Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1936)

130 MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST THANK YOU, JEEVES — Continued "Hampered by the fact that on the screen Jeeves is seen direct rather than through the mist of Bertie Wooster's dazed idolatry, 'Thank You, Jeeves,' though sure to disappoint Wodehouse addicts, is still a passably amusing + '— Time p36 O 12 '36 Trade Paper Reviews "Disappointing in its interpretation of P. G. Wodehouse's characters, Bertie Wooster and Jeeves, and losing much of the author's inimitable subtlety, this film emerges as more or less slapstick. It will please those who like that variety of comedy but will be a let-down for Wodehouse fans. Family." } Box Office p63 S 19 '36 "Except for Arthur Treacher as the valet, the writers of this screenplay did not take much from P. G. Wodehouse, creator of Jeeves, but instead attempted to turn out a comedy of general appeal with enough British flavor to preserve the identity of the original. The result is a rather mixed affair." H Film Daily p8 S 17 '36 "Missing fire on almost every count, this silly and confused English farce will not get far as entertainment and must be relegated to dual support duty where it won't matter. Compounded of alternate dashes of very British whimsy and of old-fashioned slapstick, its chief merits lie in a few individual performances, a scattery spray of bright lines and some admirable British sets." h Hollywood Reporter p3 S 10 '36 H Motion Pict Daily p4 S 11 '36 "Lightweight, this hasn't even good feature names to help it. Some may like English comedian Treacher but the show will probably wind up on double features." h Pbila Exhibitor p38 O 1 '36 "[It] is a tidy little bit for dual use. It's sound in every department and will satisfy all around in any type of house. Clipped running time shows there were no intentions to get out of the support class, but this in no way detracts from the picture's merits." + Variety pl6 S 23 '36 "P. G. Wodehouse's gentleman's gentleman, has been caricatured into a figure of burlesque mystery. He bears only faint resemblance to the author's creation but presents a kind of entertainment which more literal translation of the original might have missed for general audience. . . [It] is strictlv neighborhood program made for folk who laugh easily at simple buffoonery. So conceived, written and directed, it will satisfy in these less-demanding spots where the Wodehouse tales are little known." H Variety (Hollywood) p3 S 10 '36 THEODORA GOES WILD. Columbia 90min N 12 '36 Cast: Irene Dunne. Melvyn Douglas. Thomas Mitchell. Thurston Hall Director: Richard Boleslawski Based on a short story of same title by Mary McCarthy. Irene Dunne portrays a New England spinster, brought up under the stern repressions of a small town by two maiden aunts. Unknown to them she writes a daring book and goes to see the New York publishers when it becomes a great success. There she meets the illustrator of the book who twits her about her primness. She decides to show him and she does by "running wild." Audience Suitability Ratings "Laughingly gay, this picture is excellent entertainment for mature audiences." Am Legion Auxiliary "This delightfully amusing farce is so well produced, so perfectly cast and so finely directed that it ranks with the very best in light adult entertainment. . . The subtle satire on a small New England town, its people, its church and literary club, could not possibly offend. Adults." Calif Cong of Par & Teachers "This picture has every element that makes for excellent entertainment for intelligent, mature audiences. It maintains a high standard for even and consistent story development, clever dialogue, excellence of production and deftness of direction. Outstanding. Mature." Calif Fed of Business & Professional Women's Clubs "Irene Dunne proves an excellent comedienne. Mature & 14-18. Excellent." DAR "A gay, spontaneous comedy with clever dialogue, excellent photography, good direction and a capable cast. . . Mature. (It is to be deplored that church people are pictured as narrow, straightlaced and gossipy.)" S Calif Council of Fed Church Women + + Fox W Coast Bui N 14 '36 "A highly entertaining sophisticated comedy with enough underlying pathos to give the story body. . . An able cast, fittingly chosen, give fine characterizations, with Irene Dunne and Melvyn Douglas, excelling. Adults & young people." + Gen Fed of Women's Clubs (W Coast) N 2 '36 "Columbia scores another hit. . . Under the brilliant directorial guidance of Richard Boleslawski the entire production emerges sparkling with humor and clever repartee. Mature." + + Nat Council of Jewish Women N 3 '36 "Objectionable in part." Nat Legion of Decency N 19 '36 "Mature. Outstanding." + + Sel Motion Pict p4 D 1 '36 "[It is] a delightful and amusing story. . . Excellent acting, clever dialogue and good direct.ng. Mature. Outstanding." + + Wkly Guide N 14 '36 Newspaper and Magazine Reviews "A genially entertaining comedy, although the situations are forced at times and many of the lines are silly without being funny. Family." H Christian Science Monitor pl7 N 14 '36 "[It] is a joy, not by virtue of the strength of the story, but because it has excellent direction and clever performances. Cleverness is something the screen should have in larger doses. . . The Theodora story is a crazy sort of thing, but Boleslawski gives it to us as one of the most delightful offerings of the season." + Hollywood Spec p7 N 7 '36 "The players deserve most of the credit for the antic quality that pervades 'Theodora Goes Wild.' The farcical conceits that define the action of the film are not exactly sturdy and the comic byplay frequently betrays a ripe age. Irene Dunne and her expert assistants have contrived to keep the brightest facets of the production turned toward you, however. Under Richard Boleslawski' s light touch, they make it a generally merry if rather inconsequential screen comedy." Howard Barnes + NY Herald Tribune p23 N 13 '36 "When Irene Dunne escapes from both heavy drama and elaborate musical she goes the whole way. In the new feature, a gay light comedy verging on farce, she seems to be having as much fun as her audiences. That is quite a bit of fun, too, for all the film's feathery quality. Miss Dunne, given her chance at real comedy, never hesitates. . . Director Richard Boleslawski and a topping comedy cast make the most of every opportunity, however slight." Eileen Creelman + N Y Sun p34 N 13 *36 + + Exceptionally Good; -(-Good; -\ Fail + Mediocre; — Poor; Exceptionally Poo