Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1937)

MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST 33 "[It] is a savagely derisive expose' of conventional medical ethics, fairly screaming the sort of hospital anecdotes which upright members of the profession refrain even from whispering. Its casting is as daring as its contention. Producer B. P. Schulberg has staffed it almost entirely with unknown players. . . David Boehm's hard-hitting screen play is far better craftsmanship than the ponderous directorship of Charles Vidor." Time p45 F 1 '37 Trade Paper Reviews "D. P. Schulberg has produced a vivid, compelling document which by virtue of the very sincerity with which it depicts its theme has limited its own appeal. Family." H Box Office p25 Ja 30 '37 "Of far more importance than the adroit screen play is the promise shown by John Trent, the former air-pilot. With more acting experience he will emerge as a definite screen personality for he has a pleasing charm and rugged good looks. Although there are moments of excitement and drama in this story of hospital life, the theme is a familiar one." H Film Daily p3 Ja 23 '37 " 'A Doctor's Diary' emerges as swell dramatic entertainment through all-around good craftsmanship in all departments. It is top program fare and, had the picture more recognized box office names to play with, it could be counted on for smash business. Despite this name lack, however, it can be assured of excellent grosses. Outstanding is the launching of a newcomer to the screen, John Trent, who is definitely star material." -f Hollywood Reporter p3 Ja 19 '37 + Motion Pict Daily p3 Ja 25 '37 "Good entertainment, 'A Doctor's Diary' should be helped by favorable word of mouth comment despite lack of marquee names. . . Negligence angle is bound to create controversy in medical quarters. Exhibitors can get behind this one for neat profits." -f Phila Exhibitor p39 F 1 '37 "Though anything but forthright in following out its theme, 'A Doctor's Diary' packs enough drama to hold attention. Fans with a yen for hospital scenes and the exhibitions of emotional agony which go with them should find the picture to their liking, while the average woman will derive much flavor from the presence of John Trent, newcomer to the screen. . . Pursued logically and relentlessly, the production's thesis might have scored major interest as a social document. Instead it turns aside before the probing gets too hot, develops into a tepid critique of the medical profession." H Variety pl7 F 24 '37 "Tense drama of the hospital wards, produced with heat and courage, played with fidelity and vigorously directed, 'A Doctor's Diary' is a highly meritorious offering. . . Film deals almost entirely with physical and spiritual agonies, and in this will lie the picture's entertainment limitations. Sense of reality is grippingly sustained." + — Variety (Hollywood) p3 Ja 19 '37 DON'T PULL YOUR PUNCHES. Warner 60min Mr 13 '37 Cast: Barton MacLane. June Travis. Wayne Morris. James Robbins Director: B. Reeves Eason "The story is that of a Texas cowboy, stranded in New York, who gets into a fight with a ranking pug after the latter has mistreated a little newsboy. The street brawl takes him to the prize ring, where he wins one fight after another and heads for the championship, left vacant by retirement. In the meantime he falls in love with the sister of the other top heavyweight, who has been his benefactor and who owns his contract." Variety (Hollywood) Audience Suitability Ratings "Interesting for its atmosphere of the prize fight ring. Family." Am Legion Auxiliary "The picture stresses good sportsmanship, it has plenty of action and some good comedy. Acting and direction are fair. Adults & 8-18: fair. Family." Calif Cong of Par & Teachers "Men will enjoy this prize-ring story. Mediocre. Mature & 14-18." DAR "[It has] a negligible plot. . . Will appeal to men and boys. Acting fair and atmosphere wholesome. Family." Nat Soc of New England Women Fox W Coast Bui Ja 30 '37 "[It is] well produced and capably directed. . . The ringside comedy and good humor prevailing at most times will appeal largely to men and boys. Adults." Gen Fed of Women's Clubs (W Coast) Ja 18 '37 "Family." Jt Estimates Ja 15 '37 "The picture though unimportant is good light entertainment for all who have interest in prize-fighting. Adolescents, 12-16: good; children, 8-12: little interest." H Motion Pict R p6 F '37 "[It is a] run-of-the-mill boxing story. . . Some exciting fight scenes and a precocious, talented little boy named Dickie Jones lend interest. Family." -| Nat Council of Jewish Women Ja 20 '37 "General patronage." Nat Legion of Decency F 11 '37 "A, Y & C: entertaining especially for men and boys." Parents' M p46 Ap '37 Newspaper and Magazine Reviews "Another Bryan Foy high-grade programmer." Rob Wagner + Script plO F 6 '37 Trade Paper Reviews "Those dyed-in-the-wool boxing fans who like their heroes rough, tough and ready, will like this picture. It is not aimed at the class bracket, but it may rate top billing in some situations. Family." + Box Office p25 Ja 30 '37 "A fairly entertaining story of professional prizefighting built on familiar lines but picturized with a snap, a realism and a measure of roughneck comedy dialog that will give hearty satisfaction to the action fans, especially the young ones, in the less selective areas. It can be rated average dual fodder." H Hollywood Reporter p4 Ja 19 '37 H Motion Pict Daily pl3 Ja 22 '37 "Estimate: okey programmer, short on names." -| Phila Exhibitor p43 F 1 '37 " 'Don't Pull Your Punches' is good entertainment in the low-cost-picture field and should get an appreciative reaction from an audience throughout. Devoid of box office names, it has a cast which comes through with good performances." + Variety (Hollywood) p3 Ja 19 '37 DON'T TELL THE WIFE. RKO 63min Mr 19 '37 Cast: Guy Kibbee. Una Merkel. Lynne Overman. Thurston Hall Director: Christy Cabanne Based on the play, Once Over Lightly, by George Holland. A former racketeer wishing to prove to his w-ife that his crooked gold + + Exceptionally Good; -f Good; 4 Fair; 1 Mediocre; — Poor; Exceptionally Poor