Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1936)

116 MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST R E U N I ON— Continued who made the earlier film so heart-warming. For many it will be enough to know that the celebrated infants are at top form and have a comparatively large share in the entertainment. . . Mr. Hersholt carries some of the sentimental sequences close to the breaking point, although his performance, on the whole, is appealingly straightforward." Howard Barnes H NY Herald Tribune pl9 N 27 '36 "Those charming wards of Edward VIII and Darryl F. Zanuck, the Dionne quintuplets run through their limited but endlessly fascinating dramatic repertoire. . . They bring with them, perhaps, too numerous a supporting cast of grown-ups, for the truth is that 'Reunion' is pretty regretable, as much for the superfluous adult presences on the screen as for the too frequent and too long absences of the Callander glamour girls. Of course, it is almost impossible not to have story trouble with leading ladies who are 2 years of age and five in number." B. R. C. h N Y Times p27 N 27 '36 "For pleasure seekers: The most popular entertainers in the world, the Dionne Quintuplets, of course, are in 'Reunion.' The ladies make several appearances in the film and couldn't be more charming. The story, however, is concerned with adults. . . Again there is John Qualen as Asa, the father, undoubtedly one of the startling impersonations on the modern screen." New Yorker pl31 D 5 '36 "This sentimental film is notable for giving the five little Dionnes — at the advanced age of 2 — another opportunity to mind their P's and Q's to the tune of admiring 'Ohs' and 'Ahs.' " News-Wk p22 D 5 '36 "The idea of viewing a film combining the reputed cutenesses of the Dionne Quintuplets was intimidating. . . That 'Reunion' kept me in my seat, amused and contented, must be laid to the adult cast, a good story, clever direction, and not the persuasiveness of the Canadian caperettes." Herb Sterne + Script plO N 21 '36 "In 'The Country Doctor' . . . the famed Five were the most important characters in the story. In 'Reunion' they are incidental. . . All this leaves the audience with renewed conviction that sequels are rarely as good as the first instalment." H Time p23 D 7 '36 Trade Paper Reviews "This picture is so loaded with comedy, drama and kindliness that it cannot miss. . . It will do landslide business on the drawing jpower of the quints alone — and any exhibitor who gets behind it and sells it will have to push the theatre walls back to accomodate the crowds. Family." + Box Office p29 N 21 '36 "The cute and tricky Quintuplets highlight this comedy drama. With those five tiny stars, the picture should hit strongly at the box-office. They are on near the opening of the show and are again presented close to the end. . . Many a good gag makes for plenty of laughter, and with the doctor straightening out the lives of a few of the visitors, things are always interesting." + Film Daily p9 N 13 '36 "Darryl Zanuck and his flock have achieved the seemingly impossible, producing a sequel to 'The Country Doctor,' again starring the Dionne quints, that is as enjoyable a piece of entertainment as the first. That, of course, is saying a great deal. 'Reunion' will yield very large returns. The new picture has something of almost everything that made the other outstandingly successful, and much besides." -1 Hollywood Reporter p3 N 10 '36 + Motion Pict Daily p8 N 11 '36 "20th Century-Fox's second Dionne quintuplets [film] should do as well or better than the first. Because the quints are spotted twice in the picture, once for about four minutes, again for about eight, audiences will be more satisfied. . . Family audiences will like it best but the appeal is there for all." + Phila Exhibitor p31 D 1 '36 "This follow-up on the first story of the Dionne quintuplets is too episodic to command interest or supply suspense, but it probably will appeal in no less measure to the same class of patronage that flocked before to see the famous babies. Probably a light night grosser in many spots, but looks promising for matinee business. . . Result is passable, thanks largely to the playing and direction. . . Some women may think it all very cute, but it will not appeal to the men." -1 Variety pl8 D 2 '36 "It is a cinch that any picture featuring the Dionne quints will score heavily at the box office as did the first one to exploit these youngsters — 'The Country Doctor.' In 'Reunion,' the five considerably grown since the release of 'The Country Doctor,' are involved in a mellow human story with homespun humor which hands any exhibitor about all he could ask of family entertainment. Everyone who saw the quints previously will want to see them again. They are the marquee magnet, but they are supported by a splendidly trouping cast." + Variety (Hollywood) p3 N 10 '36 RIDE 'EM COWBOY. Universal 60min S 20 '36 Cast: Buck Jones. Luana Walters. George Cooper Director: Lester Selander A western melodrama. Audience Suitability Ratings "A, Y and C: improbable but entertaining." Parents' M p70 S '36 "A highly improbable Western about a cowboy who becomes an automobile racer overnight, but full of excitement and suspense and a thoroughly entertaining picture of its type. Familyjuvenile." + Wkly Guide Jl 4 '36 Trade Paper Reviews Film Daily pl2 O 8 '36 "With racing cars replacing for the most part traditional western pintos, here is an opera, however, in the best Western manner, with plenty of action and thrills. Estimate: unusual Western." + Phila Exhibitor p38 O 1 '36 RIO GRANDE ROMANCE. See Put on the spot ROMANCE RIDES THE RANGE. Spectrum 59min S 28 '36 Cast: Fred Scott. Cliff Nazarro. Marion Shilling. Buzz Barton Director: Harry Fraser A western melodrama. This is the first of six musical Westerns starring Fred Scott. Trade Paper Reviews "In addition to a pleasing romance, some fast riding and several most realistic set-tos, this first Western in a new series follows the present popular trend by providing spots for the handsome young star, Fred Scott, to display his baritone voice to advantage. Family." + Box Office p27 O 3 '36 -f + Exceptionally Good; +Good; -| Fair; 1 Mediocre; —Poor; Exceptionally Poor