Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1937)

MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST 11 the scenes of cruelty and inhuman punishment dealt to victims of the Black Legion is problematical. Some of the shots might well be shortened and a few eliminated. It is a bit too strong for the paying family trade." Variety (Hollywood) p3 N 14 '36 BORDERLAND. Paramount 75min F 26 '37 Cast: William Boyd. James Ellison. George Hayes Director: Nate Watt Based on the novel, Bring Me His Ears, by Clarence E. Mulford. A western melodrama. "Harry Sherman comes through with another Hopalong Cassidy production that retains the high standard of the series. Estimate: good program Western." + Phila Exhibitor p33 F 15 '37 " 'Borderland' stands out as a valuable contribution to any program. It has all the suspense and 'chase' necessary for audiences which crave action, but is still heavy enough on the production side to satisfy the more exacting patrons. Practically devoid of any romantic trend, the picture is deep in sentimental value and has plenty of heart tugs to counterbalance the heavy gunplay and bloodshed which bring the film to a stirring climax. + Variety (Hollywood) p3 F 4 '37 Audience Suitability Ratings "One of the best in the Hopalong Cassidy series. . . Excellent cast, beautiful desert scenes, with comedy and romance enough _ to please any audience. Family." Am Legion Auxiliary "Beautiful outdoor settings and excellent photography distinguish this better than average Western picture. Family." Calif Cong of Par & Teachers "There are some particularly effective scenes of the horses galloping through the Joshua trees on the desert. Very good. Family." Calif Fed of Business & Professional Women's Clubs "Mediocre. Family, but mature for children." DAR "A good story but exciting for small children. Family." Nat Soc of New England Women "Too much shooting and drinking. Waste of time." S Calif Council of Fed Church Women Fox W Coast Bui F 20 '37 ■12: ex "Adolescents, 12-16: yes; children, citing." Motion Pict R p3 Mr '37 "A better-than-most Western in which beautiful photography and interesting characterizations lend veracity to an otherwise obvious and rather bloody story. Family & junior matinee." -f Nat Council of Jewish Women F 10 '37 "General patronage." Nat Legion of Decency F 25 '37 "Family." Sel Motion Pict p7 Mr 1 '37 Trade Paper Reviews "Hopalong Cassidy' s fans will be thoroughly satisfied with this one, as it supplies all the action, comedy and adventure which have made preceding films in the series such successful and lucrative box office bets. Family." + Box Office p23 F 13 '37 "This Hopalong Cassidy is more dramatic than its predecessors. It will be a matter of individual opinion as to whether it is the best or just one of the best in the series. Whichever it is, it is way up at the top of Westerns. A good share of the credit for this grand outdoor drama is due to William Boyd's outstanding performance." + Film Daily p7 F 15 '37 "This is about the best Hopalong Cassidy Western yet. . . It's the toughest assignment Hopalong has ever had, but he gets away with it and the result is a keen and sympathetically human yarn." + Hollywood Reporter p3 F 4 '37 + Motion Pict Daily p7 F 5 '37 BORN TO DANCE. MGM 105min N 27 '36 Cast: Eleanor Powell. James Stewart. Virginia Bruce. Una Merkel. Frances Langford. Buddy Ebsen. Raymond Walburn. Sid Silvers Director: Roy Del Ruth Dance director: David Gould Music: Cole Porter Music director: Alfred Newman See issue of December 28, 1936 for other reviews of this film Audience Suitability Ratings "Smartly paced, its trivial plot, with appealing human touches, is developed with dialogue as pat and nimble as the tapping feet of the dancers. This gay musical comedy trips along with never a dull moment from start to finish. Family." Nat Soc of New England Women + Fox W Coast Bui D 5 '36 "Fresh, bubbling, courageous optimism of youth is the keynote which runs throughout this very clever and elaborate production. . . Interspersed with gay song and dance numbers, the picture as a whole will be remembered for its beauty and its wholesome entertainment values. Family." Am Legion Auxiliary "A breezy story, fast tempo, catchy songs and unsurpassed dancing make 'Born to Dance' the 'tops' in musical entertainment. Very good. Family." Calif Fed of Business & Professional Women's Clubs "The tangled loves of sailors afford opportunity for regrettable near-vulgarities. Celebrity cast. Mature & 14-18. Good." DAR "Beautiful glamorous scenes and interesting features have been introduced to amplify the entertainment. Family." S Calif Council of Fed Church Women "Vaudeville a la cinema. Family. A glamorous, brilliant, swift-moving extravaganza of many stars with occasional scenes of originality and beauty, all of which form the setting for Eleanor Powell's extraordinary dancing." Mrs T. G. Winter Fox W Coast Bui D 12 '36 "Family." Jt Estimates D 1 '36 "A superlative visual entertainment, rich in amusement and beauty. . . Richly produced and excellently directed." + Motion Pict & Family p5 D 15 '36 "An entertaining musical comedy with much dancing and singing, but little plot. . . Lavish scenes, excellent dancing and some most amusing moments. Good. Family." + Motion Pict Guide Ja '37 "With never a dull moment this lavishly produced musical comedy provides hilarious entertainment. A large and well chosen cast are cleverly directed. Family. Outstanding." + + Nat Council of Jewish Women N 1 '36 + + Exceptionally Good; + Good; + — Fair; — + Mediocre; —Poor; Exceptionally Poor