Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1936)

134 MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST THREE MEN ON A HORSE — Continued "The highly successful stage farce about race track gambling, here brought to the screen by Mervyn LeRoy for Warners, is raucous and ribald entertainment with an undeniably high laugh content that will put it over for substantial returns in many quarters. Transference of the John Cecil Holm play to the screen somehow emphasizes its maniacal absurdities and the fact that every character is a caricature and every situation a phoney, but the snappy and slangy gag-lines and the wildly farced action come so fast that there is little to do but let go and laugh." + Hollywood Reporter p2 S 29 '36 + Motion Pict Daily p6 S 30 '36 "Warners have taken the stage hit, cast it with pulling names, presented it almost exactly as in the stage version, with the result fast comedy that will probably have a bit more appeal to men than women but a show that ought to land in upper grosses. Estimate: winner, with plenty to spare." + Phila Exhibitor p36 O 15 '36 " 'Three Men on a Horse' on celluloid is an even better laugh-grabber than its stage counterpart, and assuredly box office. There have been practically no alterations and only a few additions, and whatever was added is on the profit side. . . 'Three Men on a Horse' looked like a natural for the screen in legit form. Now there's no doubt of it." + Variety pl8 D 2 '36 "It has much of the rowdy pungency of 'The Front Page' and preserves all the best elements from its own stage progenitor. Lines are racy, pace seems fast, despite overlength of preview, because dialog fascinates and suspense is well built, and humor springs solidly out of main situation and its diverting side issues. When 1,000 feet have been cut from first assembly, as will be done before release, picture will sprint the full distance with unflagging hilarity." + Variety (Hollywood) p3 S 29 '36 THREE MESQUITEERS. Republic 60min S 10 '36 Cast: Robert Livingston. Ray Corrigan. Syd Saylor Director: Ray Taylor This is the first of a series of eight outdoor Westerns. A western melodrama involving disabled world war veterans who seek homesteads in the west. Audience Suitability Ratings "Excellent riding helps make this a stimulating and exciting Western. General patronage.' + Nat Legion of Decency O 1 '36 'A, Y and C: good Western.' Parents' M p44 N '36 Trade Paper Reviews "Republic introduces a new cowboy trio, 'The Three Mesquiteers,' in a picture that has all the earmarks of being the forerunner in a series of popular western dramas. Family." + Box Office p23 S 12 *36 "This is much more than a routine Western for there is a very original and graphic story that is built up with fine characterization and plenty of human interest touches." + Film Daily plO O 2 '36 "First of Republic's new series of eight Westerns in which a trio of riding and shooting pals will lead, this variant of the standard formula will satisfy in the standard action spots." + Hollywood Reporter p3 S 2 '36 + Motion Pict Daily p2 S 5 '36 "Estimate: okey Western." + Phila Exhibitor p35 S 15 '36 "Republic has turned out a better than average run-of-the-mill Western in 'The Three Mesquiteers.' . . Displaying smart showmanship, the ending of the picture leaves 'The Three Mesquiteers' together riding on their merry way for further adventures. While not in the serial class, the ending gives the distinct impression that these three will be seen again, a point that exhibitors should not overlook when this one clicks in the neighborhoods and with family trade, as it obviously will. Title of the picture has excellent exploitation possibilities, and the series should go to town if standard of this one is maintained throughout." + Variety (Hollywood) p3 S 2 '36 THREE SMART GIRLS. Universal 84min D 20 '36 Cast: Deanna Durbin. Nan Grey. Barbara Reed. Charles Winninger. Binnie Barnes. Alice Brady. Mischa Auer Director: Henry Koster "A story of three girls who return to their father in America to keep him from marrying a fortune hunter." Wkly Guide Audience Suitability Ratings "General patronage." Nat Legion of Decency D 10 '36 "Well directed, good photography, and highly amusing. The entire cast is excellent and the singing of Deanna Durbin, Universal's 13-yearold singing marvel, is very fine. Miss Durbin is really the leading lady. The picture is almost a starred production. Family." + Wkly Guide D 5 '36 Trade Paper Reviews "To Universal must go the acclaim of the whole picture industry for the production of 'Three Smart Girls,' not because it will turn out about the best gross of the year or the month; not because of the production of a great story; not because of the great assembly of stars; but because Universal has taken a story of little consequence and, through fine writing, acting, direction, and production, has made one of the best pieces of entertainment this reviewer has seen in many months — with a cast of players many of them unknown but who will be plenty known after the picture gets out. . . The three smart girls of the picture are Deanna Durbin, Nan Grey and Barbara Reed, all newcomers, all from the Universal stock company and all certain to go places, particularly Miss Durbin, who is assuredly the greatest find of the year. . . [She] is one of the most astonishing personalities to come to the screen in a long time. She can act, sings gloriously and is most pleasant to look at." + Hollywood Reporter p2 D 1 '36 + Motion Pict Daily p6 D 1 '36 "Favored with unusual showmanship in production, direction and story, the trio of ingenues in Universal's 'Three Smart Girls' distinguishes this as one of the outstanding and surprise pictures of the season. Without discounting the other featured players the girls will get highest critical and popular acclaim for entertainment which will delight any audience and hearten any exhibitor. Smartly sold to create initial momentum, the picture should roll up handsome grosses. . . Sensational is the projection of a new star in the making, Deanna Durbin, in her screen bow. With astute handling to exploit the gifts and graces displayed as an actress and a songstress, this youngster, still in her teens, will quickly reach the film peerage." + Variety (Hollywood) p3 D 1 '36 -f + Exceptionally Good; +Good; -\ Fair; [ Mediocre; —Poor; Exceptionally Poor