Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1937)

MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST used during a political campaign. Adults & young people." i Sel Motion Pict p9 Ja 1 '37 Trade Paper Reviews "Producer Nat Levine has turned out in this feature a crisp, clear and exciting yarn. . . Picture will appeal both to men and women patrons." + Film Daily p6 Ja 12 '37 "Not spectacular but Republic nevertheless has a tight mystery film in 'Beware of Ladies' which will serve as good balance on an average bill. . . The experienced hand of Irving Pichel at the directorial helm is evident throughout in keeping the flow of developments at their proper dramatic pitch, and in extracting from the cast a set of capable performances." _1 Hollywood Reporter p4 D 12 '36 H Motion Pict Daily p4 D 7 '36 "For average double bill requirements 'Beware of Ladies' suffices. Away from the twinners it would have difficulty pleasing, since, while it manages to entertain fairly well, it is without cast names. . . The story progresses interestingly, but doesn't get exciting until the final reel. . . This sequence is tense, but toward its end the melodramatics become so pronounced that unintended audience laughs may even be provoked. A last-minute rescue is more giggly than dramatic." -| Variety pl3 Ja 13 '37 BLACK LEGION. Warner 83min Ja 30 '37 Cast: Humphrey Bogart. Dick Foran. Erin O'Brien-Moore. Ann Sheridan Director: Archie L. Mayo "Beneath its fictional veneer, it is the quasidocumentary record of the growth and activities of the hooded organization that terrorized the Mid-west in 1935-36, cloaking its cowardice, bigotry, selfishness, stupidity and brutality under the mantle of '100 per cent Americanism.' " N "K Times Audience Suitability Ratings "It contains a relentless indictment of race hatred and religious intolerance which may have a chastening effect upon certain, selfappointed wardens of justice and free opportunity. . . There is a wealth of power in the film and the subtle degeneration of a normal, home-loving laborer into a sadistic, egotistical hoodlum is a phenomenon that demands our shamed attention. Humphrey Bogart's portrayal of the chief role is starkly effective. . . The subject of the picture is such that it can be understood and appreciated only by adults." T. J. Fitzmorris + America p408 Ja 30 '37 "A: depends on taste; Y & C: no." Christian Century p231 F 17 '37 "[It is] a timely expose. . . Faithfully following the printed and radio-enacted news of the trial and its uncoverings, the film is one that grips attention from the very first. Adults only." Am Legion Auxiliary "This is tense drama, well cast, well produced and excellently directed. Adults & young people." Calif Cong of Par & Teachers "As fine and timely a picture as has been made. Adults. Excellent." DAR "This film mirrors no particular case but incidents of the story have been paralleled in the daily press of the past year. A situation is vividly presented in contrasting light and shade which will open discussion and awaken interest among thinking people. Adults." Nat Soc of New England Women "Although the picture is not a pleasant one. yet it has its message, contains a warning and is satisfying in that justice is meted out to all regardless of sentimental family ties. Strictly adult fare." S Calif Council of Fed Church Women + Fox W Coast Bui Ja 9 '37 "A powerful and gripping picturization of a contemporary evil in society. . . Forceful and effective is the work of the director, giving the picture marked realism and high social value. Adults & young people." + Gen Fed of Women's Clubs (W Coast) D 28 '36 "Above the average of this type of picture. Good. Adults." + Motion Pict Guide Mr '37 "This is not a pleasant picture, and its influence is debatable. Like many of the G-man films, the indictment of crime is accompanied by scenes of physical violence and bloodshed to pander to the public taste for sensationalism. It may serve as a warning to those who believe justice can ever be dispensed in America by militaristic methods, whether extra-legal or not; and again those who need the lesson may miss it entirely. Adolescents, 12-16: no; children, 8-12: terrifying." Motion Pict R p4 Ja '37 "The studio and director deserve credit for the good taste displayed throughout the entire production, while the definition of a real American as told by the Judge during the trial of the members of the Legion is inspiring. Adults." + Nat Council of Jewish Women D 29 '36 "Adults." Nat Legion of Decency Ja 14 '37 "Warner Brothers have packed into this stirring plea for tolerance everything that belongs there. Americans of every religion, race, color, and political belief should rejoice in this rare Hollywood excursion into the world of reality, be it ever so unpleasant." + Scholastic p22 F 6 '37 "A timely, thought-provoking drama. Adults. Best of the month." + + Sel Motion Pict p3 F 1 '37 "Effective because dramatic and interesting propaganda for democratic law and order, important because it deals with contemporary questions. Mature." + Wkly Guide Ja 16 '37 Neicspaper and Magazine Reviews "A hard-hitting social melodrama which pounds pseudo-patriotic societies and prejudice of all kinds with well-aimed blows. . . Archie L. Mayo's direction is realistic and the acting, especially by Humphrey Bogart, is outstanding. Adults & mature young people." + Christian Science Monitor pl5 F 15 '37 "The play as such is unimportant, even elementary in story construction, and, frequently, in treatment. But it has strength as a stinging indictment of false patriotism, race hatred and bigotry." J. P. Cunningham Commonweal p360 Ja 22 '37 " 'Black Legion' comes to the screen as one of the most consistently unfolded dramas ever offered the public. . . It succeeds so well that it is engrossing from the first fade-in to the final fade-out." + Hollywood Spec p8 Ja 16 '37 "As a picture of a certain fantastic phase of our native life it rivals that mob-hating little epic, 'Fury,' of last year. High praise goes to Humphrey Bogart. . . Here is a finely detailed performance, flaring hysterically up to a remarkable scene in the inevitable court of justice. Erin O'Brien-Moore is excellent as the wife. And there is a magnificent bit of a clear-thinking, understanding judge by Samuel Hinds." (4 stars) Beverly Hills Liberty p59 F 6 '37 + + Exceptionally Good; + Good; + — Fair; — + Mediocre; —Poor; Exceptionally Poor