Screenland (May-Oct 1938)

THE ADVENTURES OF MARCO POLO— Samuel Goldwyn-United Artists THE novelty of the screen season, to be seen by those of you who tire easily of current film fare, not that I .blame you; but at the same time a most curious cinema, with Gary Cooper not always at ease in his highly stylized surroundings— not that I blame him, either. This time Mr. Goldwyn has done his picturesque pioneering even farther afield than usual, and the result, despite, expensive settings, thousands of extras, and intermittent excitement, is a mixture of fantasy and melodrama at once bewildering and naive. Don't get me wrong: I love the small-boy's-dream school of cinema adventure, but "Marco Polo" is neither good, robust melodrama nor clever satire, but a hesitant attempt to combine the two, which can't be done, even in small-boy dreams. The film first pictures Gary as a gay blade of old Venice, then transports him to the kingdom of Kublai Khan where he falls in love with the b'eautiful Princess and runs afoul of the cruel Ahmed, played to the elegant eyebrows by Basil Rathbone. There are moments when Gary Cooper is an endearing M r. Deeds going to China, but mostly he is rather -submerged by his unconvincing role. The newcomer, Sigrid Gurie, is a vision of complete loveliness as the Princess ; you'll like her. MAD ABOUT MUSIC— Universal DEANNA does it again! This marvelous child— and, I should add, her marvelous producer— manage the hitherto , impossible feat of following two terrific hit pictures with 'a third which is even better. "Mad About Music" is grand entertainment— it's fun, it's musically engaging, and even important, when Deanna sings Ave Maria with a boys' choir — it's always in good taste, and it's never insipid. There must be magic at work here ! Little Miss Durbin is almost too good to be truenow she has added an expertly sparkling comic talent _ to her other gifts, and some of her scenes are as rib-tickling in their sure sense of comedy as any ever played by Irene Dunne or Carole Lombard. Here she plays a school-girl in search of a father, and when Herbert Marshall turns up she grabs him, as who wouldn't, to supply the fatherly note in her lonesome little life— her mother, you see, is a movie glamor queen who can't afford to have a growing daughter hanging about. Deanna coaxes the sedate Mr. Marshall into the best scenes he's ever played, particularly his hilarious description of imaginary jungle perils. Even Arthur Treacher unbends. Helen Parrish, pretty newcomer, stands out. Gail Patrick is decoratively present. You'll enjoy it. Reviews of the best Pictures by THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER— Selznick-United Artists A THOROUGHGOING treat for everyone who likes small boys and girls, Mark Twain, and high-hearted . adventure— and that should include practically everyone except the old witch, and she hated even Snow White. First of all, a low deep bow to producer Selznick for his rare patience in pursuing the best possible Tom Sawyer. You know by now how he found him in the ingratiating person of Tommy Kelly; and the boy was well worth the chase. In selecting his other players Mr. Selznick has shown the same wisdom— for here is a perfectly cast picture. Little Ann Gillis as Becky Thatcher, May Robson as Aunt Polly, David Holt as Sid, Jackie Moran as Huck Finn— all very real, very lovable people, as guided by Director Taurog through the events which made Twain's book about an American boy a world classic. You'll chuckle at the famous episode of the fencewhitewashing ; the Sawyer-Thatcher courtship, the runaway and the return in time for the funeral— and you'll thrill with the lost children in the cave, rejoice at the rescue. It's so human, so endearing, and so heartwarming that if you vote it your favorite film for a long time, I wouldn't blame you. Technically, it's superb, with most satisfying color so far. 52