Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1937)

10 MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST BLACK LEGION— Continued "The timid cinema, a junior art which has feinted with a couple of quick lefts and then run every time it has tangled with an antiFascist theme, finally has landed a solid, substantial blow. In 'Black Legion,' Hollywood grows up. . . The Black Legion has not yet been stamped completely out of the Midwest. On that premise, plus a good showmanly regard for an ardent topical plot, the Warner Brothers have made a picture both powerful and intelligent." + Lit Digest p23 Ja 16 '37 "It has been said by at least one newspaper that [it] ... is 'vastly important' and should be seen by everybody. To say this is to indict most Americans of a grossness which I think they do not possess. . . We are told by [the film] that black is black, and we knew that a long time ago. The film is not even excellent in its own terms; it is full of stock figures, it moves with a barren obviousness, and in general it has about one-tenth as much art in it as 'Fury' had, to name a predecessor which itself was imperfect." Mark Van Doren — Nation pl37 Ja 30 '37 "It is regrettable that greater pains were not taken to provide the film with more credible writing and better production values. A stronger 'marquee' drag and 'Black Legion' would be in the position where it could influence many more millions of people. At that, it possesses more value than nine-tenths of its gaudier brothers in the class A' films." + New Theatre & Film p58 Mr '37 "[It is] a savagely direct and uncompromising study of mob terrorism and violence. . . It has been given such forceful and fully dimensioned treatment that the work becomes an outstanding and memorable motion picture. . . It is at once a searchingly honest document tracing the germinal period in Fascist development and a moving personal tragedy. Here is a screen drama that triumphantly defies you to remain a passive spectator. . . 'Black Legion' [is] a vastly absorbing, vastly important photoplay that should be missed by no one." Howard Barnes + + N Y Herald Tribune p8 Ja 18 '37 " 'Black Legion' is real, vivid as a newsreel and quite as believable. The power of 'Black Legion' is in its apparent simplicity. The whole tale seems too natural, [too] inevitable. . . Mr. Mayo, for his excellent direction of a muchneeded production, may take all the bows he cares to." Eileen Creelman + NY Sun p24 Ja 18 '37 "It is good to find that the screen has not lost its power for indignation. 'Black Legion' is the editorial cinema at its best — ruthless, direct, uncompromising. . . It is not a pretty picture, certainly not a flattering one. . . Mr. Bogart has handled a difficult assignment flawlessly. Scarcely less impressive is Erin O'BrienMoore's tragic performance as his wife. . . The picture merits an attentive audience; I hope its message reaches that type of mind to which the Michigan organization's aims appealed." F. S. Nugent + NY Times p21 Ja 18 '37 "The Warner Brothers have produced a biting, scathing, courageous and exciting expose melodrama. . . You need not be told that the Warner Brothers are old hands at mixing propaganda and melodrama. . . But for the most part in the past they have pulled their punches and have done some neat side-stepping after posing certain sociological problems on the screen. This time, however, they have not pulled punches. 'Black Legion' is nothing if not full of the stuff of righteous scorn and anger, courageously and bluntly put. Indeed, sometimes it is so bluntly put that it becomes startlingly loathsome. But for all its brassknuckled truthfulness, it is also a good melodrama. So put 'Black Legion' down as absorbing entertainment as well as fiery indignation." William Boehnel + NY World-Telegram pl2 Ja 18 '37 "It's . . . fine movie stuff. . . It's a savage and brutal showing, a picture of considerable force. It doesn't quite come up to 'Fury.' . . The force of the conclusion is weakened somewhat by the emphasis on the romance, and also somewhat because the founders of the Legion, the brains and power behind it all, aren't apprehended and merely vanish from the scene. Yet the film is startling." John Mosher New Yorker p65 Ja 23 '37 "A terse expose of the hooded hoodlums whose rallying cry is a jingo patriotism and whose threat is rule by mob terrorism. Humphrey Bogart gives a credible and sympathetic performance." + News-Wk p31 Ja 23 '37 "Doubly fortunate is it that this is not a Big Name picture and it will have its greatest audiences where the social surgery is most needed. . . We give a hand to Archie Mayo for brutally fine direction, and to Hal Wallis for his nerve in sponsoring a much-needed picture." Rob Wagner + Script p6 F 20 '37 "It is, headlines or no, exciting stuff and needs no such casual motive as timeliness to make a kind of cinema Americana. . . Humphrey Bogart is excellent in the role of honest foreman who turns sadist. Strong stuff, not for those toho frighten easily." + Stage pl4 F '37 "The picture [is] one of the most effective in Warner Brothers' series of industrial problem plays. Like 'Black Fury' and T am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang', 'Black Legion' makes no effort to mollify its message." + Time p46 Ja 25 '37 Trade Paper Reviews "Starkly and antecedently realistic, this document in indictment of bigotry and class prejudice will win high plaudits from critics and thinking theatre patrons everywhere. Its introduction to the screen bespeaks rare courage for its producers, and, intelligently merchandised, the feature should reward this intrepidity with smashing financial returns. Family." + Box Office p47 Ja 9 '37 "The dramatic action is splendidly handled throughout, built up to a tense climax, and is a most impressive presentation of a front-page story that shocked the nation. The acting is commendable throughout. . . Director Archie Mayo never did anything better." + Film Daily pll D 30 '36 "Here is the strongest melodrama of sociological significance to hit the screen since 'I am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang.' Right out of the headlines, 'Black Legion' has all the earmarks of a clean-up at the box office, despite its lack of established name draws. Yet the production is almost certain to make a topflight character star of Humphrey Bogart." + Hollywood Reporter p3 Ja 5 '37 "Made with the suspense, attention given the usual Warner gang picture, with liberal doses of propaganda for the democratic system added, this is engrossing, fairly hard-hitting. Estimate: big-city stuff, with strong selling angles." Phila Exhibitor p64 Ja 15 '37 "With an effective blend of good drama and timely propaganda in its favor, 'Black Legion' should gather heaps of critical plaudits. The only thing that may prevent it from doing strongly is the impression of the film's ruthlessness on the feminine element. Combination of theme, press attention and the film's drama, however, should overcome the lack of marquee names." + Variety pl4 Ja 20 '37 "Warners has turned to current events previously for the inspiration of strong drama. It is extremely doubtful, however, if a cycle based on this theme will long prosper. 'Black Legion' leaves very little untold and practically exhausts the subject. It may be just as well. . . Just how general audiences will take + + Exceptionally Good; + Good; -\ Fair; \ Mediocre; — Poor; Exceptionally Poor