Picturegoer (Jan-Jun 1938)

PICTUREGOER Weekly REVIEWS by Lionel Collier c***HEIDI ■Zitth Century-Fox. American. " V certificate Romantic period melodrama. Runs 82 minutes. Shirley Temple Heidi Ieas Hersholt Adolph Kramer Arthur Treacher Andrews Helen Westlv Blind Anna Pauline Moore Elsa Thomas Beck Pastor Schultz Mary Nash Franlein Rottenmeier Sidney Bi ackmer Sesemann Mady Christians Dete Sic Ri mann Police Captain Marcia Mae Jones Klara Sesemann Delmar Watson Peter Econ Brecher _ Inn Keeper Christian Rib Baker George Humbert Organ Grinder Directed by Allan Dwan. From the story by Johanna Spyri. Rather old-fashioned in design and outlook, this picture nevertheless is bound to find favour with Shirley Temple's numerous fans. She acts like a veteran and still retains her charm of childishness. Incidentally, she is supported by a very strong and capable cast, all of whom show to advantage. Shirley is cast as Heidi, a little Swiss girl, who is delivered into the hands of her tyrannical grandfather by her ruthless Aunt Dete. Her charm, however, soon softens the old gentleman, but just as her conquest is complete, Aunt Dete kidnaps her and takes her to a big house in Frankfurt. Meanwhile, grandfather has come to Frankfurt in search of Heidi, and the two are reunited on Christmas Eve after much harrowing ado, thereby supplying a picturesque prelude to the happiest of happy end c**SPRINGTIME IN THE ROCKIES British Lion. Republic. Western musical comedy. Runs GO minutes. Gene Ai.'try Gene Smiley Burnette Frog Polly Kowles Sandra L'la Love Silly Sylvia Ruth Bacon Peggy Jane Hi nt Jane George Chesebro Morgan Alan Bridge Briggs Tom London Tracy Edward Hearn Thorpe Frankie Marvin Frankie William Hole Bub Edmund Cobb Sheriff Fred Burns...: Harris Jimmy's Saddle Pals Orchestra Directed bv Joe Hane from original screen play by Gilbert Wright and Betty Burbridge. Good Western fare enlivened by songs and a stronger feminine influence than is usually found in pictures of its type. Gene Autry, besides attractive vocally, is very good as the foreman of a ranch whose new owner turns out to be a girl from a farming college. She brings two friends with her and misunderstands Autry 's endeavours to keep her from selling her land to a bunch of crooks. The comedy is bright and there is plenty of virile action. c**THE RETURN OF THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL I'niled Artists. British. "(.'" certificate. Romantic period drama. Runs 1)2 minutes. Barry Barnes Sir Percy Blakeney Sophie Stewart Marguerite, his wife Margaretta Scott Theresia Cabarrus James Mason Jean Tallien Francis Lister Chauveliu Anthony Bi shell Sir Andrew Ffoulkes Patrick Barr Lord Hastings David Tree Lord (Harry) Denning John Counsell Sir John Selton Henry Oscar Robespierre Hugh Miller De Calmet, his secretary Allan Jeayes Judge of the Tribunal O. B. Clarence De Marre George Merritt Chief of the Police Evelyn Roberts Prince of Wales Esme Percy Sheridan, the Playwright Edmund Breon Colonel Winterbottom Frank Allenby Professor Wilkins Directed by Hans Schwartz from the story by Baroness Orciy. Previewed January 1">, 1 l>."tlS This sequel to The Scarlet Pimpernel lacks most of the thrills and surprises which were a feature of its forerunner. It is impossible to believe wholly in the characters, and while Barry Barnes is good, he does not bring the daring adventurer to life with nearly so much conviction as did Leslie Howard. As a matter of fact, Barry Barnes is not well cast and he is handicapped by the ridiculous disguises he is given, most of which include a nose of Cyrano proportions. The plot deals with Chauvelin's attempts to trap Sir Percy by kidnapping his wife, transporting her to Paris and having her condemned to death. Sophie Stewart is good as Lady Blakeney and displays a pleasing quietness of charm, and Margaretta Scott scores as the actress Chauvelin uses to trap the Pimpernel. Francis Lister is far too bluff and obvious to suggest the cunning Chauvelin. I would sooner have seen Hugh Miller, who does extremely well in a small role, play the part. The best scenes are those round the guillotine which appeared in the first picture, but generally technical qualities are very good. c**THE LAST ADVENTURERS Sound City. British. " U " certificate. Fishing port drama. Runs 77 minutes. Niall MacGinnis Jeremy Bowker Roy Emerton John Arkell Linden Travers Ann Arkell Kay Walsh Margaret Arkell Peter Gawthorne Fergus Arkell Katie Johnson Susan Arkell Johnnie Schofield Mate Stalky Norah Howard Mary Allen Ballard Berkley Fred Delvin Esma Cannon Polly Shepherd Billy Shine Joe Hanson Tony Wilde W. O. "Glory Be" Howard Douglas Jason Bernard Ansell Cook Directed by Roy Kellino. Adapted from the story by Dennison Clift. The documentary side of this picture is stronger than the dramatic, and provides a thrilling glimpse of the work of the Grimsby trawlers. Camera work is particularly good and the authentic atmosphere is a great asset. The story deals with Jeremy Bowker, a young Scottish fisherman, who is saved from a watery grave by John Arkell, skipper of a Grimsby boat. He falls in love with John's daughter, Anne, and John gives him a job, but Margaret, daughter of Ferguson Arkell, John's wealthy brother, throws her cap at him, parts him by trickery from Anne, and persuades him to sign up as mate on her father's new steam trawler. A feud of long standing exists between John and Ferguson, the latter having cheated John out of bis rightful inheritance, and this is heightened by current events. However, Ferguson's boat, with the owner on board, is wrecked during its maiden trip, and all hatchets are buried when John sails to the rescue. Niall McGinnis is easily natural as Jeremy and Linden Travers makes a pretty heroine, as well as a sympathetic one. c** VARSITY SHOW Warner. American. " C " certificate. Collegiate musical comedy. Runs HHminutes. Dick Powell Charles "Chuck" Dalv Ted Healy William William's Fred Waring Ernie Mason Rosemary Lane. ...Barbara "Babs" Stewart Priscilla Lane Bettv Bradley Walter Catlett ...Professor Sylvester Biddle Johnny Davis Buzz Bolton Buck and Bubbles Buck and Bubbles Lee Dixon.. ..Johnny " Rubberlegs" Stevens Sterling Holloway „. Trout Mabel Todd Cuddles ' Scott y Bates Scotty Halliwell Hobbes Dean Meredith Pole y McClintock Poley Ed Brophy Mike Barclay Roy Atwell Professor Washburn Emma Dunn Mrs. Smith Ben Welden Hammer George MacFarland Hap Directed by William Keighlev. One of this film's main faults is its length. It could have been much snappier if it had been shortened considerably, as it is it sags very badly in the middle; the opening and finale are both first-rate. The story, such as it is, shows how students of Winfield College go all out to make their annual club revue the best ever, but are hampered at every turn by the faculty adviser, Professor Sylvester Biddle, a gentleman who lives in the past. In desperation they decide to enlist the help of Chuck Daly, a former Winfield boy and now a Broadway producer down on his luck, and he and his assistant, William take up residence. Soon Chuck and William clash with Biddle, and rather than partisanship should result in the expulsion of i leading students, they first put the show into active preparation and then depart. When the students learn that Chuck has done the big thing, they take matters into their own hands and remove the show, lock, stock and barrel, to Broadway. It is a hit, and its success re-establishes Chuck as' a leading producer. Dick Powell combines song, comedy and romance with his accustomed ease and assurance, while the late Ted Healy, dispensing with his stooges, becomes one himself very capably as William. Rosemary Lane registers quite well as the heroine and the support does all that is expected of it. c**NAVY BLUE AND GOLD M.-G.M. American. " U" certificate. American Naval A cademy romance. Runs 9i minutes. Robert Young Roger Ash James Stewart "Truck" Cross Florence Rice Patricia Gates Billie Burke Mrs. Gates Lionel Barrymore Captain "Skinny" Dawes Tom Brown Richard Gates, jun. Samuel S. Hinds Richard Gates, sen. Paul Kelly Tommy Milton Barnett Parker Graves Frank Ai.bertson Weeks Minor Watson Lieut. Milburn Robert Middlemass Academy Superintendent Phillip Terry Kelly Charles Waldron Commander Carter Pat Flaherty... Coach of Southern Institute Stanley Morner Lieut, of Marines Matt McHugh Heckler Ted Pearson Hamet Directed by Sam Wood. Previewed December 11, 1937. Full of "old school " sentiment of a blatant and often laughable order this glorification of the American Naval Academy is not likely to appeal very strongly to British audiences. It is, however, well staged and the glimpses of the training of the cadets and their customs are well photographed. Robert Young is well cast as one of the cadets and James Stewart is excellent as another in spite of the fact that some of his lines are likely to make one laugh rather than feel exalted as they are intended to do. Florence Rice supplies the romantic interest and Lionel Birrvmore April 16, 1938 appears at intervals as an infirm, retired naval captain who still takes an interest in football, which, bv the way, plays a big part in the make-up of the picture. *A BRIDE FOR HENRY Pathe. American. " A " certificate. Marital comedy. Runs 60 minutes. Warren Hull Henry Anne Nagel Sheila Henry Mollison Eric Claudia Dell Helen Harrison Green Constable Betty Ross Clark Mrs. Curtis Directed bv William Sigh. Original story by Josephine Bentham. There is quite a lot of piquancy about this marital comedy which suffers, however, from an excess of verbiage and a very slight plot. However, dialogue is brightly written and some good acting comes from Anne Nagel, Warren Hull and Henry Mollison. The first mentioned plays the role of a societv bride-to-be who marries her lawyer because the bridegroom is late. The husband soon realises that he is only being used to bring the errant bridegroom up to scratch, and refuses a divorce. In return, he flirts with every girl in sight and so according to all the best rules of screen comedy, comes out the matrimonial stakes winner. 'SOME BLONDES ARE DANGEROUS General Film Distributors [Universal). American. " A" certificate. Boxing drama. Runs 66 minutes. Noah Beery, jun Bud Mason William Gargan George Regan Dorothea Kent Rose Whitnev Nan Grey Judy William's Roland Drew Paul Lewis Polly Rowles Mrs. Lewis Lew Kelly Jeff Ed Santley Dink Riley John Butler McNeil Louis Natheaux Woods Eddie Roberts Rattler O'Keefe Max Wagner Ruby Hall Walter Friedman Pappas Directed by Milton Carruth. Based on the story by William R. Burnett. Stereotyped story of the prize ring with Noah Beery, jun., as a youth with more courage than brains who falls for a gold-digging actress, goes to pieces, but is redeemed by his original girl-friend. Fights are well staged and help to minimise the obviousness of the plot. •BANK ALARM A.B.F.D. Grand National. (American) "A" Certificate. GMan melodrama. Runs 61 minutes. Conrad Nagel Alan O'Connor Eleanor Hunt Bobbie Reynolds Vince Barnett Bulb Frank Milan Turner Wilma Francis Kay William Thorne Inspector Macy Wheeler Oakman Karlotti Charles Delaney Duke Phil Dunham Curtis Sid D'Albrook Grimes Pat Gleason Barney Wilson Benge Overman Henry Rocquemore Sheriff Ed Shaffer Tracy Floyd Griswell Smith Nat Carr. Yowitz Dan Wolheim Mechanic Sid Jarvis Police Doctor Al Thompson Auto Camp Manager Harry Anderson Reporter Directed by Louis Gasnier. Gun-play, romance and comedy, all play their part in this conventional G. Man drama which is staged on an unpretentious scale and has a fair quota of thrills of a familiar order. Conrad Nagel is quite sound as a G. Man engaged in running down a gang of bank robbers, who falls in love with his girl assistant, Bobbie, provocatively interpreted by Eleanor Hunt. •ON SUCH A NIGHT Paramount. American. "('" certificate. Gangster drama. Runs 72 minutes. Grant Richards Nicky Last Karen Morley Gail Stanley Roscoe Karns Joe Flynn Eduardo Ciannelli. "Ice" Richmond Milli Monti Mile. Mum Alan Mowbray Prof. Richard Caudle Robert McWade Colonel Fen t ridge 22