Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1936)

MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST 123 wish it were better. This, however, should not mitigate against the film, because it deserves to be seen as it stands." William Boehnel + NY World-Telegram p7a N 21 '36 Trade Paper Reviews "Powerful, interesting production richly endowed with scenic and acting highlights. Although crude technically, film is unusual and will appeal to discriminating audiences and those interested in romantic lands of Eastern Asia, their people and political problems. While essentially propaganda against the Japanese, it is effective entertainment with love theme. Fact that film is first Mongolianmade feature adds to interest." + Film Daily p7 N 24 *36 "Picture is stretched out interminably, perhaps a third of the footage coming more under the classification of manners and customs rather than plot narrative. Some of it is interesting but not for nearly an hour and a half. . . This is probably just what Mongolia wants, but it's a long distance from American standards in spite of admirable direction and occasionally picturesque single sets. The subtitles are intelligent and adequate to tell the storv, such as it is." — + Variety pl5 N 25 '36 tions of the mysterious race from which the film springs in the inert and incoherent photoplay entitled 'Song of China.' More interesting as a novelty than as a drama, it tells [its tale] in a slow and stylized manner, borrowed nonetooskillfully from the Russian motion picture producers. . . Although I do not wish to appear inhospitable toward the cinematic efforts of our Oriental friends from across the sea, I should be lax in my duty as a defender of the cinema if I failed to point out that, while the film's intentions are laudable, the results are lamentable, and that some of the complaints that may safely be lodged against it are that it is slow, tedious and feeble — a flimsy counterfeit having little value either as art or as entertainment." William Boehnel — NY World-Telegram p29 N 10 '36 Reviewed by John Mosher New Yorker plOl N 21 '36 Trade Paper Reviews " 'Song of China' is epigrammatic and frequently quite bromidic, but, in spite of its slowness and lack of action, it is fairly interesting foreign-made material. Picture will draw the arty crowd, and in some centers ... it should receive good support from Chinese and possibly other Orientals." H Variety pl4 N 11 '36 SONG OF CHINA. Douglas MacLean 65min X 9 '36 Cast: Lim Cho-cho. Shang Kwah-wu. Li Shoh-shoh Director: Lo Ming-yau See issues of June 29 and September 28, 1936 for other reviews of this film Newspaper and Magazine Reviews " 'Song of China' . . . conveys a great deal of information about the other side of the earth and [is] heartily recommended. . . [It] is most interestingly acted by Chinese." Mark Van Doren + Nation p677 D 5 '36 "Because it was made in the Orient, written, scored, directed, produced and enacted by Chinese, the film is really interesting. Technically, it is far behind Hollywood, no better photographed or directed than the usual Russian film. It does, however . . . bring the Orient a little closer to us. . . 'Song of China' offers nothing new technically; nor will the story or acting stack up against Hollywood quickies. Its principal interest and a real one, is its camera's eye view of modern China, a land which has not heretofore bothered much about exporting its motion pictures." Eileen Creelman -| NY Sun p33 N 10 '36 "As the prologue explains, the Chinese always have been fond of drama extolling filial piety. . . There's definite proof of that in 'Song of China," which goes to several sentimental extremes in its treatment of the wayward-children theme. Still, there is something hearteningly honest about it. Sincerity, simplicity, dignity — they all apply, and yet, because we have been schooled to distrust such frontier qualities, we prefer to call it 'quaint.' . . China's technical facilities obviously are limited, and the picture shows it in its weak lighting of interiors and in its generally static quality. But the outdoor photography frequently is excellent and the performances, once we readjust ourselves to the silent screen, are eloquent enough. Whatever else you think of it, 'Song of China' has a curiosity value. On that basis primarily, and not as general entertainment, it may be recommended." F. S. Nugent H NY Times p31 N 10 '36 "A group of Chinese artists, ranging in efficiency from pretty good to pretty awful, acquaint us with some of the habits and tradi SONG OF THE GRINGO. Grand national 62min N 10 '36 Cast: Tex Ritter. Joan Woodbury. Fuzzy Knight. Monte Blue Director: John P. McCarthy A musical western melodrama. Audience Suitability Ratings "General patronage." Nat Legion of Decency D 10 '36 "Familv." Sel Motion Pict pll D 1 '36 Trade Paper Reviews "Tex Ritter's ingratiating personality and pleasing singing voice qualify him for popularity as a western star more than his riding and fighting talents. . . Action is swift, particularly at the climax, but frequent interludes are given over to cowboy ballads in which Tex has proven himself a past master. Family." + Box Office p29 N 21 '36 "Via radio and rodeo, Tex Ritter makes his screen debut in this song-studded Western which is also first Grand National release from producer Edward F. Finney. Based on solid story, it is well above average outdoor drama on virtually every count. Ritter's singing ability, personality and natural flare for acting indicate a future of popularity and profit for him." + Film Daily p7 N 10 '36 "Producer Ed Finney in his first attempt, 'Song of the Gringo' has given a little more production value than is usually found in an independent of this type and the result, a tuneful entertaining Western, should find favor with patrons enjoying horse operas." + Hollywood Reporter plo N 13 '36 H Motion Pict Daily pl4 N 10 '36 "Ritter's lilting songs, pleasing personality are the high spot of the picture. He's a little self-conscious; but given a proper vehicle, he will capture the Western fans. This picture is a fair start." -1 Phila Exhibitor p49 N 15 '36 -+ + Exceptionally Good; + Good; -) Fair; + Mediocre; Poor; Exceptionally Poor