We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
52
SCREENLAND
Screenlands Critic Really Sees the Pictures!
The Song of
Songs Paramount
For sheer pictorial charm this shimmering celluloid wins the Beauty Prize of the screen season. You've never seen more gorgeous pictures. Close-ups of La Dietrich to make men's heads swim. Breath-takingly beautiful outdoor scenes to make women dream. This doesn't mean, I'm sorry to say, that the drama of "The Song of Songs" will electrify you. The story of the lovely Lily, who leaves her aunt's musty bookshop for the thrilling realities of life in a sculptor's studio, only to become in turn a bored baroness and a bold, bad gal, seems tawdry, oldstyle stuff. Rouben Mamoulian's direction is at times so studied that it has a heavy, early-Griffith grandeur. But this same M. Mamoulian must be heartily cheered for coaxing Marlene to give a really vivid performance. She comes alive in this picture ; she never says "No-o-o" — not once. Brian Aherne has a superb voice — he'll do. Alison Skipworth is, naturally, perfectly swell. Lionel Atwill plays the theatrical baron. See this lovely, if not lively film.
Tugboat Annie M-G-M
The two most human and hearty souls on the screen are with us again — Min and Bill — I mean Marie Dressier and Wally Beery. You've been waiting so long for a sequel to that favorite film that a review is almost superfluous — well, practically. But for the few of you who want to be reassured let me say that "Tugboat Annie" is an ideal vehicle — if you can call a tugboat a vehicle — for these two beloved stars. Marie is skipper of the Narcissus, married to the worthless but good-natured Wally. It's Marie who slaves so that her son can go to college and become Captain of a liner. And all the time Beery is getting into mischief as only Beery can— Wally, as you may imagine, is no sissy, and brings Marie grief as well as grins. But he atones with the month's most heroic film sacrifice. Of course, it's a familiar formula, but the team's fine acting saves it from bathos. Robert Young and Maureen O'Sullivan are the ' Young Folks. And where will you find nicer movie love interest?
REVIEWS
of the
Best Pictures
£o -SEAL-OF)
L><3— — £
Double Harness RKO
For sheer enjoyment I recommend this picture unreservedly. It's smooth, suave, satisfying entertainment. And it is so superlatively directed, by John Cromwell; and so expertly played by Ann Harding, William Powell, and the cast, that it's only afterward that the "if's" and "but's" and "why's" begin to creep in. You'll find no fault with the story as you sit there interested, amused, and highly entertained by the intelligent and charming proceedings. Miss Harding has never been so altogether delightful as in this role of a girl who sets her pretty cap for Mr. Powell, the town's gayest and hardest-to-get bachelor. He loves her, but he's altar-shy. She tricks him, becomes his wife — and then fights really to win him. The excellent dialogue sparkles as these two super -troupers toss it about. You'll relish the knockout ending. Reginald Owen is a joy as an understanding butler. And you'll like Lucille Browne, a blonde beauty with a luscious voice. She is a find — sign her up, somebody!
You Can Count on these Criticisms