Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1937)

32 MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND— Continued "Familiar story material made to seem new, fresh by first-class performances of Dix, Morris, Del Rio, this has thrilling, authentic-appearing submarine, undersea shots. It should get some money with its okey cast, exploitable angles. Estimate: fair program." H Phila Exhibitor p38 F 1 '37 "Three scripters are credited with achieving this unoriginal and familiar gob drama. Some sub-sea camera trickery gives the film a lift. . . For the uppers and lowers." -\ Variety pl4 F 17 '37 "Picture is a sufficiently absorbing melodrama for duals. Story is threadbare, but presents interesting scenes and angles in a manner to command audience attention." H Variety (Hollywood) p3 F 11 '37 A DOCTOR'S DIARY. Paramount 75min F 5 '37 Cast: John Trent. Ruth Coleman. George Bancroft. Helen Burgess Director: Charles Vidor "As the young hero doctor, Trent has to suffer part of the undeserved consequences when the directorate of a great hospital permits a charity patient, a young violin genius, to lose the use of his bow arm through delayed operation. The case results in trial of the institution and its resident surgeon for criminal neglect." Variety (Hollywood) Audience Suitability Ratings "There is not a great deal of novelty in the plot but there are moments of illuminating pathos and the whole is worked out with a measure of suspense and interest. . . The picture is recommended for family entertainment." + America p432 F 6 '37 "A & Y: fairly good; C: little value." Christian Century pl98 F 10 '37 "An educational and interesting story of the many ethical problems which confront the members of the medical profession. Family-mature." Am Legion Auxiliary "Adults: interesting; 8-18: no." Calif Cong of Par & Teachers "Mature." Calif Fed of Business & Professional Women's Clubs "An unjust slur on the ethics of the medical profession spoils this otherwise interesting, well cast story. Adults. Mediocre." DAR "Vividly presented, this expose may be resented by physicians. Adults." Nat Soc of New England Women "Stressing too much the unfortunate fact that there are a few medical men who fail to maintain the high standards of their profession, this picture has an unfortunate theme and is unworthy to be shown as a criterion of the medical profession. Physicians would be justified in requesting the withdrawal of this picture. It is unethical and of poor social value. However it is well acted, the photography is good and hospital and surgery scenes are interesting. Mature." S Calif Council of Fed Church Women Fox W Coast Bui Ja 30 '37 "An interesting and highly entertaining picture, due to the unusual theme and its buildup through the insertion of appealing and sympathetic incidents. . . The direction [is] for the most part very good and the photography at all times satisfactory. (A picture that will provoke discussion.)" + Gen Fed of Women's Clubs (W Coast) Ja 18 '37 "Unfortunately, to the general public, the picture is dramatic enough to carry conviction. Actually it uses the rare, deplorable circumstances to discredit the medical profession as a whole. While some audiences may possibly enjoy the delusion that they are at last hearing the truth about hospitals, others will not only detect the minor absurdities in this production but will actually resent the falsity of its conclusions. Adolescents, 12-16 & children, 8-12: no." — Motion Pict R p5 F '37 "Many dramatic incidents behind the walls of a hospital make engrossing entertainment adequately enacted by a satisfactory cast. Carelessness in the writing and direction of several minor scenes, and an unconvincing solution detract from an otherwise thought-provoking and interesting picture, which subtly presents a need for socialized medicine. Mature." -I Nat Council of Jewish Women Ja 20 '37 "General patronage." Nat Legion of Decency Ja 21 '37 "A: unusual; Y: mature; C: unsuitable." Parents' M p46 Ap '37 "The story is told in a sincere, convincing manner, with suspense well sustained and the climax a dramatic one. Mature." + Sel Motion Pict p4 F 1 '37 "Interesting story though it might be resented by the medical profession. Mature." Wkly Guide Ja 16 '37 Newsjiaper and Magazine Reviews "Professionals in real life will call preposterous such a situation as that forming the basis of the plot." J. P. Cunningham Commonweal p584 Mr 19 '37 "John Trent's playing in 'A Doctor's Diary' is so adept that it is difficult to believe he was a transport pilot until a few months ago." Cue p46 F 27 '37 " 'A Doctor's Diary,' has been handed over to novices in screen acting. . . From their standpoint, the photoplay is a considerable triumph, if a decidedly routine offering on its own account. Mr. Trent, in particular, plays the part of a harried doctor with remarkable assurance and appears to be off to an auspicious career." Howard Barnes H NY Herald Tribune pl9 F 17 '37 "Since no one in the production unit appears to have taken 'A Doctor's Diary' seriously, there really is no reason why we or the members of the medical profession should be upset about it. . . It is merely superficial indignation, no more convincing than the performances which express it. . . [It] provides a casual introduction to the screen's latest leading man, John Trent, former transport pilot. Mr. Trent is square-jawed, rangy and solidly masculine. Eventually he may deteriorate and become an actor as well." F. S. Nugent h N Y Times pl6 F 17 '37 "It is not a complimentary picture of the medical profession that the film paints . . . but it is a frequently exciting one. However, just when you think the film is about to become genuinely sincere in its attempt to expose certain questionable medical ethics, it loses its nerve and goes spuriously melodramatic." William Boehnel H NY World-Telegram p25 F 17 '37 " 'A Doctor's Diary' is artistically the least important film of the week." Russell Maloney h New Yorker p72 F 27 '37 "Sincerity and frankness mark this routine film which rakes the medical profession over the coals. . . John Trent — a newcomer to the screen — shows surprising assurance." -j News-Wk p24 F 27 '37 + + Exceptionally Good; + Good; -J Fair; — + Mediocre; — Poor; Exceptionally Poor