Variety (Aug 1930)

Wednesday, August 27, 1930 REVIEWS VASIETr 21 Tafldns Shorts BETTY COMPTON in "ThB Leoacy" (Songs and Dances), With John Hundloy and Jack Whito. 9Min«. Warnori, New York Alone Broadway this "Warner abort win mean attention through Betty Compton and John Hundley in It, perhaps as their first short and appearance on the talklng^ screen. Both are from musical comedy; pop- ular In New Tork. Jack White is the comedian, who has been on the coast, where thla was made, for some time. Other than where the principals are not particularly known, this becomes merely a sing- ing' and dancing ensemble short. There are not enough laughs in it to add comedy. An act at vaude rehearsal holds the three principals, with the girl receiving a wire she had been willed^ an old closed hotel In the sticks. The trio choose the hotel rather than the road. Whenfeachlng there and throwing oiit the accumulated rubbish, they recall their show com- panions to become the staiiT. This permits of a chorus and the Trado Twins, besides Charles Setter and Eddie Davis doing specialties.' Miss Compton does her specialty on the hotel floor, where the after- noon cabaret for guests Is going on. The comely brunet does a swirling dance, the swirl promoted through a long skirt from her high kicks, but It Is as a. tap dancer Miss Compton lands. Her tapping routine is quite good and rhythmical: Mr. Hundley joins her In song, with one of the melodies catchy. White Is the comedian with minimum materlaL Carl McBrld© directed; Herman Ruby's story, with songs by M. K. Jerome and Harold Berg. It's a short short- for the long trip from coast to coast and return made by Miss Compton for ItSime. "SCOTCH LOVE" Comedy Sketch .10 Mins. Loew's New York Vitaphohe No. 1031 A travesty on Scotchmen, with some original Scotch jokes as the mainstay. Nat Dorfman is the au- thor. No. players credited. Quite new in theme, and should have no difficulty getting over. Scotch gaga usually get a laugh. Scene is laid in Scotland at the home of a married coUple. Opening Impresses that all the furnishings, are giveaways, as souvenirs, etc Hubby is going' away to a free spread. .His friend-cptnes in and takes out the wife. Brlnjgs her home and kisses her, which ^hubby. Just home, witnesses. ' Gag finish is hubby entering and threatening to shoot lover. Has no .bullets, so the lover sells him one. Wife gets them both to make up, and the lover returns the coin for the bullet. Husband,. .'Instead oX re- turning the bullet, grabs the CQln and shoots the lover. Scotch brogue by all. Two males aAd the femme lead deliver oka. ''LAUNDRY BLUES" Aesop's Fablea Series Cactoon Comedy 8 IMins. . Globe, New York Pathe Good playable filler for best shows 4nd with more variety than most Cartoons haye. So many different ' drawings have gone'into this one .that the lack of repetition, terrible ' In . some cartoons,' Is one of the v-pleaslng things about It. ' V Scene opening is a Chink laundry, with animal characters as the work- , *9r& .and a Quartet figuring in musl- ''.<cal numbers and other bits, Includ- ' Jng an orchestra for the windup. ''^Even a Tid customer Is worked in ^.for a gag, as well as a funny-look- , . :mg animal valet to the chinks who's -jivyltle to do a Rudy Vallee on a :fPfax and starts a Chlnato'wn riot . S^f Drawings well done and. syn- '"'4.-!P''''°'^l2atIon -of voice and' effects ; gfatlsfactory, that Including the re- , v^rQductlon as well as the recording. >. • ^ Char. IEW^N without SKIRTS" ^j^.With Dane and Arthur- •^.Comedy sap Mins. %«lobe, New York RKO Radio First rate. entertainment, well wade, with originality, novelty; pro- duction value and plenty of laughs. Karl Dane and George K. Arthur names may not be enough to put over a short, but material given inem and how done does the trick beautifully. Dane has a good deal to aay and despite his thick Scan- qinavlan accent bears up. His part- • 5iT (■'^■'■thur's) Scotch accent notice- able, but all accounts using "Men Without Skirts" will have no worry, •^jij-^^am has been placed In fam- "f" setting and roles, with both as ff.'^'ers in Prance. Short opens r^"" boys putting on their own show K?* * "® in a femme Impersonation ?" a quick laugh, thfen switches w a barroom and a French dame each Is trying to make. She pacifies ■fSf ^«°"ehboys on being called to jront by saying she'll marry the one "•at comes back. At the front Corp. 'Vane picks Private Arthur tot the task of carrying a phone out on the battlefield,, with everyone hanging out the crepe for the soldier. What liappens out on the field after,'Dane gets sorry and tries to ring up Ar' thur, later joining him away out there, makes for one almost con tlhual laugh. Short comes from the Xarry K. Darmour studios for release through RKO Radio, It's the sort of prod- uct In its line that most all exhlbs are hollering, for. Cftar. "TRYING THEM OUT" Comedy .17 Mins. 86th SU New York Pathe Third-rate comedy In the two- reeler class, poorly recorded and photographed. Idea of a smallish small-time vaude show and the au dlence razzing seemed good, but falls to work out effectively here. Short is credited as written by Gordon Bostock, long a vaude pro- ducet* and agent He provided little of a "story," as credits call it Set- ting Is that 'of - a dump theatre, ap- parently in England, through the cockney accents of both actors and audience-jeerers. After a villain- type m. c. appears with a long spiel that can't be made out due to bad recording or voice (or both), the variety acts appear. They include a singer who works on the style of Rose King (York and King), dance team In an eccentric routine (best In short), comedy acrobatic double and a comedian single. Slapstick is mostly through the eggs and vegetables hurled from the balcony to the entertainers, and the way the m. c. Is knocked out for the drag-off finish. Monte Banks directed, with Billy Carglll, Charlie Reggo and Billy Reggo among those featured. iShort looks old from the blurry print It may have been made some time ago and Just released. Char. "RICH UNCLES" Checker Comedy 21 Mins. Tivoir, New York Ptitho Fast moving bedroom comedy, with a full quota of laughs. Hokum Is somewhat overdone, although no notlcQ win be taken of It At this neighborhood house . strongly liked Story Isn't new but has novel twists. Cooing newljrweds expect a rich uncle. While husband goes to work, wife brings in. an old friend who bad splashed her dress with waiier and ripped his pants. As she is changing her dress and he bis pants, uncle arrlveo. Wife thinks It best to Introduce friend as hubby. Real hubby and the entanglements, with the uncle forcing the friend and wife to sleep together, while the hudband Is Ih- tr6duced as the boarder, sleeping downstairs. .Could have been given a.better eliding. Finish is In the cartoon strip manner, the uncle chasing both hu^and and friend across the country. All fbur players deliver nicely. Oke for hoke. . "BLIMP MYSTERY" Chimp Family Series Comie Novelty 13 Mins. Loew's New York Tiffany Modeled after the.same style as Metro's series of dog shorts. In this monkeys with human voices, synchronized. Novelty that will please anywhere. I<eadtng chimp Is Hemlock, the detective, out to round up the chief of a -gang just captured. - By tele- vision speaks to and looks at his wife. He sees his quarry enter his wife's room, seize her and make off. Gives chase In an aeroplane. -In the-villainous chimp's den they are confronted by all sorts of tricks and trap doors but finally monkey- shine virtue triumphs. But the villain has not been cap- tured and further adventures as re- gards to his capture"'Will be con- tinued In following releases; Monks are a great laugh In them- selves and their actions and accom- panying voices build. The villain- ous monk Is given one of the-deep- est bassos and dirtiest laughs heard around In many a day. Hemlock's wife has a funny squeaky femme voice. Hemlock's Watson Is a yesman chimp. "LET 'ER BUCK" Rice "Sportlight" Outdoor Novelty 9 Mins. Globe, New York Pathe Takes a back seat to most "Sport- lights," with most all of the rodeo material presenting little that Is new and hasn't been seen all over the country In newsreels for several years. Only difference here nine minutes of it and more complete coverage of a single rodeo than otherwise given. The stampede at Cody, Wyo., chosen, with most all the events Mimatmre Reviews "Abraham Lincoln" (UA). Classic of the sound screen and unquestionably the great- est of the D. W. Griffith works. Every detail from every angle spells box ofllce of universal maximum. "Old English" (WB) War- ners—^Elegant picture aa char- acter study by Arllsa through Galsworthy and perhaps Dick- ens, but will call for most careful placement by chains or Indies to draw the class trade It will only api>eal to. "The Storm" (U)—As a talk- er third time made (twice before silent) this oldtimer will draw strictly on Its merits as a fair- ly good programer-entertalner and through demand for out- door features. Lupe Veles name also for b. o. "The Matrimonial Bed" (WB)—^Falr program materlaL Farce theme based on. what halppened during^ and after a loss-of-memory, rating over the cast from roping to bull-dogging and bronc-bustlng Included In detail and some shots in slow-motion. A few laughs but none other than pro- vided by average newsreel compa- nies, excepting boys riding little calves. Char. "JUNGLE JAZZ" Aesop's Fables Cartoon 7 Mins. LoeW's New York Paths Grood cartoon filler. Musical syn- chronization done especially well by Gene Rodemlch. Tunes used of good choice and pleasing. Nice comedy straight arrangement of that' old fav "Dardanella.'* Usual nightmare antics of the cartoon characters, this time -laid In a jungle. Cartoon animals, sav ages, etc., used as the medium for tiie melodic, and sometimes vo cal, accompaniment "SCHOOL DAZE" Comedy-Songs 8 Mins. Strand, New York Vitaphens The schoolroom locale Is used for -this in the wa.y s6 routine #lth many short subjects ' since sound c^e In. In class. It Is Indifferent materlaL No better, no worse. Jack White school masters or rather m. c's. Between Some geu' eral tapping, a singing trio, a sing- ing and dancing duet White Inter ludea some wisecracks. Some of the latter are so old they Include that one about "forefathers." Waly, "OLD SEIDELBURG" Songs . 8 Mins. Loew's New York Vitaphono No. 4169 Miniature operetta with basic Idea from "Student Frincis." Con- trary to the title. It does not tra^ esty. Pleasing vocal short for any house. Scene is In a German beer gar< den. Boys are students, garbed in same manner as the "Old Heldel- burg" studes In "Student Prince. In between songs a girl does an eccentric-acrobatic dance, which di- versifies nicely. Wash. Settles with Booth Men, but Not Musicians Washington, Aug. 26. Union negotiations finally result- ed in a local contract being signed with the-operators. -It grants a-$6 Increase, but a kickback In over- time, cutting that amount In half. Musicians are banging out for the minimum-number-of-men clause with managers refusing to recog- nize it Managers have been notified that if the music situation isn't pacified by September, operators and stage hands will walk out New Camera Device Hollywood, Aug. 26. A perambulating elevator for cam- eras, devised by John Arnold and Lou Kolb, Is In use at Metro. New arrangement allows the cam- era to be moved transversely, verti- cally or diagonally. Device was used first on "Big House" for following the players up the cell tiers. McKean Off Par News S. H. McKean, asslgmment man of Paramount Sound News, has re- signed, with future plans unstated. He has been with Paramount for some time, previously with Hearst. ABRAHAM LINCOLN United ArtlBta production and release. Directed by I>. W. Qrlftlth. Adaptation and dialOK by Stephen Vincent Benet. John W. Consldliie, Jr.. story and - production ad- visor. Featurlns Walter Huston and Una Merkel. Sets desired by WlUinm Cameron Menzles. Photography,' Karl Struss, Mu- sical score by Hugo Blesenfeld. In the cast: Hobart Boswortb, Kay Hammond, Lucille LaVeme, Ian Keith, Helen Free- man, W. L. Thome. Frank Campeau. Otto HofTman, E. Alyn Warren, Chorles Crock- ett, Henry B. Walthall, Helen Ware, Jason Robards, Russell Simpson, Gordon Thorpe, Oscar Apfel, Fred Warren, Edgar Deerlng, Cameron Prudhomme, James Bradbury, Sr. Opening at Central, Ne'w Tor^t, Aug. 23; twice dally, %2 top. Running time. 03 min- utes. Abraham Lincoln Walter Huston Ann Rutledge Una Merkel Mary Todd Kay Hammond Herndon Jason Robards John Wilkes Booth Ian Keith Robert B. Lee Hobart Bosworth Phil Sheridan Frank Campeau More than an outstanding classic of sound pictures, "Abraham Lin- coln" eclipses the most conservative illusion of a modernized "Birth of a Nation." It Is a startllngly super- lative accomplishment; one rejuv- enating a greatest Griffith. In char- acterization and detail perfection It Is such as to be almost unbelleve- able. In continuity and scenes It projects eis one smooth roll of lit- erally throbbing pulsation, pathos, laughter, with never a momeht's In- terlude for audience let-down. Com- mercially, for all theatres. It should be Grlfilth's biggest contribution to the exhibitor. Next to the direction, with only % tiny margin separating, is Wal- ter Huston's Abraham Lincoln. Young, aging and aged; playful, fighting, grief-stricken; command- ing, pleading—Huston feels the life of Lincoln untU,-^ many times. It seems as though Hollywood has finally afFected the miracle of res- urrection. The broken Bobert B. Lee on the eve. of his surrender Is likewise summoned for a few moments be- fore the camera in Hobart Bos- worth. The fighting Sherman and his mad plunge in victorious retali- ation Is similarly returned for a short time In the commanding zest of Frank Campeau. The entire cast down to the shortest-lived extra could be similarly extolled for Im parting the sincerity of realism which this picture breaths through at least 90% of its running time. What perhaps. Is the most re markable of all qualities possessed by this classic is the way In which so stupenduous a theme has been shaped for the screen. The reac- tions before, during and after the war blend In a finale that teaches only steadfast nobleness of purpose for the good of the nation. Robbed of- none of its vigor or gunshot this Griffith masterpiece yet contains not a physical gesture, not a line of dialog, that would of- fend race, color, creed or b<ellef. It has achieved that happy medium whereby b.oth sides are always winning—and both win. The Yanks' parade past the brownstone fronts is edited as quickly Into the Dixie boys' fiag waving, as conferences of the Presi- dent and his cabinet are turned to the thrills of galloping cavalry, or the tirades of the lovable Mary Todd Lincoln with the White House servants. A vivid prolog, reviewing the times, with camera sweeping through dark-lit forests, hazy fields and clouded cities, brings the opening to the little log cabin and the birth of Abe. Romance of Lincoln and Ann Rutledge is slightly unconvincing in parts. Una Merkel, at times, seems too light to attract a man of the woodcutter's depth. She as quickly makes up for a childishness of voice at the death scene, which Is one of the Impressive scenes. Lincoln then gives vent to full emotion for the first and last time, falling upon her grave In a blinding storm. From the first fight In the country store and the passing of Ann, Hus- ton then begins to make the per- sonality of Lincoln heighten in de- grees of realism. The' maximum of fineness in the actor's performance Is unquestionably during the brood- ing and sorrowing moods of his characterization. The scenes at Springfield, 'Where he meets the haughty Mary Todd have considerable comedy. Iilncoln's abrupt method of being Introduced, the dance, and later his failure to appear at his own marriage cere- mony—all have . a . genuine comic side which is augmented by its very human Interest. The association of Lincoln Is classically melodramatic. A study In theatre shadows Is capitalized by Grlfilth, as the murderer steals to the President's box. The director has availed himself of Innumerable similar opportunities throughout the picture. One particularly good study Is the descent of the long Lincoln, his height Increased by the stovepipe hat against a narrow flight of stairs. Again, as Lincoln enters his first cabinet meeting, the silhouette camera is used to much advantage. >- Use of RIesenfeld's musical score is another stroke of artistry. Al- ways off-set the muted orchestra- tion lends an emphasis or an under- standing. United Artists Is po.ssesscd of a bookful of data concprnlnp the props and research which went Into the production. Exploitation and the opportunity for tie-ups with educational centers are unusual and unlversaL ' The picture on the screen, however, more than sub- stantiates the claims of statisticians. OLD ENGLISH (With Arliss) Warner Bros, production and release. Starring George Arllss. Dlcected by Alfred B. Green. Adapted by Walter Anthony and Maude Howell from the play written by John Galsworthy (English), of soma stage title. At Warners, New York, at |a top, twice dally on run, Aug. 21. Run- ning time, 83 minutes. Slylvanus Heythorp George Arllss Jock ' Leon Janny Mrs. Larne Doris Lloyd Phyllis Larne Betty Lawford Joe Phlllln Ivan Simpson Famey Harrington Reynolds Bob Phlllln Reginald Sheflleld Charles Ventnor Murray KlnneU Adela Heylhorp Ethel OrlfOea Lett/ Henrietta Goodwia An elegant character study by George . Arliss, perhaps more, * talker lesson In acting by a profound professor at It but not a money picture in the sense of a smash nor a near hit for popular consump> tlon. The very nattire of the solo acting and the story Itself set this Warner .classic for class appeal only. That means It may draw more anywhere at $2 than 60c; that it must be carefully placed by chains and Indle circuits, to locate only In the localities that may get the carriage trade, and that perhaps for the first time among the pic- tures, remembering "Disraeli," "Old English" may preferably be played as a road show throughout ihe country in populpus' spots . for better. returns to the producer, rather than to generally release right away for the grinds. Carry- ing In mind that niany of the legit houses all over are now wired and that "Old English" at $1.50 top In those houses will be as good • drama as any of those towns wlU see this coming season-besides Ar- llss. Warner Brothers may take a loss on Arlls.1, with "Disraeli" or "Eng- lish" or both, or as they probably did with "Green Goddess," but meanwhile the film industry Im- measurably profits. That comes through Arllss. He's a greater up- lift to the screen than he has been to the stage, for the stage Is cen- turies old and has held some great actors. E'ut none greater than George Arllss. As tfioae stage per- sonators have come down through posterity and legend, so will the name of Arllss live In the theatre of all time. And as Mi*. Arllss Is "Old Eng> Ush," and "Old Eneiiah" Is 80 as , you see both upon the stage, there's • naught for flaps, saps or cracki lii this reprp.dtiotlon of tb»- John Galsworthy iatage play. Since Mr; Galsworthy, th6 creator of "Old English" lA English, as Is Mr,, Ar- llss, Mr. Galsworthy assuredly must have Wrlttdh his play as he believed Charles Dickens would have pre- ferred, antjl Mr. Arllss characterizes It as Dickens, would have enjoyed. Arllss has thoroughly learned hi* camera. He plays Into it now. At one moment, shortly before he dies while the audience watches an old man at 80 pass out Mr. Arltss looks, talks and stares into the camera. It means he Is sitting right out In the orchestra before you, a living man off the screen. It's fascinating in its way, as Mr. Arllss is a fascinat- ing player. It's too bad the flaps won't see him. A total reproduction of the stage play, all Interiors, may be one salvage for the Warners In that "Old English" seems to have cost little beyond the salaries of the cast and ctaff. Of the staff large bunches of bouquets will go to Alfred E. Green, Its director. Mr. Green cstn take them all, as he got for "Disraeli," but who will say that Arllss can be directed? Or Jannlngs? These mas- ters who know their stuff. Thls'.stQEy AossR't enthrall Aa did ^Disraeli." Disraeli Is Sy^bollQ of a great force, an emoire; Old Eng- lish, let'It ev^r be ^regretted, has been mad0 into a .crob^- at 8(r, And dies at 8.0 td «vtide discoveiry. That his :one wrong act was,committed - to i^rovlde an aiihul^ for a mother and her .two children Is hardly the proper alibi, since that also and at 80 brought out the old man's family skeleton, as bis own physical being was near a skeleton Itself. Otherwise this wilful old badg- erer Is rather likable and whimsical in his own humorous sense. And he only went wrong over |30,000, 10% commission on a $300,000 buy of five boats. It's nothing at all, lads. In the show business. But a couple of weeks ago a' banking house in New York tried to shove through a theatre deal because It was splitting a commission of $160,- 000 If It got over. It didn't get over. And If It had, no one would have committed suicide, even by the sweet route Old English took, a good meal, port an^ brandy. The brandy did It If he didn't get a stroke. Old English just missed It by dying a second ahead. And peacefully. Because one of those Idnd of lawyers haC gotten wise to the old man's .cop and the lawyer wanted hla $1,500 debt paid Immedl- (Cuntlnucd on page 46)