Picturegoer (Jan-Apr 1935)

April 13. 1935 Co-Starred The threat, it is consequently revealed, is merely a publicity stunt by the hero's manager. The dancing, particularly that of Raft and Margo, which occupies about a quarter of the footage, is excellent, although whatever else it is, it is not the real rumba, and to me Carole Lombard is no Pavlova. The dependable Lynn Overman provides the comedy relief as the manager. — M. D. P. Just another Hollywood newspaper picture, which follows the accepted formula of hoisting the ruthless sensation hound on his own petard. Even the fine acting of poor Walter Connolly as the sensation hound in question fails to rescue the story or make the part convincing. White Lies nate's daughter. He appears as John l-rank Mitchell, publisher and editor of The Daily Dispatch, obsessed with the familiar print-thenews-no-matter-whom it-hurts journalistic code. .\s a result of one of his scoops a repentant embezzler, Dan Oliver, is brought to book before he has had time to carry out his intention of returning the money. Mr. Oliver, who is, incidentally, very free in the use of firearms, shoots his way out of court and escapes. The wanted man's penniless fiancee is befriended by Joan Mitchell, the newspaper magThe latter, with a man friend, is arranging an apartment for her when Oliver arrives on the scene and shoots the man. Joan is charged with the crime and things are not going too well for her despite the fact that papa breaks down on the witness stand and confesses that all the trouble was due to his wicked headlines. Terry Condon, a policeman, who is interested in Joan and whose career has been furthered by Mitchell's influence, comes to the rescue, however. The film lacks even the virtue of its kind — good wisecracks. The dialogue is, in fact, dull and uninspired. The story is de\eloped on conventional lines, and we have the policeman hero introduced in the ancient situation of refusing to be bribed by the new spaper proprietor s power or money. The latter role is efficiently played by Victor Jory. Connolly makes the best of a hopeless role and Fay Wray little better served with material as Joan Mitchell. Leslie Fenton is inclined to overact as Oliver. — M. D. P. Slight romantic comedy with one or two tuneful song numbers and ingenuous humour. The flimsy plot is quite skilfully directed by .\nthony Kimmins and is rendered fairly amusing in its by-play and detail. The song numbers are well introduced and the production generally has a certain amount of technical polish. The story tells how John, whose wealthy uncle has decided he must find work, visits Poldavia and meets Princess Sandra, with whom he falls in love. She is betrothed, however, to Prince Michael, and he returns home heartbroken. Later, when he is trying to make a living by selling silk stockings, he meets Sandra again, a mannequin in a costumier's and an exile. Finally, John has a brigh+ *=1ea. The ex-queen " -'blecoc^ PICTUREGOER Weekly There are further complications when Rivers' niece, Diana, daughter of his ex-convict brother, arrives on the scene chased by a blackmailer, and the two families, first fighting and then aiding each other, soon get into a hoix-less tangle, in which Duck, Rowley's timid secretary, plays an important part. However, everything comes right in the end, the hghting Rowleys triumph. The romantic note is struck by Sydney's engagement to Eileen. Tom Walls is a little crude at times as Sir Donald, but apart from this he puts up a characteristic and amusing performa/ice. He is, however, easily eclipsed by Ralph Lynn and Robertson Hare. It is these two comedians, inimitable in their own way, who bring su.stained brightness to the cheery absurdities. The feminine roles are adequately handled by Marie I ohr, Lesley Wareing, and Veronica Rose. Ben Travers has wisely relied on that formula which has proved so successful in the past for the foundation of this farce, and then covers up its conventionalities by decorating it with an abundance of news and hilarious slapstick gags. He keeps the comedy team fed with bright .sicuations and lines, and they in turn do their jobs by seeing that every lively crack registers. The film is quite good fun and capital light entertainment of its type. The rural settings are picturesque, the interiors are decorative and appropriate,' while the knockabout situations, lightly spiced with sex, are neatly timed. — K W. His Majesty and Co. Rather a grim story, unrelieved by much light comedy or sentiment, of the struggle of rival engineers to drive a tunnel under water between New Vork and Brooklyn. Technically sound, well directed and acted. Under picture, which is good "he-man stuff." Pressure jumbo and Shocker. leaders of a gang working under dangerous atmospheric high pressure, are driving a tunnel under East River in rivalry against Nipper Moran. who is operating from the opposite bank. Jumbo's recklessness in keeping his men at work after fire has broken out in the tunnel is checked by Shocker, who gives Jii!J= ^ K.O. in order to clear the gang. Jumbo, later, does not hesit^*^ to rescue Shocker from a ^r>S>^ but bluffs his men a^ in order personally Moran at the r>' ' Satisfied \vith affection