Reviews "[It is a] mildly entertaining run-of-the-mill story suitable for the secondary locations." r Film Daily p7 S 14 '36 + + Exceptionally Good; + Good; -\ Fair; — + Mediocre; —Poor; Exceptionally Poor