Screenland (Nov 1934-Apr 1935)

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f o r J a n u a r y 1 9 3 5 55 Reviews without Prejudice, Fear or Favor! Our Daily Bread United Artists You serious cinema addicts who gaze in awe at the arty Russian films had better not overlook this! It has, to my mind, as much "art" as anything the Soviets have sent us, with the extra inducement of purely American sympathy and understanding. "Our Daily Bread" is a powerful and moving cinema exhibit, with few concessions to commercialism, and I believe it will warm your heart. Highly idealistic, some people are calling it; but surely its sincerity cannot be questioned, nor its deeply dignified presentation of the problem of unemployment. Briefly, the story concerns an average young man and his devoted wife, who turn in despair from the city to the land in their struggle for existence. The young man becomes the leader of a splendid co-operative group of people beaten down by the depression, who toil courageously in the community spirit to wrest a living from the soil. Their fight against the drought provides the thrilling climax, which will have you cheering. Tom Keene and Karen Morley bead the very able cast. Vidor has given us a picture transcending mere entertainment, although it is that, too. "Our Daily Bread" reflects America today, and deserves to live. See it. The Gay Divorcee RKO-Radio In a month of superlative movies, this picture stands out for smoothness, for speed, and for the sort of sophistication that Hollywood sometimes has trouble in attaining. I think we may be grateful to the star, Fred Astaire, for preserving just the right esprit, savoir {aire, and general bonhomie— whew! — that make "The Gay Divorcee" unique among musical romances. Yes, this is Astaire Month as far as I'm concerned, and I'm very much concerned in the rise of a personality as ingratiating as Fred's. He has starred for record runs of this play on the stage, so that he brings to the faithful film version the most superb insouciance I've ever seen — see how his elegance affects me? As the irrepressible suitor to pretty Ginger Rogers, Astaire dances, carols, and clowns his way through the picture, which is replete with hilarious complications involving divorce co-respondents, addled aunts, Eddie Horton, never better, and the funniest butler ever screened. "Night and Day" and "The Continental" are marvellous numbers, with Astaire for grace and Ginger for the Hollywood touch of beauty. Don't miss "The Gay Divorcee — please! See our Honor Page — further persuasion! The Merry Widow M-G-M If you were thinking that The Merry Widow was just a voice in the past, you'll be obliged to change your mind when you meet her again as presented by Ernst Lubitsch, enhanced by a magnificent setting; wearing lovelier gowns, by Adrian this time; and assuredly winning her best beau in the person of Maurice Chevalier. Now that The Merry Widow has turned into the young, the beautiful, and the sweet-voiced Jeanette MacDonald, you're going to love her. Same songs, but sung with a new verve; same story, of the charming and wealthy widow who wants to be sure she is adored for herself and not for her money; same dashing Danilo, but with a difference as played by Chevalier, who will captivate you all over again in his best role since "The Love Parade." Lubitsch is in his most sprightly mood, molding scenes and situations that will set you to chuckling at their sly implications, but always preserving the gay good taste that invariably distinguishes the great director's pictures. Besides the gorgeous Jeanette and the irresistible Maurice you will enjoy Edward Horton, Una Merkel, and George Barbier, flawless in their parts. "The Merry Widow" will charm you. It is superlative. Peck's Bad Boy Fox Here's a picture to amuse young and old alike! When I say it's the family picture of the month I don't want to imply that it isn't fun-for-all, because it is — not only grandpappy but Junior will like it, and as for the girls — well, if they aren't won by Thomas Meighan as The Boy's nice father they will not be able to resist Jackie Cooper, the kid himself. It's Jackie's movie holiday, and he makes the most of it. One of the finest actors of any age on stage or screen, he has a role here that is probably his best, as the devoted son of Meighan whose life is rudely interrupted by the arrival in the peaceful household of an interfering aunt and a perfectly deadly cousin, played by Jackie Searl. Jackie's heart breaks in a million bits when the officious relatives let him know that he is not the real son of his beloved dad, but only adopted. How this boy will wring your heart right here! But the most touching scene of all is that in which Meighan tells Jackie that he couldn't be dearer to him if he were indeed his own flesh and blood — if you've mastered your emotions so far, you'll have to go all to pieces then! It's a triumph for Jackie. And it's a heart-warming come-back for your old friend, Thomas Meighan. Let Them Guide You to the Good Films