Babbitt (Warner Bros.) (1934)

—_) YARTETY George F. Babbitt, Sinclair Lewis’ immortal cross-cut American, steps onto the screen in the person of Guy Kibbee for broadside entertainment in a smartly made picture which should spell hit-at any box office. One-time best seller still has strong appeal to help the marquee problem, if properly exploited. ‘Babbitt’ is an excellent, intelligent and well proportioned translation of the book, knowingly and sympathetically directed by William Keighley for all its comedy and character implications; splendidly handled by the players, and for Kibbee a personal triumph. Highly commendable too, is Mary McCall’s shrewd screen play, the adaptation by Tom Reed and Niven Busch and added dialog by Ben Markson, their combined efforts providing a rich, warm, human and not too heroic or too satiric a picture of that fabulous Zenith which is any American city from 10,000 up. Wisely, the play has not been restricted by any dating or zoning. Costume, speech, behavior of the characters are completely modern. Scarcely behind Kibbee in faithful portrayal of her role is Aline MacMahon as Mrs. Babbitt. In less able hands this wifely role might easily have been caricatured and patronized. It rings true in every detail. Claire Dodd isieffective as the Judique woman, Maxine Doyle and Glen Boles handle their assignments as the Babbitt youngsters very well, the boy’s scene with the father being exceptionally fine. Humorous highlight is the ludicrous gag where Babbitt is initiated as the ring-master of the lodge of Zebras.. Climatic punch comes when Mrs. Babbitt goes to bat for her terrified and contrite husband and by her shrewd courage converts his knavish intentions into an heroic gesture which makes him again a big man of his community. The scene is a pip. Piece is beautifully photographed, moves swiftly, and will be relished by any audience. HERE'S WHY IT "SHOULD SPELL HIT AT ANY BOX-OFFICE”.... MOTION °PACTURE HERALD Babbitt (Warner ) Comedy While the picture “Babbitt” smartly eliminates practically all the barbed satire which chararterized the book from which it is adapted, it retains and embellishes all the humor and comedy. The quality of homespun fun, even as it is applied to the dramatic tinged situations, is the element motivating all action and dialogue. It carefully avoids ridiculing and thus should bring no objection from those large bodies of men who take their civic and fraternal activities seriously. In the story, Babbitt is a staid small town business man; successful, big hearted, proud of his town, family and his lodge, the Zebras. Ambitious, however, to mingle with the big shots, he is first, after a gentle ribbing by his lodge brothers, elected Grand Ringmaster. Quite a popular character, he’s just the type that conniving politicians and bankers like to use as a front. Invited in on a land purchase deal promising big profits, his wife Myra being absent on an errand of neighborly mercy, Babbitt, succumbing to the common failing, would like to do a little philandering. Talking too much to the blackmailing widow, Tanis, he finds himself in a spot. The woman talks herself and Babbitt’s air castles come tumbling down. But his downfall is only the. opportunity for Myra to be a heroine. A woman, she’s wise to all the wiles and arts of femininity and with the help of son Ted, she frustrates the landgrabbing schemes of the real estate sharks, and in presenting Babbitt before the investigating attorney, makes his situation look as though he had been acting with high-minded and unselfish civic consciousness to protect his town. Then follows reinstatement in the minds of his fellow townsmen and lodge members with Babbitta wiser man, but still pretty important figure in his own estimation. = ; The production offers many features that should add materially to its commercial value. The Sinclair Lewis book, though now quite a few years old, is still a showmanship value. In the leading roles, the picture presents Kuy Kibbee and Aline MacMahon, the stars of. “Big Hearted Herbert,” and while Babbitt is the big figure, upon whom. attention continually is focused, there is also a spirit of youth to the picture. The picture can be sold as all-around substantial family entertainment, with much to amuse both the more mature as well as the younger elements——McCartuy, Hollywood. Produced and distributed by First National. Directed by William Keighley. From the novel by Sinclair Lewis. Adapted by Tom Reed and Niven Busch. Screen play by Mary McCall. Photographed by Arthur Todd. P. C. A. Certificate. No. 349. Running time, when seen in Hollywood, 75 minutes. Release date, Dec. 8, 1934. Geonce: EF. Babbitt. coos oe cane eee Guy Kibbee Myra “Babbitt, .teee tee te oe eae ists. atete Aline MacMahon Meronat Babbittusiecr suse aac fete oes seers Maxine Doyle “Panis -JUudiquemeeee scence eee eee Claire Dodd Huntce Littlefield: t!. e024 c\.siecs 38h cwieccteeaee Nan Gray Wires MicGouttee cscs. cess ont caee adnees Dae Mary Treen ed Ba bbitt! 2. canes tae «eae kei tcnesee’ Glen Boles Paul’ Retslingrptisaccir ts as canaries Addison Richards ZAlla “Reisling smceesies cides cece ees ac Minna Gombell Charli€--McWelvey-2.eiedic oives cn conincees Alan Hale Vitdee} Thompson ois asec nccnese nies Berton Churchill Moaptitl: Guricl sore oy k 3 s5 ves nee owas tgt tae Arthur Hoyt Commissioner Gurnee .........eeceeeeee Walter Walker LOKe isis ae MAN ere ere ero Osc Arthur Ayelsworth REACH THE READERS AND YOU'RE REACHING ALL AMERICA! Page Three