Screenland (Nov 1934-Apr 1935)

for February 1935 55 Reviews without Prejudice, Fear or Favor! The Month's Best Performances: Evelyn Laye in "Evensong" Anna Sten in "We Live Again" Joe Penner in "College Rhythm" Frankie Thomas in "Wednesday's Child" Anne Shirley in "Anne of Green Gables" Fredric March in "We Live Again" Loretta Young in "The White Parade" Ross Alexander in "Flirtation Walk" Frank Morgan in "There's Always Tomorrow" Binnie Barnes in "There's Always Tomorrow" Flirtation Walk Warners Fooled you this time! Here's a big musical that doesn't glorify the Busby Berkeley girls, but the West Point cadets! And if you want to know how that is done, see the picture. I'd see it anyway, if I were you. It's a great family show. It's clean, it's cute, it's wholesome, and it's always pleasant to watch. The master stroke that makes "Flirtation Walk" different from other musicals — besides that revolutionary step that gives the cadets all the glory— is having Frank Borzage direct. Yes, Frank "Seventh Heaven" Borzage, no less. Meaning that the intimate scenes of this production are imbued with as much charm and sincerity as any super-drama; meaning that the co-stars, Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell, are presented with more depth and sympathy than ever before; and their romance takes on reality. Of course you get a dash of girls, more than a soupgon of song, and considerable comedy. But you get, also, all the beauty and speed and spirit of West Point itself; this picture will make most small boys want to go there — and their mothers and their sisters and their aunts will wish there were more Dick Powells around — or more Ross Alexanders. He's a pet! The White Parade Fox Really worth-while! Readily recommended to every SasEMj woman who likes meaty motion pictures and prefers to grapplo with human everyday drama rather than be whisked away by an "escape" screenplay. "The White Parade" is a minor epic of the hospital nurse, her duties and her rewards; and Jesse Lasky may take his usual bow for resisting the temptation to go Hollywood in producing it. Loretta Young is the heroine who will be regarded as having a "Florence Nightingale complex" by the hard-hearted; but to me it was rather refreshing to meet a movie beauty who was more concerned with her ideals of service than her marriage to a rich polo player. Mr. Lasky tempering his own ideals with good showmanship, wisely chose the exquisite Loretta to lead the parade of earnest young nurses; somehow Loretta, when looking spiritual, can persuade audiences to believe anything. However, whether you take "The White Parade" seriously or not, you will be entertained by the reel record ot the lives of young probationers, their work, their loves, their trials and temptations. John Boles does all possible to make the most unbelievable hero of the month convincing. Grand cast' College Rhythm Paramount SjS^S Hfr.es one f°r laughs! Check your complexes and your tHzlll) critical faculties and prepare to enjoy yourself with this ^sfl, perfectly crazy picture. A troupe of ' he wildest and most *^ talented performers ever assembled throws dull care and discretion right at the director's head and makes hey-hey, nonnyno and bango. (Aside to Director Taurog: of course I know you made them behave that way. But all the more credit to you if they look spontaneous.) Plot? Well, maybe Joe Penner's duck knows; I don't. What does it matter? Paramount has turned out still another radiantly insane comedy; that's all, and it's more than enough. Lanny Ross is the sanest member of the cast, and even Mr. Ross unbends to the extent of turning in a hundred percent better performance than in his first movie. Jack Oakie is general assistant, with Joe Penner clowning around, and Lyda Roberti looking delicious and dancing and singing delightfully. There's a football game to end all gag gridiron scraps; and there are hit tunes, and — oh, yes — there are dance numbers for those in the audience who still demand 'em. Beauty abounds in the persons of Mary Brian and Helen Mack. Everything considered, see it! Let Them Guide You to the Good Films