Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1936)

120 MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST SING ME A LOVE SONG — Continued "James Melton sings very well indeed, and he is not niggardly in displaying his talents. It is the absurd comedy however which really carried the show. Seldom does one see such delightful nonsense as Hugh Herbert's pantomime in the part of Hammershlag, the shoplifter, while Walter Catlett as the floorwalker and Zasu Pitts as the salesgirl who just cannot refrain from breaking things adds substantially to the fun. Adolescents, 12-16: good; children, 8-12: yes." + Motion Pict R p8 N '36 "This musical comedy is entertaining film fare. Family." + Nat Council of Jewish Women O 14 '36 "General patronage." Nat Legion of Decency D 10 '36 "A, Y & C: entertaining." Parents' M p46 Ja '37 "Family, but mature for children." Sel Motion Pict p5 N 1 '36 Audience Suitability Ratings "A: mediocre; Y and C: no." Christian Century pl375 O 14 '36 "Family." Gen Fed of Women's Clubs (W Coast) S 16 '36 "Adults." Nat Legion of Decency O 1 '36 "A, Y and C: fair musical comedy." Parents' M p44 N '36 "A slender thread of a story overly long drawn out serves as a vehicle for music in a popular vein. Family." H Sel Motion Pict plO O 1 '36 Newspaper and Magazine Reviews "[It has] a plot which is not strengthened by meaningless dialogue and several more or less entertaining songs. Family." 1 Christian Science Monitor pl3 O 10 '36 Newspaper and Magazine Reviews "Thematically trite, directorially spotty, melodiously pleasing, photographically competent and, from the standpoint of acting, not completely successful, 'Sing Me a Love Song' emerges as a production typical of the average Warner musical comedy, one expected to achieve not more than moderate commercial success. . . The romance depicted between James Melton and Patricia Ellis has all the earmarks of a purely unreal article, something manufactured for a motion picture, much blame for which goes to the writers, whose work requires both characters to do things that no intelligent persons, such as they, I presume, are intended to be, would do." Allan Hersholt h Hollywood Spec pll O 24 '36 Trade Paper Reviews "Starting mildly as a light musical romance, this suddenly develops into a comedy panic when Hugh Herbert throws himself into high and exhibits every trick of the comedy trade. . . Melton sings excellently but acts woodenly. Family." -| Box Office p63 O 17 '36 "Warner's 'Sing Me a Love Song' is a musical with more comedy than music; the humorous element involving the Warner Bros, stock company will afford some draw appeal, but the ordinary story and a lack of big names will be detriments, which the comedy will remove to a degree." H Hollywood Reporter p3 O 8 '36 + Motion Pict Daily pS O 9 '36 "Warners has a grand comedy musical in "Sing Me a Love Song.' With shrewd showmanship, producers have surrounded the personable James Melton with a cast of established troupers who build the picture into class entertainment. The film contains genuine laughs and some real uproarious comedy, plus good tunes, two of which are definitely ticketed for the hit box office. Full of gags and expert comedy work, Warners shouldn't have any trouble selling this one to John Public." -( Variety (Hollywood) p3 O 8 '36 SITTING ON THE MOON. Republic 65min S 15 '36 Cast: Roger Pryor. Grace Bradley. William Newell. Pert Kelton Director: Ralph Staub Music: Sam H. Stept. Sidney D. Mitchell Music director: Harry Grey See issue of September 28, 1936 for other reviews of this film Trade Paper Reviews "Estimate: pleasant program for neighborhoods, twin bills." -I Phila Exhibitor p35 S 15 "36 "Pleasant radio musical. A kind of backstage play about broadcasting. Good companion program piece anywhere and the songs are nice." + Variety p29 S 30 '36 SMART BLONDE. Warner-First national 65min Ja 2 '37 Cast: Glenda Farrell. Barton MacLane. Winifred Shaw. Craig Reynolds Director: Frank McDonald This is the first of a new detective series. "Glenda Farrell is Torchy Blane, a smart, flip, well characterized newspaper reporter. She works with Barton MacLane of the police detective detail. They are friendly enemies, within the limits of their affection and respect for each other. Their first adventure is to crack the mystery of the murder of a sports tycoon." [Variety (Hollywood)] Audience Suitability Ratings "Witty dialogue and clever acting give the picture its entertainment value. Family-mature." Am Legion Auxiliary "The suspense, for the most part, is well sustained. Adults: good; 14-18: possibly; 8-14: no." Calif Cong of Par & Teachers "The picture is so expertly acted and so smoothly directed, and has such an unexpected denouement, it is rather better entertainment than the average film of this type. Good. Adult." Calif Fed of Business & Professional Women's Clubs "Capable leads, light, amusing treatment. Mature & 14-18. Mediocre." DAR "The usual suspense prevails throughout, although there is nothing new or original in story and treatment. Adequately cast and directed. Mature." S Calif Council of Fed Church Women Fox W Coast Bui N 28 '36 "The direction is consistent and convincing, the settings appropriate, the large cast satisfactory with the work of Glenda Farrell most commendable. Mature audience." + Gen Fed of Women's Clubs (W Coast) N 17 '36 "Smart dialogue and lively action in a well directed cleverly cast murder mystery." + Nat Council of Jewish Women N 16 '36 "Adults." Nat Legion of Decency D 3 '36 + + Exceptionally Good; + Good; -\ Fair; f Mediocre; —Poor; Exceptionally Poor