Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1937)

MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST 53 Trade Paper Reviews "[It is] a routine Western drama with the proper admixture of riding, shooting, fighting. Estimate: ordinary." H Phila Exhibitor p33 Mr 1 '37 "Because of its substantial incidental action detail, this film . . . stands a chance of achieving a fair amount of interest. . . On the comedy end the film is deficient and offers only a negligible amount of humor." 4 Variety p!5 Ap 21 '37 LEAGUE OF FRIGHTENED MEN. Columbia 71min My 25 '37 Cast: Walter Connolly. Lionel Stander. Eduardo Ciannelli. Irene Hervey Director: Alfred E. Green Screen writers: Eugene Solow. Guy Endore Based on the novel of the same title by Rex Stout. "Nero Wolfe, the eccentric super-sleuth uncovers the man responsible for a series of murders among a college class of old graduates, members, crippled by a college prank." (Sel Motion Pict) RANGER. Columbia LAW OF THE 57min F 26 '37 Cast: Bob Allen. Elaine Shepard. John Merton Director: Spencer Gordon Bennett A western melodrama. Audience Suitability Ratings "The atmosphere of early frontier life, much fine riding, and the wholesome pleasure felt when right triumphs, all make for an enjoyable Western. Family." E Coast Preview Committee Fox W Coast Bui My 8 '37 "General patronage." Nat Legion of Decency Ap 8 '37 "An enjoyable Western. . . Some beautiful scenery, amusing situations and a pleasant cast add to the enjoyment of a good action picture. Family." 4 Sel Motion Pict plO Ap 1 '37 Trade Paper Reviews "Estimate: satisfactory." + Phila Exhibitor p32 Mr 1 '37 "This is average western fare." -\ Variety p29 Ap 7 '37 Audience Suitability Ratings "Walter Connolly, Eduardo Ciannelli and Irene Hervey give creditable performances in a picture well equipped with suspense, mystery and a measure of comic relief. Nero Wolfe's latest case is recommended as a family puzzle." T. J. Fitzmorris + America p216 Je 5 '37 "General patronage." Nat Legion of Decency My 27 '37 "Although not one of the best of the Nero Wolfe stories, the plot develops consistently, the cast is capable and the solution unexpected. Adults & young people." -\ Sel Motion Pict plO Je '37 "Family." Wkly Guide My 22 '37 Trade Paper Reviews "Hardly any audience likes to watch a character who just sits and thinks. Thus, 'League of Frightened Men' suffers from inactivity." r Variety p27 Je 16 '37 LEFT-HANDED LAW. Universal 62min Ap 18 '37 Cast: Buck Jones. Noel Francis Director: Lesley Selander Based on the novel of the same title by Charles M. Martin. A western melodrama. LAWLESS LAND. Republic 56min N 23 '36 Cast: Johnny Mack Brown. Louise Stanley. Ted Adams Director: Albert Ray A western melodrama. Audience Suitability Ratings "General patronage." Nat Legion of Decency D Trade Paper Reviews '35 "This production is thorough^' unoriginal and consequently lacking in suspense. . . The direction is somewhat spotty and the photography only fair." 1 Film Daily p9 Ap 6 '37 "The second Brown from Republic reveals an improvement. Estimate: okey." + Phila Exhibitor p31 D 1 '36 "It doesn't stack up too strongly. Doesn't have a great deal of action for a Western, and the lightweight plot has been stretched till it grows tedious more than a few times." h Variety p!4 Ap 7 '37 Audience Suitability Ratings "The usual outworn devices and a bit of romance are brought into use before Jones's final success. Poor entertainment. Family." — Motion Pict Guide My '37 "General patronage." Nat Legion of Decency F 11 '37 "[It is] a routine Western. . . The fine riding scenes are the best part of an otherwise dull entertainment. Family." -\ Sel Motion Pict pll Mr 1 '37 Trade Paper Reviews "This is better than some previous Jones' epics. This is suitable mostly for the [children], but fair entertainment also for the grind houses in city-centers." -\ Phila Exhibitor p27 Ap 15 '37 "Hot stuff for the urchins. No adult could take Buck Jones seriously. But he's right up the juvenile alley. . . Story is stereotype." -\ Variety pl3 My 12 '37 "Buck Jones rides again, but in 'Left-Handed Law' he hasn't a vehicle that comes up to the par established by his other Western heman offerings. . . However, the Buck Jones fans may be satisfied." -i Variety (Hollywood) p3 Ap 23 '37 + -f Exceptionally Good; + Good; -\ Fair; f Mediocre; — Poor; Exceptionally Poor