Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1936)

96 MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST MORE THAN A SECRETARY — Continued) Newspaper and Magazine Reviews "The many flaws in [it] can be blamed squarely on the half dozen or so authors who have had a stir at the broth. The new photoplay ... is a comic trifle with far too few funny moments. The squad of writers has elected to embellish [the] old theme . . . but has neglected to enliven it with amusing characterizations or humorous incidental nonsense. There are occasional ribald lines . . . but on the whole it is a production that is definitely on the dull side. Even the assured and attractive Jean Arthur flounders through several of the sequences. . . George Brent, as the editor, is buffeted about by the random situations." Howard Barnes — NY Herald Tribune p30 D 11 '36 " 'More than a Secretary,' an artificial comedy with a synthetic plot, doesn't stand up too well. . . Cast and direction were up to standard, almost up to the standards of the Music Hall where the picture is now on view. The story just wasn't worth all the effort it took to unfold. . . [It] combines the features of a good many old pictures. . . This is one of those films so difficult to review. There is little to say except that it is just another light little movie, an inconsequential story well told, not unamusing if you happen to chance upon it, certainly worth no effort to see." Eileen Creelman H NY Sun p43 D 11 '36 "[It is] a trifling frippery in which Jean Arthur and Dorothea Kent engage in a meatless struggle for the love of a vegetarian publisher, Mr. George Brent. Just why Mr. Brent, as editor of Body and Brain, should be regarded as a trophy worth winning is a question whose solution, at the moment, eludes us. . . Maizie, brightly played by blonde Dorothea Kent, is a redeeming feature. . . If 'More Than a Secretary' had given us more of Maizie and less of the dull business between Mr. Brent and Miss Arthur it would have been a happier farce. But it did not, and as a comedy it rings hollow wherever it is tapped." F. S. Nugent 1 N Y Times p35 D 11 '36 "If you were to take all the 'church mouse' stories . . . add a few quips about love and physical culture fadists, and mix them all flagrantly together, you would arrive at something approximately like 'More Than a Secretary' the rather pedestrian film of undistinguished quality now on view. . . The role of the church mouse secretary is intrusted to lovely Jean Arthur, who plays the part with considerable freshness, spontaneity and zest. . . But the really fine performances in the film are contributed by the dependable Lionel Stander as the editor's physical culture mentor and by Dorothea Kent, who is superb as the blond cutie who causes all the complications." William Boehnel h N Y World-Telegram p27 D 11 '36 Trade Paper Reviews "Columbia adds still another notch to its high comedy score with this smart farcical comedy satirizing health fads in general and the publishing of health magazines in particular. It is unremittingly amusing nonsense, with a few sharp barbs of truth-telling added to give it kick. . . It makes a box office asset that can be sold at a profit through the full range of houses. . . The five-ply writing crew has delivered a rattling piece of playfulness that bristles with good lines and fetching turns. . . It is a perfect part for Miss Arthur and she well earns her stardom. Brent is required to be something of a sap but he does it with such engaging ease and mock seriousness as to score smartly." + Hollywood Reporter p3 D 1 '36 -f Motion Pict Daily pl7 D 2 '36 "With pithy dialog and a novel presentation of the boss-secretary theme handled in a light and bubbling manner by able performers, 'More Than a Secretary' emerges as better-than-average entertainment. . . While some of the dialog in the screen play is sometimes suggestive, it nevertheless drew heavy laughs from preview audience. On the whole dialog sparkles and is keenly fitted to each character." + Variety (Hollywood) p3 D 1 '36 MURDER WITH PICTURES. Paramount 75min S 18 '36 Cast: Lew Ayres. Gail Patrick. Paul Kelly. Benny Baker Director: Charles Barton See issue of September 28, 1936 for other reviews of this film Audience Suitability Ratings "A: mediocre; Y: hardly; C: no." Christian Century pl406 O 21 '36 "Interesting for adults." Am Legion Auxiliary "The action is complicated and confusing, the direction poor. Adults & 14-18: mediocre; 8-14: no." Calif Cong of Par & Teachers "A mystery yarn which, despite some good comedy dialogue, is a very unsatisfying and confusing picture. Mature. Ratings: very confusing." Calif Fed of Business & Professional Women's Clubs "Good. Mature & 14-18." DAR "The suspense builds to a breath-taking climax, the camera work is fine and the production will satisfy those who enjoy following a mystery theme. Adults & young people." E Coast Preview Committee "An average program filler for adults and young people who dote on mystery stories." Nat Soc of New England Women "Adults." S Calif Council of Fed Church Women "A few unusual and interesting quirks in the plot make this otherwise routine murder mystery fairly entertaining. The story ... is often very disconnected. The picture is well cast but the direction is somewhat weak and the story seems unreal because there is no delineation of character. Family." Women's Univ Club, Los Angeles Fox W Coast Bui O 3 '36 "Fast moving and fairly entertaining. Adults & young people." -| Gen Fed of Women's Clubs (W Coast) S 23 '36 "Mature." Jt Estimates S 15 '36 "The acting is very good all round. One or two slight discrepancies in the story can easily be overlooked; it is not quite clear on which side the chief murderer is, whether he is a lone wolf or working with Girard. The direction is good, the excitement being all well worked up and sustained. Suitability: adults & adoles + '— Mo Film Bui pl74 O '36 "[It is] a very involved murder mystery. Family." Nat Bd of R M S '36 "This is a fairly interesting murder mystery. Adults." -| Nat Council of Jewish Women S 21 '36 "General patronage." Nat Legion of Decency S 24 '36 "A: fair; Y: possible; C: no." Parents' M p32 D '36 "Mature." Sel Motion Pict p5 O 1 '36 -1 — | Exceptionally Good; + Good; -\ Fair; + Mediocre; Poor; Exceptionally Poor