Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1936)

MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST 77 [and this] beats all the screaming brakes and hurtling roadsters of gangsterdom." + New Statesman & Nation p470 O 3 '36 " 'The Last of theMohicans,' which made his name for Fenimore Cooper, is a book in which both the characterization and the dialogue are somewhat na'ive. . . The adapters, however, have evidently felt the need for a heavy revision of the dialogue and have also changed the story considerably in an attempt to make it more attuned to adult ears. . . On the credit side also of this picture must be set some very good photography and the astonishing make-up of Bruce Cabot." Mark Forrest h Sat R p480 O 10 '36 Trade Paper Reviews "Not exactly pro-British in theme, [it] _ contains so much genuine entertainment value, and is so well produced, that the picture should be excellent box-office even in the most rabid pro-British countries. Press reviews in England itself have all been most favourable, the critics choosing to ignore the Yankee propaganda. . . For those who have read Cooper's novel and enjoyed it, as indeed nearly everyone who read it, did, the picture will be a great source of enjoyment, for it is one of those very rare phenomenas, a faithful adaptation." + Canadian Moving Pict Digest p6 O 3 '36 LAUGHING AT TROUBLE. 20th century-Fox 70min D 18 '36 Cast: Jane Darwell. Sara Haden. Lois Wilson. John Carradine Director: Frank R. Strayer "Jane Darwell, as the editor of the Lane County Courier, traps a murderer, helps a romance or two, and defeats the cause of the sheriff's heartless assistant." Fox W Coast Bui Audience Suitability Ratings "A good cast make this entertaining. Family." Am Legion Auxiliary "The picture is well produced, with well sustained suspense and noteworthy character portrayals by several members of the cast. Adults." Calif Cong of Par & Teachers "Inaccurate court procedure; unconvincing. Mature & 14-18. Mediocre." DAR "A complicated plot developed with the technique of earlier movies, with good comedy relief and a 'folksey' atmosphere. Certain incidents are open to criticism. Program film for mature audiences." Nat Soc of New England Women "Of high ethical value in exemplifying the true worth of warm interest in the rights of others, we commend this picture to the family." S Calif Council of Fed Church Women Fox W Coast Bui N 7 '36 "The direction is intelligent with the well chosen cast doing convincing work. Many shots are delightful in their portrayal of small town life with a nice blending of humor, pathos, and suspense. Adults & young people." + Gen Fed of Women's Clubs (W Coast) O 26 '36 "There is the old-fashioned villain, black mustache, bloodhounds and all, and the obvious but satisfactory denouement in which justice prevails. Unsophisticated audiences." Nat Council of Jewish Women O 28 '36 "Adults." Nat Legion of Decency D 10 '36 Sel Motion Pict p7 D 1 '36 Trade Paper Reviews Motion Pict Daily pll O 30 '36 "Estimate: mild, best for neighborhoods, twin bills." 1 Phila Exhibitor p31 D 1 '36 LEGION OF TERROR. Columbia 61min N 1 '36 Cast: Bruce Cabot. Crawford Weaver. Marguerite Churchill. Ward Bond Director: C. C. Coleman, Jr. "The hooded legion spreads like fire through a community when the editor of the town paper exerts pressure on the citizens. Two postal inspectors, working for the government, are instrumental in exposing and wiping out the band of terrorists." Nat Legion of Decency Audience Suitability Ratings "This topical expose^ of the mob spirit in America, as typified by the Black Legion, fails to excite the indignation such armed violence calls for and it emerges as only fair entertainment precisely because of its toothlessness. . . A grand opportunity has been lost to show up the degenerate viciousness, the childish cabalism, and menacing trend of these night-riding, hooded hoodlums. . . The violent nature of the story makes it unsuitable for any but adults." T. J. Fitzmorris -| America pl44 N 14 '36 "The story is a gripping one, carrying a significant undercurrent of thought and the individual and collective work of the players is good. Adults & young people." E Coast Preview Committee Fox W Coast Bui N 21 '36 "Adults." Nat Legion of Decency N 5 '36 "A: fair; Y: pretty strong; C: no." Parents' M p46 Ja '37 drama. . . The danger of leaders organizing honest citizens under the guise timely thought and well given it. Adults & young "[It is] a forceful a few unscrupulous and well meaning of patriotism is a worth the emphasis people." + Sel Motion P "Close enough to happened to give it Mature." + Wkly Guide O 31 '36 ict pll N 1 '36 things that have actually interest and importance. Newspaper and Magazine Reviews "Adults. The events of the picture do not give sufficient weight to the 'message' delivered at the end." Christian Science Monitor pl3 N 21 '36 "[It is] a so-so melodrama. . . The result is passingly fair. The story does not get far under the skin in picturing the curiously American weakness for wearing robes and riding anonymously at night, dispensing home-grown justice and injustice. There's a very real drama there — and it has been there since the clan rode for D. W. Griffith in 'The Birth of a Nation.' " (1% stars) Beverly Hills Liberty p44 N 28 '36 "Perhaps because it was too hastily done, and possibly, too, because of the difficulty in fitting so loathsome a topic into the formula of the Hollywood amourette, Columbia's exposition of Black Legion ... is just another melodrama, and a not too absorbing one either." J. T. M. 1 N Y Times p24 N 2 '36 "Such curious American phenomena as secret hooded organizations come in for unmasking in the sometimes terrifying but unbelievably gauche and artless melodrama. . . Although its crusading intentions are honorable and deserve endorsement, the manner in which the narrative is told is so spurious that it lacks conviction The result is a shambling and counterfeit offering." William Boehnel — NY World-Telegram pl3 N 3 '36 + -f Exceptionally Good; + Good; -\ Fair; \ Mediocre; — Poor; Exceptionally Poor