Silver Screen (Nov 1933–Apr 1934)

50 Silver Screen for March 1934 New Pictures (Continued) EIGHT GIRLS IN A BOAT Rating: It All Depends on You— Paramount A\ 1 slight story but an unusual idea pin-, (his picture into the "atmosphere" class. Some of you may not like the unexciting theme, but at least you'll like the novelty of its presentation. The story revolves around an exclusive girls' school in Switzerland. One of the girls, Dorothy W ilson, has loved not wisely but too well Douglass Montgomery, a poor chemist in the town. When it is discovered that she is going to have a baby the girls all rush to her side and make light of the entire matter. Even the icy athletic instructor, The crew of "Eight Girls in a Boat." splendidly played by Kay Johnson, warms up considerably and condones the whole affair. Of course, Douglass Montgomery decides that the fact that she is rich and he is poor shall not interfere with his love, so the young couple are married. You knew they would be all the time. GOING HOLLYWOOD Rating: Bing, Bang— Hooray!— M-G-M A MARION DA VIES— Bing Crosby-Hollywood—musical picture! What more can you ask? Marion plays a school teacher, who falls in love with Bing's crooning over the radio, and sort of forgets the kiddies' examination papers. When she learns that Bing is going to Hollywood to appear in pictures she manages to catch the same train— but alas, Bing is all hot and bothered about Fifi Dorsay, who's engaged to him, and he can't see Marion for a flock of cinders. The Art o Paul Lukas Captures the Spotlight! But Marion's got determination and their paths keep crossing in the studio and on the sets until Bing finally sees the error of his ways. Bing sings and sings— and you'll love it. Besides the beautiful Marion and the crooning Bing there are Stu Erwin, Ned Sparks, Patsy Kelly and the three Radio Rogues, with their uncanny impersonations, all adding to the fun. Grand entertainment. BY CANDLELIGHT Rating: Landi Loses Her Dignity— and What Fun!— Universal THOUSANDS'LL cheer for Landi after seeing her in this gay, intriguing picture of love and mistaken identities in romantic Monte Carlo. It used to be that every time Elissa appeared on the screen we knew there would be a Problem and a long-suffering lover, and it was all getting too, too depressing when suddenly Universal up and discovered that the little Landi girl is one of our best comediennes. Marion Davies and Stuart Erwin in "Going Hollywood." Elissa Landi and Paul Lukas in "By Candlelight." She plays the role of a Viennese maid who poses as her mistress, a countess, even going so far "as to borrow the countess' clothes and the count himself. Elissa proves what a clever actress she is by keeping the character of the maid when she is supposed to be -the countess— and she's as bubbling as a glass of champagne, and far more intoxicating. Handsome Nils Asther plays the prince, who goes in for beautiful women and candlelight, and Paul Lukas is his butler who so ardently admires his master's technique that he can't help but practice it in his master's absence. Of course that brings on difficulties and happy confusion— especially, one night, when Prince Asther comes home unexpectedly, to find Butler Lukas posing as the prince to impress Maid Landi who is posing as a countess with a jealous husband. There is nothing for Nils to do but pose as the butler— and he does with the most hilarious effects. The dialogue is frothy and it is a very gay picture, guaranteed to put you in a good humor. Esther Ralston is beautiful and charming as one of the Prince's "affairs," and Dorothy Revier is quite lovely as the Countess. Grand entertainment. MADAME SPY Rating: Corking Good— Universal THOSE spies are with us again. Fascinating people and always so darned good looking. This time Fay Wray plays a beautiful Russian spy with a Greta Garbo bob. When Nils Asther, so so handsome in his Austrian uniform, crashes in his plane, Fay nurses him back to health and they get married. Back in Vienna things begin to happen, especially when Nils' old pals, John Miljan and Edward Arnold of the secret service, show up and after much excitement prove to the infatuated Nils that he has married a famous Russian spy. Fay Wray and Nils Asther in "Madame Spy." Then the tables turn and Nils shows up in Moscow on a little spying job for Austria and, of course, the first person he sees at the Court is Fay. Intrigue upon intrigue, and all kinds of secret codes and things. But Fay's heart isn't in her spying any more— she has fallen desperately in love with her former husband. Of course she saves him when all of Russia is on his heels and there's a happy ending. A corking good spy story. THE MEANEST GAL IN TOWN Rating: And Not Very Funny Either— R-K-0 THE best comedians in town— look 'em over: ZaSu Pitts, Jimmy Gleason, El Brendel, Pert Kelton and Skeets Gallagher. But such a weak story and flock of old gags that they have a hard time keeping body and soul together. ZaSu plays the El Brendel and ZaSu Pitts in "The Meanest Gal in Town," owner of a small town's Emporium and El Brendel is the local barber who's in love with her. Pert Kelton's a stranded show girl and Jimmy Gleason's a man about town. A "hit" picture starts a "trend" a "trend" leads into a "cycle," yet always there is novelty and surprise. "The Little Women" wave is passing and the "Queens" have arrived, leaving the "Gay Jvjneties" only a memory.