Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1937)

114 MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST TENTH MAN. Gaumont British 65min My 15 '37 Cast: John Lodge. Antoinete Cellier. Athole Stewart Director: Brian Desmond Hurst Screen writers: Marjorie Deans. Geoffrey Kerr Based on the play of the same title by W. Somerset Maugham. Filmed in England. "The lead, John Lodge, becomes involved in some financial manipulations. He figures nine out of every ten men are knaves or fools, that the tenth man is the one who will upset him. This eventually happens after he overcomes practically all odds including scandal, heavy election competition, etc." (Phila Exhibitor) See issue of September 27, 1937 for other reviews of this film Neivspaper and Magazine Revieivs " 'The Tenth Man,' which is said to be from a play by Somerset Maugham, most woefully lacks that gentleman's accustomed punch. . . It is all very much cold tea." B. C. — NY Times pl5 N 15 '37 "John Lodge, the young English actor, gives biting force to Maugham's caustic aphorisms on love and life." N Y World-Telegram pl9 N 18 '37 Trade Paper Reviews "Why they released this British production on this side is rather a mystery. . . The story is told with a heavy hand, is filled with long and tedious speeches, and the actors express their emotions with violent facial contortions in close-ups, some of which are so close that part of the face cannot get on the screen." — Film Daily pll N 17 '37 "An out-of-the-rut melodrama that relies wholly for its color and psychological interest on some fine dramatics from John Lodge. Hastily thrown together, with nondescript dialogue and continuity that meanders, the script nevertheless retains something of the cumulative tension of the original." Hollywood Reporter p5 Ag 29 '37 + Motion Pict Daily p4 Ag 25 '37 "If John Lodge had a name big enough to draw business, this would be a first-rate feature, but as is picture should prove an excellent programmer here [London] and second spotter on dual bills in America." Variety p21 S 2 '37 TEX RIDES WITH THE BOY SCOUTS. Grand national 66min O 29 '37 Cast: Tex Ritter. Marjorie Reynolds. Snub Pollard Director: Ray Taylor Original story: Lindsley Parsons Screen writer: Edmund Kelso A western melodrama. Made with the official sanction of the Boy Scouts of America. Audience Suitability Ratings "A routine Western plot gains a touch of novelty through the introduction of a Boy Scout hero. Scenes in a Scout Camp, showing the Scouts at work and play, preface the story and add considerably to the interest and entertainment value of a film which in other respects is only average." Family." E Coast Preview Committee h Fox W Coast Bui N 20 '37 "General patronage." Nat Legion of Decency D 2 '37 "Family." Sel Motion Pict pl2 D 1 '37 Newspaper and Magazine Reviews "The Central drifts into its old slump again with 'Tex Rides With the Boy Scouts.' The mental level of this opus is probably lower than that of the youngest Scout in the supporting troop — who we would judge isn't a day over 7." B. R. C. — NY Times p21 N 27 '37 Trade Paper Reviews "Except for ample exploitation opportunities, this picture offers very little to the exhibitor. It is below average in Westerns, spottily directed and shy on action. Family." r Boxoffice p29 N 20 '37 "Western with a boy scout troop featured has swell appeal for [juveniles]." -f Film Daily p6 N 2 '37 + Motion Pict Daily N 2 '37 "Tex Ritter's first in the new series has strong exploitation possibilities. As far as production goes, it is up to the usual average; its main strength is the scout angle." + Phila Exhibitor p41 N 15 '37 "This is a miss. . . It makes no effort to exploit the Scout movement. In fact, in one scene it ridicules it. Final print could stand some pruning, especially in the usual chase shots. As is, it's dull entertainment." — Variety pl5 N 3 '37 TEXAS TRAIL. Paramount 56min N 26 '37 Cast: William Boyd. George Hayes. Russeli Hayden. Judith Allen Director: Dave Selman Screen writer: Jack O'Donnell A western melodrama; fourth in the Hopalong Cassidy series. Based on the novel of same title by C. E. Mulford. Audience Suitability Ratings "Fast moving, suspenseful Western. Family." Am Legion Auxiliary "A well acted and adequately directed Western, with plenty of excitement and action. Family." Calif Cong of Par & Teachers "Many will thrill to the stampede and the galloping horses of the cavalry as they race to the rescue. Family." Calif Fed of Business & Professional Women's Clubs "Mediocre. Family." DAR "An excellent family picture." Nat Soc of New England Women "An intensely interesting and commendable Western in which the theme of the story is strongly exemplified, that there are other ways of doing one's duty to one's country in time of war than in active service with stripes on one's sleeves. Good family entertainment." S Calif Council of Fed Church Women Fox W Coast Bui O 16 '37 "Well worth seeing by all who enjoy this type. Family and junior matinee." + Gen Fed of Women's Clubs (W Coast) O 6 '37 "This is an unassuming program film which is nevertheless fast moving and convincing, with a likable hero, less romance than usual, gorgeous scenery, and fine riding. Adolescents, 12-16: entertaining; children, 8-12: good if not too stimulating." -f Motion Pict R p8 N '37 + + Exceptionally Good; -f Good; -J Fair; p Mediocre; — Poor; Exceptionally Poor