Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1937)

MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST "Mediocre. Family." DAR "The plot is a thin and sketchy one with weak spots, but it is strengthened by the usual good riding and some laugh-provoking humor. Family." E Coast Preview Committee "A rather jumbled farce, well photographed, entirely harmless and enlivened by some really amusing comedians. Family." Nat Soc of New England Women "[It is] a mildly interesting Western. . . Loosely developed continuity and confusing and irrelevant details contribute to the devaluation of the ethical and social attributes in the regeneration of the main character which, in itself, is well drawn. Mediocre and mature." S Calif Council of Fed Church Women Fox W Coast Bui D 19 '36 "Family." Jt Estimates D 1 '36 "Fair. Family." H Motion Pict Guide Mr *37 "Part comedy, part Western, and not very good in either category, 'Arizona Mahoney' suffers from lack of material. . . Children might enjoy Joe Cook and his one-elephant circus; others should be forewarned. Adolescents, 12-16: fair; children, 8-12: yes." -j Motion Pict R p3 Ja '37 "This Western has the virtue of being different from the usual formula with its mad, merry foolishness, good comedy, clever dialogue and ridiculous situations. Family & junior matinees." Nat Council of Jewish Women D 9 '36 "General patronage." Nat Legion of Decency D 10 '36 "Family." Sel Motion Pict p7 Ja 1 '37 Trade Paper Reviews "With proper buildup, Cook gives evidence of becoming one of the screen's most clever 'comedians. Family." Box Office p27 F 20 '37 "Conclusively denying previous evidence which indicates that one Western looks just like every other, 'Arizona Mahoney' is an outdoor thriller which throws Joe Cook and an elephant into the cattle country with madcap results. Its box office possibilities are enigmatic, depending as they do upon the draw inherent in the names of Cook and Larry Crabbe. Followers of the pounding hoof are liable to be aggrieved in seeing this satire of the wild west. But as straight comedy it should be able to find a neat spot on the nether end of most any double bill." + Hollywood Reporter p3 F 10 "37 — Motion Pict Daily p8 F 11 '37 "Joe Cook, working overtime on his gags and gadgets, just couldn't bootstrap himself out of an inferior piece. Film tries to be both a serious Western and a smooth comedy, which is a problem for anybody to search his head about. . . Cook, a hardluck guy in pictures whether shorts or full length features, hasn't boosted his chances much by 'Arizona Mahoney.' He'll be dual billing, weekending in Western houses, or in need of something in way of support in 10 out of 20 playdates in any section of the country." h Variety pl9 F 24 '37 "Somebody made a mistake, so the screen has 'Arizona Mahoney.' It is a combination Western and circus picture, a sort of melodramatic comedy, with a touch of about everything that could be found in the studio cupboard tossed in for good measure. The trouble, fundamentally, is with the story. . . For the most part it is hokem that won't fool the adults, nor will it intrigue the [children]." — Variety (Hollywood) p3 F 10 '37 B BANJO ON MY KNEE. 20th century-Fox 80min D 4 '36 Cast: Barbara Stanwyck. Joel McCrea. Walter Brennan. Buddy Ebsen. Helen Westley. Walter Catlett. Katherine De Mille Director: John Cromwell Music & lyrics: Jimmy McHugh. Harold Adamson Music director: Arthur Lange See issue of December 28, 1936 for other reviews of this film Audience Suitability Ratings "There is an appealing novelty to this picture of life on the Mississippi which adds greatly to its entertainment value. Being a comedy with musical trimmings, it gets along very well without the artificial respiration of tried and true situations and maintains a steadily amusing pace. . . Walter Brennan and Buddy Ebsen figure prominently in the story and the musical portion of the production is of a high order. For all of its sparkle, the film is on an adult plane." T. J. Fitzmorris + America p264 D 19 '36 "A: depends on taste; Y: not the best; C: no." Christian Century pl734 D 23 '36 "[It is] an amusing, down-to-earth melodrama of Louisiana river-shanty folk. . . Different; interesting. Adults. Good." DAR + Fox W Coast Bui D 12 '36 "A few lovely river scenes, good music and dancing are the highlights of this drama of the river dwellers of the South. A strain of unnecessary suggestiveness makes it unsuitable for children. Adults." Am Legion Auxiliary "Picturing with consistency and exactness the lives of the people who live and die on the shanty boats along the Mississippi River, 'Banjo on My Knee' offers one of the best interpretations yet presented of this ever-fascinating scene. . . The entire cast does noteworthy work and this, with the fine direction, interesting musical score and the poetic quaintness of the river scenes of New Orleans make this picture well worth while. Family." Calif Cong of Par & Teachers "An excellent cast, fascinating locale and an interesting theme fail to satisfy because of a feeling of artificiality, anti-climaxes and insufficient story material for length of this picture. . . To balance the tenseness, several humorous sequences are introduced, but with recourse to exaggeration and slapstick. Disappointing. Family-mature." Calif Fed of Business & Professional Women's Clubs "The life and customs of the river-shanty folks are both novel and instructive and the romance develops many points of interest. . . The humor is robust and at times even a bit rowdy. Family." E Coast Preview Committee "Good singing and dancing add greatly to this novel picture of primitive America. Adults & young people." Nat Soc of New England Women "The entertainment features of the picture are so outweighed by certain innuendoes, which are offensive to the finer sensibilities, that the ethical value is materially reduced. Mature." 5 Calif Council of Fed Church Women Fox W Coast Bui D 19 '36 "This film is deservedly described as 'unusual.' It is as interesting as it is unusual. The life of a strange little community is vividly pictured. A rather slow opening creates the required atmosphere which is well sustained, on the whole, throughout. Suitability: adults 6 adolescents." + Mo Film Bui pll Ja '37 + + Exceptionally Good; + Good; -| Fair; \ Mediocre; — Poor; Exceptionally Poor