Screenland (May-Oct 1930)

for July 2 9 3 0 87 on Current Films Sweethearts and Wives I RECOMMEND this picture as an amusing, sophisticated story, containing an element of naughtiness, which shouldn't be missed! The fun takes place outside of Paris in a spooky inn. It contains an object lesson. If you go motoring with another man's wife, you may wind up by marrying Billie Dove. That's what happens when Sidney Blackmer's motor has trouble and he stops at the inn with Leila Hyams. Mysterious events occur and the only person about is Billie Dove as a French maid, language and everything! The police arrive, and to avoid a scandal, Billie becomes Blackmer's wife, and Leila becomes their maid. Clive Brook, as a private detective, and Albert Gran, as an inspector, carry on an investigation and a murder is discovered. Yes, there are also the missing jools, which are juggled about by the various characters much to their discomfiture — for who wants to be arrested? Redemption DEEP, dreary, and Russian. John Gilbert's first talking picture, this screening of the Tolstoy drama was held for release to follow "His Glorious Night." John gets no better break in this than he did in the talkie debut. "Redemption" is a trial for all. It is old-fashioned. Unless you like to steep yourself in Russian gloom, you will probably writhe your way through this film. Gilbert plays one of those mysterious heroes who can't seem to make up his mind. A sinister fate pursues him, for no special reason. He just can't be happy. And he tangles up a few lives besides his own, including Eleanor Boardman's, Conrad Nagel's, and Renee Adoree's. John has one good scene, but it comes at the end of the picture, and it's a long wait. Miss Adoree makes the best impression with her piquant beauty and rich voice. She will be a big hit in the right talker role. Honey KNOW a secret!" This phrase will be a by-word among families when "Honey" has been seen by all. The event of this pleasant little musical movie is Mitzi Green, the child wonder, who plays, with admirable honesty, one of those obnoxious children who spends her time spying on her elders — and sells what she hears to the highest bidder. Whether you like precocious kid performers or not, you must admit that Mitzi is the greatest child star since Jackie Coogan. She's uncannily clever. Her scenes with Jobyna Howland are really funny; and keep "Honey" from being too sweet, what with the saccharine romance going on between Nancy Carrol and Stanley Smith, who have to sing about love; and the lighter amour of Lillian Roth and Skeet Gallagher. I want to register approbation of Miss Roth. She is refreshingly impish and original. Looks like star material to me. Under a Texas Moon PLEASE see this. It just missed being one of the six best. The first all Technicolor western, it is heartily recommended by way of light and snappy diversion. And it's no ordinary western, either. It's dressed-up and pretty, with Frank Fay as a Mexican Don Juan who has no trouble at all attracting the ladies, on the screen or in the audience. He's the same Frank Fay who was master of ceremonies of "The Show of Shows" but you'd never know it. He is much more at ease, and may shape up as a real star. He's a sort of satirical Barrymore, who says it with songs. Among his conquests are such charming girls as Armida, Raquel Torres, and Myrna Loy — need I add the picture is extremely decorative? Armida, a real Mexican, is right at home in this colorful atmosphere of fun and fiestas. But it's Frank Fay's picture; he earns it. You'll like his voice and smile.