Photoplay (Jul - Dec 1936)

THE NATIONAL GUIDE TO MOTION PICTURES ti DANCING PIRATE— Pioneer "TTIE most magnificent and effective use of color yet shown * on the screen is given you in this slight tale of a dancing master who is shanghaied to become a member of a pirate crew in the year 1820. The scenic shots have the penetrating brilliance of a Maxfield Parrish canvas while the closeups and middle shots glow with the glorious browns, golds, deep reds and greens of a Rembrandt. From beginning to end it is an artistic thrill and a visual delight. With this debut Charles Collins makes his bid for the top favor Fred Astaire's magic feet have won him. The rivalry should be keen since Collins possesses the same grace and abandon in dance. Acting honors, however, go to Frank Morgan as the befuddled Alcalde of the little pirate-besieged village; his provocative comedy saves an otherwise dullish plot. Steffi Duna appeals as Morgan's dance-loving daughter. By all means see "Dancing Pirate"; it is a genuine treat. ^ SINS OF MAN— 20th Century-Fox TVEFIANTLY dreary throughout, this sordid picture slips *^Over the invisible line between art and hokum to become one of the most dramatic productions in a decade. Story begins in 1900 with Jean llersholt as a simple Tyrolian sexton who will not face the mechanical progress his elder son advocates. The son goes to America, and llersholt follows him there to arrange a cure for his younger boy, who was born deaf. The War comes, stranding the father and reducing him to beggary. Tribulation upon trial is met by the sexton with careful faith, so that the nearly happy ending justifies his invincible faith in God. llersholt gives a moving, sincere performance in the lei role ol his career, and new-comer Don Ameehe. who plays both of the sons, is a real find. Romance and the usual formula for interest are ignored, but you won't mind Be sure to see this. 50 Trl! SHADOW STAGE A Review of Ihe New Pictures ft ANTHONY ADVERSE— Warners 7V GREAT step forward in entertainment has been made **■ with the picture "Anthony Adverse." Compact, yet simple and moving, the story of a man's soul and mind is laid bare, its emotions and struggles unraveling with magnificent simplicity. Born of an illicit love, the babj Anthony is placed in a girl's convent where he remains until ten years of age. By bate he is apprenticed to a mighty merchant. Bonnyfeather, the father of his mother who suspects his identity. In these surroundings he grows to manhood loving, evenstep of the way, Angela, the daughter of the cook. Later, in Paris, at the height of Napoleon's reign. Anthony marries 1 ngela only to be separated by a business trip which sends him from Cuba to Africa, where he finds power and wealth as a slave trader. Through an old priest whom he has befriended, he finds here in the jungle the spiritual lesson of life. Money and power lose their significance and hunger for soul-satisfying things drives him back home. He finds he has been left a legacj by his benefactor, Bonnyfeather, and with it come treachen and betrayal, ^.gain he meets Angela only to find she ha become a great prima donna and friend of Napoleon. I Ie claims his small son for his own and together the two sel off for new worlds, new dreams, determined to perpetuate the name of Adverse, one born of Adversity. Fredric March, as Adverse, Olivia de llavilland a 1 and all the superb cast give flawless performances.