Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1938)

MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST 49 "General patronage." Nat Legion of Decency Ap 7 '38 "A, Y & C: entertaining." + Parents' M pSO Je '38 "Family." Wkly Guide Ap 2 '38 Newspaper and Magazine Reviews "There is more adventure, in a gang of crown-jewel-stealing nobility than you would think possible in the present rather realistic state of international affairs. Francis Lederer makes a charming and of course unoutwitable addition to the top hat and flowing cape school of thievery." B. R. C. N Y Times p21 My 23 '38 Trade Paper Reviews "Entertaining moments are few in this flimsily constructed film. Family." — Boxoffice p67 My 28 '38 "Swift action redeems outmoded romantic melodrama — good double bill material." -| Film Curb p4 Je 4 '38 "Fair romantic adventure gives Francis Lederer opportunity for theatrical heroics." H Film Daily p6 My 25 '38 "Estimate: nicely made program comedydrama." + Phila Exhibitor p97 Mr 15 '38 "Grade 'B' costumer dealing with a mythical country. . . The cast is far superior to the material, but with a few laughs sprinkled through the action and the backgrounds colorful, there is sufficient merit to 'The Lone Wolf in Paris' to get it by on the lighter twin bills." -| Variety pl3 My 25 '38 "Far stretched melodrama done without any effort beyond its budget boundaries, this programmer is less than average entertainment in any territory. It is a mixture of mythology laid in a background definitely reminiscent of the Graustarkian school with a modern touch which fails to click against the romantic background." r Variety (Hollywood) p3 Mr 25 '38 "When the Soviet cinema chooses to rein in its ideological high horse, the result is usually a pleasant canter — like this current importation. . . [It is told] amusingly, and without overmuch political single-footing." + Time p40 My 23 '38 Trade Paper Reviews "In appraisal of its commercial possibilities in this country comparatively little value attaches to this. . . However, the performances of the two boys are often startlingly effective. Family." — Boxoffice p23 My 21 '38 "Amusing story about two small boys will please the Russian fans." + Film Daily p5 My 13 '38 "Somewhat indirectly, Russia offers another 'Potemkin' incident, but it isn't particularly salty box office. Principal appeal will be due to the exceptionally good performances. Rabid Russian partisans may become emotional about this picture, but it's chiefly for this kind of trade, even though there are English titles." + — Variety pl6 My 11 '38 LOOK OUT FOR LOVE. See Girl in the street THE LOST RANCH. Victory 56-60min N 30 '37 Cast: Tom Tyler. Jeanne Martel. Howard Bryant Director: Sam Katzman A western melodrama. Audience Suitability Ratings "General patronage." Nat Legion of Decency Ja 20 '38 Trade Paper Reviews "A grind male audience was apathetic, mate: routine grind Western." [ Phila Exhibitor pl40 Je 1 '38 Esti* LONELY WHITE SAIL. Amkino 85min My 7 '38 Cast: Igor But. Boris Runge. Alexander Melnikov. Svetlana Priadilova Director: Vladimir Legoshin Music: M. Raukhverger Screen writer: Valentin Katayev Based on the novel of the same title by Valentin Katayev. Filmed in Russia with English dialogue. This is a tale of two children who are caught in the revolution of 1905. They aid in the doomed, revolt in Odessa. Audience Suitability Ratings "A: fair; Y & C: little interest or value." -i Christian Century p679 My 25 '38 Newspaper and Magazine Reviews "The Soviet 'Lonely White Sail' turns out to be a fairly pleasant tale." Jesse Zunser H Cue p38 My 14 '38 "[It is] an exciting and humorous screen drama. This new Soviet offering has a good many structural weaknesses, but for all of them it is a refreshing and charming show. The disarming acting of the youngsters, a series of thrilling chase sequences and passages of robust comedy make it a vigorous and constantly entertaining saga of Russian youth." Howard Barnes + NY Herald Tribune p6 My 9 '38 "A drolly amusing tale of two youngsters, 'Lonely White Sail' simply begs to be acclaimed as a 'Huckleberry Finn* of the Soviets, so we might as well call it that." B. R. C. + NY Times pl8 My 7 '38 "Even movie-goers who are not partial to Soviet films will find this one — despite its rambling narrative — an admirably acted blend of appealing humor and stark melodrama." + Newsweek p22 My 30 '38 M MAD ABOUT MUSIC. Universal 96lOOmin F 27 '38 Cast: Deanna Durbin. Herbert Marshall. Gail Patrick. Arthur Treacher. William Frawley Director: Norman Taurog Music: Harold Adamson. Jimmie McHugh Original story: Frederick Kohner. Marcella Burke Screen writers: Bruce Manning. Felix Jackson Deanna Durbin is a pupil in an exclusive school in Switzerland. She is the lonely daughter of a Hollywood actress who cannot admit to a fourteen year old daughter. Miss Durbin invents for herself a fictitious father and when cornered admits before her school mates that he is Herbert Marshall, a composer who has come to the small town for a rest. In the end she introduces him to her mother in Paris and gains him for her step-father. SEE ALSO issue of April 4 Audience Suitability Ratings "A & Y: very good; C: good." + + Christian Century p446 Ap 6 '38 "Delightful entertainment. Family." Am Legion Auxiliary "Outstanding social drama. Family." Calif Fed of Business & Professional Women's Clubs "Delightful entertainment. Family." E Coast Preview Committee "Inescapably entertaining for all ages. Family." Gen Fed of Women's Clubs (W Coast)