Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1937)

38 MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST FAIR WARNING. 20th century-Fox 7()min Mr 12 '37 Cast: J. Edward Bromberg. Betty Furness. John Howard Payne. Billy Burrud Director: Norman Foster Based on the novel, Death in Paradise Canyon, by Philip Wylie. Film formerly called Without Warning-. A murder mystery set in an exclusive inn in Death Valley, California. Audience Suitability Ratings "Story development is good and suspense is maintained without being too gruesome. Familymature." Am Legion Auxiliary •14: no." Calif Cong "Adults & 14-18: fair; of Par & Teachers "Very good. Mature." Calif Fed of Business & Professional Women's Clubs "Mediocre. Mature & 14-18." DAR "[It is] a well constructed mystery story. Audiences over 14." Nat Soc of New England Women "Absorbing and suspenseful, this well directed and photographed picture will afford good mature entertainment." S Calif Council of Fed Church Women Fox W Coast Bui Ja 30 '37 "Romance adds to the interest of the picture, which is well cast and directed and beautifully photographed. Especially lovely are the desert scenes. Entertaining for a mature audience, but rather tense for children." + Gen Fed of Women's Clubs (W Coast) Ja 22 '37 "The story is a little slow in getting under way and never does attain sufficient speed, and the characterizations are sketchy. The casual attitude towards death makes the tale less harrowing and at the same time less convincing. Adolescents, 12-16: yes; children, 8-12: not objectionable." — + Motion Pict R p4 Mr '37 "Family." Nat Council of Jewish Women Ja 20 '37 "General patronage." Nat Legion of Decency Mr 11 '37 'A & Y: fair melodrama; C Parents' M p46 Ap '37 possible. "[It is] a well constructed mystery story. Mature." + Sel Motion Pict p6 F 1 '37 Newspaper and Magazine Reviews "I always have liked Norman Foster's acting. Never inspired, it always was dependable and sincere. His first job as a director is of the same order — not inspired, but dependable. . . All the performances would have been more effective if the direction of the dialogue had shown more regard for the mood of the story." H Hollywood Spec pl2 Ja 16 '37 Trade Paper Reviews "A slow-moving detective-murder drama, bolstered up into the weak 'B' class by beautiful scenic shots and a novel background, this directorial debut of Norman Foster is hardly slated for big things. . . The picture was obviously made in a hurry and was designed for no better than second feature fare on dual programs, in which category it will do no more than suffice. The air of mystery is maintained satisfactorily throughout, but the climax disclosing the killer's identity lacks logic and is disappointing. Family." H Box Office p23 Ja 16 '37 "A new type of sleuth, with a lively small boy as deputy, and a Death Valley locale give an air of freshness to this formula crime-hunt thriller, which is well up to the average of its kind and will keep the habitues in the neighborhoods guessing. . . The use of actual Death Valley locations gives a colorful pictorial background to the crowded action, and Sidney Wagner at the camera makes the most of the exceptional opportunities." + Hollywood Reporter p3 Ja 11 '37 + Motion Pict Daily plO Ja 12 '37 "Cast is adequate. Best suited for a dual program, its eerie appeal will no doubt thrill the youngsters. Lack of names will prove a handicap, but picture does hold one's interest. Estimate: okey for duals." -{ Phila Exhibitor p42 F 1 '37 "A [mystery] that maintains a definite air of suspense throughout, with the solution a complete surprise, 'Without Warning,' is a murder mystery that should prove satisfactory entertainment on the duals. Produced on low cost budget and cast with capable players, although totally devoid of marquee draw names, picture emerges as good Class B product." H Variety (Hollywood) p3 Ja 11 '37 FIND THE WITNESS. Columbia 57min Ja 8 '37 Cast: Charles Quigley. Rosalind Keith. Henry Mollison. Rita La Roy Director: David Selman "When a temperamental opera star is found murdered, suspicion points to her secretary, with whom she had quarreled violently. The star's estranged husband has a perfect alibi. A magician, he had spent three hours in a watertight coffin, 25 feet below the surface of the sea, with crowds looking on. Reporter Quigley, out to disprove the alibi, proceeds to duplicate the stunt before witnesses, having arranged with a diver to liberate him." Phila Exhibitor Audience Suitability Ratings "A: hardly; T: fairly good; C: doubtful." Christian Century p366 Mr 17 '37 "The suspense element so necessary to this type of film is consistently maintained with no flagging at any point in the story. Not a great film, but a decidedly good one, packed with dramatic moments that steadily build to a surprise climax. Adults & young people." E Coast Preview Committee + Fox W Coast Bui Ja 23 '37 "General patronage." Nat Legion of Decency Ja 14 '37 "A & Y: moderately entertaining melodrama; C: no." Parents' M p46 Ap '37 "A smart comedy mystery with an ingenious plot and a skilful and credible unraveling of its problem. Adults & young people." + Sel Motion Pict p9 F 1 '37 Trade Paper Reviews + Motion Pict Daily p5 F 26 '37 "Somewhat better than average double bill material, as far as audience appeal is concerned, lack of names strictly limits this one's box office value. This is a murder mystery with a fresh twist, genuinely exciting climax. Estimate: pleasing for neighborhoods, twin bills." + Phila Exhibitor p60 Ja 15 '37 + + Exceptionally Good; + Good; -{ Fair; \ Mediocre; Poor; Exceptionally Poor