Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1938)

MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST 51 Trade Paper Reviews + Motion Pict Daily p4 Ap 18 '38 "This top spot dualler can hold its own in many situations. . . Audience reaction was very good. Estimate: good comedy drama; should satisfy the customers." + Phila Exhibitor pll7 Ap 15 '38 "An interesting story, a fool-proof script, Busby Berkeley's capable direction and a splendid job of casting have combined to elevate this comedy drama above the class for which it was designated, with the result that it will hold up its end on any double bill regardless of the type of audience before which it is unfurled. In fact, exhibitors facing a shortage of A's, need have no fear in planting it in the featured position on any dualer, for it is pure entertainment from start to finish." + Variety (Hollywood) p3 Ap 7 '&8 MERRILY WE LIVE. Roach-MGM 909Smin Mr 4 '38 Cast: Constance Bennett. Brian Aherne. Alan Mowbray. Billie Burke. Bonita Granville. Tom Brown. Patsy Kelly Director: Norman Z. McLeod Music director: Marvin Hatley Screen writers: Eddie Moran. Jack Jevne Brian Aherne portrays a novelist who is mistaken for a tramp by Billie Burke, wealthy eccentric, whose passion it is to coddle tramps. Aherne allows himself to become a family servant rather than to attempt explanations. He has a hard time getting on with the temperamental family and the other servants and after an amusing series of adventures, wins the hand of the debutante daughter. SEE ALSO issue of April 4 Audience Suitability Ratings "While the situations are absurd and the fun is fast and furious, the story never get entirely out of leash as frequently happens in these modern comedies. Perhaps it is because the parts are so well taken. Adolescents, 1216: good; children, 8-12: too mature." + Motion Pict R p9 Ap '38 "A, Y & C: excellent." + -f Parents' M p64 My '38 Newspaper and Magazine Reviews " 'Merrily We Live' is madder even than 'My Man Godfrey,' a comedy that was the parent of several cockeyed affairs. . . [It] makes for an enjoyable hour or so." Mordaunt Hall + Boston Transcript p7 My 14 '38 "Not so funny as 'My Man Godfrey,' the new slapstick farce has its points. Adults and young people." + Christian Science Monitor pl7 My 21 '38 "It's quite mad, but good entertainment." + Film Wkly p23 Mr 26 '38 "Personally we had believed we couldn't sit through another screw-ball comedy, but this one, as mad as they come, is gorgeous entertainment, being, underneath all its merriment, a most romantic story peopled with utterly delightful characters." (3^ stars) Ruth AYaterbury Liberty p45 Ap 9 '38 Reviewed by Katharine Best Stage p55 Ap .'38 MR. MOTO'S GAMBLE. 20th centuryFox 60min Mr 25 '38 Cast: Peter Lorre. Keye Luke. Dick Baldwin. Lynn Bari. Harold Huber. Maxie Rosenbloom Director: James Tinling Music director: Samuel Kaylin Original story: Charles Belden. Jerry Cady A mystery story based on the character created by John P. Marquand. Fourth in the Mr Moto series. Audience Suitability Ratings "A: crude; Y & C: no." r Christian Century p710 Je 1 '38 "Some new ideas for murder and its solution help to make the story entertaining although decidedly overburdened with details and confused in spots. Destructive ethical standards. Adults." Am Legion Auxiliary "A murder mystery with a prizefight setting, limited audience appeal, good production and rather obvious plot. Adults." Calif Cong of Par & Teachers "Adults." Calif Fed of Business & Professional Women's Clubs "Mediocre. Obvious, unsuspenseful story. Mature." DAR "Entertaining for those who enjoy this type which has the added thrill of exciting, realistic boxing scenes. Mature." Gen Fed of Women's Clubs (W Coast) "Rather involved mystery with a slow-moving story. Mature." Nat Council of Jewish Women "Ethical values somewhat mixed. Mature." Nat Soc of New England Women "Mature." S Calif Council of Fed Church Women "While this is an exciting mystery tale with an adequate amount of suspense, it is lacking in highlights, and the part assigned to Mr. Moto is not as clever or as well developed as usual. . . Adolescents: questionable ethics; children: no. Adults." Women's Univ Club, Los Angeles Fox W Coast Bui Ap 2 '38 "Adults." Nat Legion of Decency Ap 7 '38 "A & Y: good; C: unsuitable." + Parents' M p80 Je '38 "Family." Wkly Guide Ap 2 '38 Newspaper and Magazine Reviews "The many picture-goers throughout our fair land who await 'Mr. Moto's Gamble' or are destined to see it willy-nilly as it is offered in conjunction with another film, will find it one of the best of the Moto series. The picture has a good deal of fast action, an interestsustaining plot, and some first-rate production values." 4 Hollywood Spec plO Mr 26 '38 "As a rule, it is not very flattering to observe that a picture has been slapped together. But, in the case of 'Mr. Moto's Gamble' any less emphasis on the slap would have made it a less happy effort. For two fast and furious sequences of prize-ring semi-slaughter and a generous lot of mauling by the way are the only substantial sources of entertainment in an otherwise unexciting film." B. C. H NY Times pl7 Ap 8 '38 Time p38 Mr 28 '38 Trade Paper Reviews "Increasing in excellence with every new appearance, Mr. Moto seems set to rank with Charlie Chan as one of the screen's most popular detectives and one that will be a draw in any house. Family." + Boxoffice p21 Mr 19 '38 "Best of the Mr. Moto series to date — will entertain general audiences." + Film Curb pl2 My 7 '38 "Fast-paced murder mystery with good prize fight atmosphere makes for popular entertainment. . . The production also represents a nice writing job, with a well knit story that moves forward and keeps building suspense and is filled with unexpected twists and surprises." + Film Daily p6 Ap 11 '38 "This one has more appeal to grown-up patrons. It should please old followers, gain some new ones. Audience reaction was good." + Phila Exhibitor pl08 Ap 1 '38 "Romance and comedy are well interwoven as Moto in his latest, solves a ring murder. Okay action, and the story is atmosphered with the usual fight game addicts, cops, gamblers, bookies and trainers, besides women." + Variety pl5 Ap 13 '38