Variety (Dec 1936)

Ifednesday* Beccmber SOj 1936 P I C ¥« RE S VARIETY 27 (Gohtinued from pag4 26) 5^J;»'^g^S£j^^;^v^l-■"^'^ *^?st and prtductlon, *»ltoi Xhe . (Purlt^^^ western. Tim McCoy. . Dir. Sy N6u£eld. 60 mlqs; Rel. Aug. 29; Rev .Nov 4 rallB of the "Wild (Syndicate). Kermit Maynard western; Dlr • 58 itilns. . Rev. Dec. 16. • .• V'- Ir..Lo lyilng- Foreign Language Films Ir. Feriiando ^iWarlo:''Mat- so 'fiO }M6st of these amitahle with English tUiesy. AtU en Rancho Grand« (Sp), Mexican musical. Tito Guizar. de Fuentes. 90 mins. Rel. Nov. 15. Rev. Dec 2 Anio. T* Sola (It). (Nuovo Mohdo). Love under hiiiidlcaD tloti. 75 mlns. Rel, July 15. Rev. July 22 •Amour de/Tonl, Les, (Fr)-(Metropolis). Heavy diama. . iplns. Rel\ Nov, 1. Rev. Nov. 18/ Anna (Russ)'.,(Amklno).:\- tove and intri mius; Rel. July 1. Rey. July 2^^ Abb* imd EUsabeth^(G«)^^^ HCavy drami Hertha Thiele Dorothea Wiecker-pir. Frank Wysbar. . 70 mlns. Rel; June 1., Rev. July ^^^1^^^ Asl Es La Mujer (Sp)* Frothy romance: ir. Jose Bohr. 70 mins. R61, AX l)^rF(k^escir (Hunc).; SemiVhIstprical driama. Dir, Bela Gaal. ^ mini! ,Rei. .Sept. -15. . • ■.' Baratsagos Arcbt kerek (Hiing) (Danubla) .Romantic farce.- ■ ■; mlns, ■ Rel.-Oct.'-1;,;.- ■■ Blufkler de iSevllle, Xe (Fr) (Franco) . , Jean Kemiti. 80 niins. Rel. ^ept.i' Btircairoie (.Ufa) (Ger)i, Offenbach's' opera. Gustav roehlich Neusser. B3 mins. Rel.-Oct. 15. Rev. Oct. 21; *^?^""cn, Befebl^ist iBefehl, (Ger) (Casino). Army fai^ce. Weiss Ferdl. 70 hilns. R,el. Nov.. 15. ■.70 Dir. rlc Biibbldjlan (Riiss) (Amklno). Life in Soviet's Jewish colony. Sablth. 84 niins. Rel. Oct; 1.' Rev; Oct; .21. Korsch- Calandrla; La (Sp). Romance of a $inger. Dir. Fernando de Fuer 60 mlns .-.-.Rel, Oct li " "»Mw. Caivarlo de ITna^EsIibsa, El (Sp). Mexican ..sentimental drama. 70.;mins. Rel.: Sept, 15. Campo- bl Magglo (U) (New^^^^^ Story by Mussolini about Kapoleb^ Dir. G. Forzano 100 mins, Rel. Sept. 1. Rev. Sept; 16. " CapeUb i Tre Pim^^ Jfarce.- Dir;. Mario CamerlnL 70 inlns, ReL Sept.: 15. Rev.: Sept. 50.: . v.«..reiuu. CibouletteV(Fr) (^Vanco);^^ Dlr; Ciaiude Lara, 60 mins.; ReL Se^t. is: .'dl Sorrento,. La' (it) (Niiovo Mbndb); From Slastriahi's classic Dlr; Nunzio JVIalaspiifima. 72 niins. Rel, Aug, 1. Rev. Aug. 5. CleUta LIndq (Sp). Mexican^ m^ 80 mlns. Rel. -Nov. .1;... '■ |>espareiB.tdb, JBi (Sp). Melodrama. Meyler. 80 mlns.. ReL June 1.: Cln Auto und Keln: Geld (Ger) (Germania). Musical farce. . J. Fleck. 89 mins. Rel. Aug. 1.: Rev. Aug. 12. ^'^H^*^*T^^^Kj^'tJ?.** (Ger) (Casino). From Oscar Strauss' operetta. JjilDagoVer. Dlr ..Viktor Jansen; 82 miins. Rel. Jiily Is. Rev. July JBteber a iUd Alatt (ttu^ drama. Dir. Laszlo Vajda. 75 mins, Rel. Nov. 15r Rev. Dec. X . . falirt in die Jugend.. Die (Geri (Casino); comedy. °^ Carl Boese. 80 ..v.. minSi. Re;l. Sept;' h ' ,o- i1«t T«liBtas Del (It) (NUbyo Mbodo). Talky comedy. Angelb Musco. Dlr^ . Amleto Palerml. 80 mins. Rel. Jiily 1. Rev. Jiiiy 15. •. rtlesemipt (Ger). Nazi propaganda. - Dir. Werner Kortwlch. 102 mins. ReL Oct. 15. Rev.. Oct 28. *"^ ''*'* »?niht SIcb tim Llebe, (Oer). Mystery-romance. Charlotte . Susa, 8Q mlns. Rel. Nov. 15. , ^ l** Spow^GarlWdl^ Italian Joan o£ Arc Dir. A. BlfissettL 75 . . mliu. ReU Oct IS. Rev; Nov. 18. -rr^ 6lMek^lBe :(Ger) (Caslnb)v Drama* of adolescence. Dir. Robert A, Stenunle. . 80 mins. Rel. Oct. 15. . Gypsies XRUss) (Amklno>. Saga ol collective farms. Dir. Eveenl Schneider. M. • Ck>ldblatt. 85/nilB& RA Ju:^ 15. R^. Aug. 5; eliies Blut (Ger) (Ufa). Romatitic drama. Marikka Roekk; Dir. Georff Jacoby. 60 niins. Rel. Sept 15. oy Comlcn^ JU .Vld*. (Sp)., OomesUc drama. 80 mins. pen Sehttfi Mish^Nacsh Dlr (Ger) (Casino). Backstagie operatic^. Louis Graveure. CamlUir Horn. 90 mlns; Dir. Johannes Rlemanh. Rel. Sept 1. Rev. . seiit.'.M.' •™»»^ C^)/'Marital mix^^^ Rafael Sevilla. inlns. ReL laat 1<^) JCiidi)(d*>. rwiniad in Bohemia. . EmU SyBek. 81 mins. Rel. <**<5i'>-*^''^'^'*«^ Oct 15. Rev. Oct 28. .MBiii, pjf^(RiB») (.teil^ Gcrm«n.lankua£e story of Hitler cruelties. Dir. Gost^ W«|Mtcidtelm. tf mlns. ReLS^ •"•SS! "•i"5*^^JKi^^l Comedy a(pcc Dir. Jacques Teyder.- 85 w jnates. Rri^ Sept 15., Bev. Sept 30. ^ K«caic«M|«cr fGer) (Ufa). Opdretta.. WlHI fprst Dir. Herbert Maisch. 80 inlaa. ReL Oct 15. Rev. Nov, 11. '^Jff** iS^> (Casino). MuslcaL Chas. Kullman. Leo SlezaV:.. Karl . : HetoK Martin. aS rolas. ReL Oct 15. Rev. Oct. 28. U>»y Jg MiBdh a l a ll r (HuBjg) (Danubla). Lif*in• d^fldren'ssdhobL ir, Istvan ^*??^«^>^-. 75 >nlns.^ReL Oct 15. Rev. Oct 2>: (Ger) (CaslBo). OperetU based on Martlu.' Anton. ,_*»_5»iBS. ReL Oct 1. Rev; Oct 21. I il eleile yte - (Ger) (Tobls). Drama oi modem Ufe^ Benate Mueller. Gustav .v^-^'roehUdi; Dlt: Erie Wastibseck. 95 mlns, ReL Oct. 1. Rev; Oct 7. •^••^JS" i?» ■»«« HapsbBTg CGet) (Casino). Historical -item. Dir. Willi WoUr. 81 mins. ReL Sept 1 Rev. Oct 21. Ued QAt^ Die welt,(der) (Tobls). MuslcaL Joseph Schtnldt MM,^ N^'^^^'^ ^ Sept 15 Rev. Sept 30. Ufa DoB Bo9c« (It) (Nuovo Mondo). Life of the saint Uesandirl. ^ 90 mlns. Rel. Mi»y-15. Rev. June 2«: •*«» «2"Mne"« (It) (Nuovo Mondo). Raffles Uves again, Dir. Adelqui Millar. 72 mins. ReL June 15. Rev. July 1. ■Mres dcl Mmdo (Sp). Ronuace. made la Mexico. - ir. Rlnaldo. Agiiilar. 80 ^ ; mins. ReL Auip. 15. ■ttBewry Mltonie (Polish). Operetta. . NowinarPrzybylski. 70 mins. Nov. 1. Rev. Nov. 18. , Mwer Nostra (Sp). (Mexican drama). Dir.. Gabriel Sora, 70 mins. Rel, Sept; 1. JJebater 1st BiB JaegermanB (Get) (Casino). Old-fashioned farce. Leo ^ezak. Dir. Walter Kolm. 85 mins; Rel. Sept 1. Rev. Sept; 16. MeaeaiMo (Hung) (Danubla). Cinderella in Budapest. Dir. Bela Gaal. 90 mins; - ReL. Nov. 1. Rev. Nov.: 18.' .»«erables, lies (Fr). (Franco-AmericanV; Hugo's classic. ;Hatry Baur* ir. ^ ^Raymond Bernard. ' 162 mins. ReL Oct 15. Rev. Nov; 4. ,. • Mueder Tbeodor. Der (Ger). Backstage farce.- Weiss Ferdl. Dlr, Har- Ian. ..'if. mins. ReL Oct 15.' Rev. Oct. 28. MBler del Pncrto. La (Sp)Xife iB Mexico.; Dir. Aroady 70 mins. Rel. ^ .Aiig..,15.- ■ .■ innUKer: Seefahrer,, Der (Ger) (Casino). 'Heavy farce, s/ ^ ^ mins. ReL Nov. 15. Rev. Nov. 125; luysteries. of Notre- Dame (Fr) (DuWortd), Probably best described ,-. . tra.yelQgue.r .65 roins. Rel, Oct 15. Rev. Nov. :4. «e SlrJ ;Edesahyam (Hung) (Dahiib^a).- Falth-healihg at the LoUrdes Shri ^ Dir, Bela Balogh.. 60 mins; Bel. Nov, 15, Rev. Nov. 25.: News Of U,S;S.R. (RUss) (Amkino). Just what the title denotes; ■. June 15. ■ ■ ■ . IghUngale (Russ) (Amklnb). First Moscow. 95 mins. Rel. Nov, 1, Rev. Nov. ll. ra solsldart (Sw) (Scandinavian): Romance. Lars ustaf . lander. 90 intns, ReL Aug: 15 Rev; Sept 16. , ra^porto Rosso (It) (New World). It's a hard life; Isa Miranda. GUlde ^_.: Brignone.. 80 .mins... ReL Aug, 15, Rev. Sept 9. rorteiMfl de Paia, La (Fr) (Lenaiier); Weepy meUer. Rene ^ , ReL July 1. Rev. July 8. Maitoczi March (Hung) (Danubla). Military drama, mms.. ReL Oct: 15, Rev, Opt 28. -Scarpo Al Soljs. ta (It) (Nuovo Mondo). War k:.!.! ReL June L Rev. June 10, >chlussakkord (Ger) (Ufa). Drama, Lil mins. is-u -^x^V- Sept. 16. fcchuesterne Casanova, Dcr (Ger) Carl ^^amac; 60 Diins. Rel. ug. 15.. \ ' ^erpente a SonagU (It). (Nubvo Mondo). Murder in a girl's school. . Rafaelo a*., -^*^^3Z2o; 85 mliis: . ReL Aug, 15. Rev, Aug. 19. ■even Brave Men (RUss): (Aniklno), Adventure In the Arctics. Gersl-^ si;. 91 mins.. ReL June 1. Rev. June 24,\ sne-Beyil. Island (FD). Mexlcanrmade drania.. Dir. 65 «« » .'^'^*^^ ReL Aug. 15. Rev. Aug, 16. BO juana incs dc la Cruz (Sp)] Mexican '"on 8am.^®°?* ">lns, ReL June 1 oviaacen Karemaden (Ger) (Zwlcker). Teutonic propaganda. ^ ^a»^ Sf^l-. ?»0,mins. ReL Oct 1. Revv Oct.. 7. ;V, ,,1 «. aong of China: (Chinese) (MacEean). Drama in th ir, Lo Mlng-Yau. Son R«^- Nov. 1, Rev. Nov, IL , , . ^ T ™,onBollat (Russ) (Amkino). Propaganda of the Mongolian sector, atiit^i- 105 mW ReL Nov.; 15, Rev, Nov,^ , ^ '".uizen der 6esellschaft (Ger) (Ufa); Ibsen's oldie in a new ver^oifc Dlr, frail80 rtiins; Rel, Nov. 1. Rev, Nov. 18. , ^ . . ^ «raumulu() (Ger) (Tobls). Heavy drama; Enill Jannuigs, ir, Carl Froehlich, 105 mins. ReL Sept 15. Rev. Sept 23. 90 as a 74 .mlns. teven Szekely,- 82 Marco :■ YEAR'S RECORD SHOWS EASTERN SHORTS RISE , The inprease in short feature pro- diictipn in the east with a cbincideht' decli on the * viyidly shown in compilation of pictures ap- pi-dved hy the^ Hays office, produc- tion code adirii istration; The eastf ern oCEice, operated by irice Hart and Pr. James A. Wingate- approved 495 short feature subjects in the cur- rent yeair as against 406 in 1935, West cpiast production code ■aidtninlstration office, in charge pf Joseph I. reenV okayed only 318, shorts in 1936 as against 445 in 1935. %sterh:.;Hays code; ice passed 77 features this year is cbiiipared with 73 approved dunrtg 1935. ; V ; In contrast to the small number of features that went througji the eastern office,, the Breen code admi - istration west .put its sea;! of appfbyal ori 675 features in 1936. This corn- pares, ith 825^ feature ictures okayed in the preceding year. Qf^ this nuniber, 516 were new features and 309 were reissues. For this year, 560.were new features and 115 were reissues; Of the 675 total. These features represent the hulk' of fea- ture i^roductibh turned out. by. the Hollywood studios." The features passbd on by the east- ern: production, code officials this year included numerous ■ fihgUsh- indde pictures andl othier foreign prp- ductiohs.. Ptem From Daiftes (Continued frbm pagre 26) ment in that sum obtained by Joseph Goldm last July. Claim is for his services as iiicome tax expert Helfin Hayes gave a mass inter- 350 school. paper reporters at the Broadhorst yesterday (Tues- day). , ^11 Laboratories ta get a gold medal from the AmericaB Institute for its advanceinent in research. ,J?^J?l^'J?^y btoiight * crowd of 100,000 to Coney Island. . Wnor in the Ibrass Rail on Seventh avenue ;SatUrday night Mht several himdred basement and ground floor patrons to the street forgetful of their checks. Fire lossi slifht Couirt finds the Paris ivbirce of the late Edward Browning to be legal, which. eistablishes Frances (Peaches) Browning as his legal Wile, strengthening her claim to, her share of his estate.; . David Levine^ Chicago motion pic-' ture man, died in Bellevue Dec. 26, of exhaustive psychbisis. Had arrived from Europe oh the Europa Thurs^ day and taken direct to the hospital suffering from auditory hallucina- .tions. Earnest A. MacAuley iand Sidney Harris teained up to produce 'When in Disgrace.'. It's by Victor Wittgen- stein and Sheridan Gibney; . Illness of llobert Harris, who plays Keats in 'Aged 20/ caused a dark house at the . Lyceum Monday. , Extra Friday mat announced to even things up* World's Fair has already 25% sub- scribed.' Scenic rehearsals of 'The Eternal Road, were held Monday. Actors will be added today (Monday). Fitm Reviews Windbag tKe Sailor (Cbhtihued from page 11) This gives rise to a funny, situation: when he is'iiummdxed by the boys' technical questioning. . He : fools his patroness, who forces upon him the command of a small cargo boat boiind for, the West, Indies. He plans to be saved/.by an, llthrhour- fake telegram,, which. fells 'to, materiialize, and his consterriation when he fihdis the boat putting off : virith. himself in commarid .is xilmost tragic, desjpite. the ludicrousiaess-of the situation. It is soon apparent, the fiirst mate' intends to scuttle .the ship, Ayhich: is really unse9w6rthy,: and leave the: 'captain' to. His doom,,along w;ith two of his; cronies, ^vho have;stowed away for adventurei This abandonment: has been previously arranged . with -the other owner oif the shippihg com- pany, who needs thie; insurance and explaiins Xvhy the ticKetless barged was given command. Windbag escapes , with his 'friehds on a raft, and the best bit of comedy comes wheni after. days of :istarvati6n, their salvaged radio set gives a cook- ing liecture with a tahitalusrlike'der scriptiqn Of a goose and luscious iac- cessb'ries. Reminiscent of Maclrityre and Heath's'The Ham Tree.' It is a Ibwbrbw. . attractibn and, after laughing some at the inanities, one. comes to the : conclusion that maybe a lowbrow isn't to be pitied; ; WiU Hay, one of England's most artistic comedians, is ideal ii:i.;:the central character. ■ With, tbe compel tent supporting caise, good produptidn and slick directibn, a , picture has been completed that " certain to please the populace here and nhake an acceptable prbgrammer , ' the U. S. Coast Allen Smiley,, indie producer, filed suit in'L. A. agairist Joseph Reichel and Edward Massour for $6,900 al- legedly due for writing a scenario for the pair, Eleanor Minon. Martha DeVeaux and Elaine Shepard, actresses, appeared as witnesses for the plaintiff. Viola Briggs .i , A.: against Harlan riggs, actbr, seek- ing; $500 monthly maintenance. She named Merle,. Weeks,', fdrmet 'film player, as . cb-respbnderit They were married in •1914 :and have four children. -Melba Deane, divorced in Carson Gity, Nev., from Emanuel Praguer, soloist ith. Ben Berhi She ap- peared in several Metr shbwgiri. ' ■ L. A. judge refused to grant: W. G. Proper an anniilment of his marriage to Gay Johnson Proper, actress; Proper claimed she led hiiti to be-, lieve she .was younger, than her true age. pAgliacci <BBItlSH If Ai>E) • London, Dec: 12.- united. Artists releaae of <Crafa1trar Fllinfl. .Max Scbaclf pro4urtlpn. Sturs Richard Tauber; featurea Stem Duna, Diana "Kapler, nirected by Karl Grune. Adaptation and dialog, Monckton .Hofte, Roger Burford; Trom opera by .LcoBcavallo: lyrlca, John Drink water i . mtislc conducted .by A Ibert Coates; arranged ;by Hans Kisltif; camera, .Otto ICantiirek.' At London Hlppodroine,- Dec. U, '30. :, Running tlnne. U5 nilnsi Canl^ ......«'...;. ' ,,,.Richard .I'aiiber Pjedda- ........... .S'teffl Duna Trina .•...'.f .;.,,>.■,,,';»,. ..pinna .Napier : Tonlp , ...jyrthur^ Margetaon Silvio .>>..';';;.....'.Esni'oiid/Knight' ■.Beppe. jvi...Jerry Verho^ Litone . i.......i.-.■,i.;G(>rdon Jnimefl Coach .i...>...>..........rvah WHmpt From almost every angle, this pro- duction is a dignified and distinctive one. Story of Leoncavallo's opera admirably fits the personality 6i the star, in that he is capable of ren- dering the prolog and 'On With the Motley' with perhaps greater vocal skill than any other living tenor. With this asset as a nucleus, the color sequences splendidly photo- graphed in Chemicolor; music con- ducted by Albert Coates; adaptation, lyrics, dialog, black and white pho.tography and all other depart- ments handled by .pebiile expert in their. respective assigrinients, and talented players in all the, principal roles, iah excellent atmospheric pror duction is the outpome. •• . Period costuming and color soft- enin: materially assists the stocky physique of the star, (who, inci- dentally, has considerably reduced his embbnpoint) giving him the ap- p^arance of greater height and dig- nity. : Steffi Duna is dainty and appeal- ing in the part of the faithless wife, also imbued with greater charm in the color scenes. If her love pas- sages with Silvio are a little sudden and improbable, blame must be laid to the original .story. Esniond :: Knight an adequate portrayal , and Arthur Margetson asr. is ex- cellent, albeit a trifle too modern. Jolo. . ROMANZE ('Romance') (AUSTRIAN MADE) Vienna, Dec 18; . Palri.i prbinictlon'.anil j'Olease. PircptSd by Herb(»rt yelplh; . Dialog, .T6se:t Wonter; mii.Mlc..' Augu.st Pepoeck. At ApoIlolOno, Uec; I.',' 'W. . (in Cerman) " Excellent setting, as the play starts in the Africati wilderness. Story is rather weak, author must have had Oscar Wilde's 'Lady Windemere's Pan' in, mind,. He. chahge.5^ the plot by having the girl marry the wrong man. but to whom she later remains Ungdom Av I Dag . (S\v) (Par). Domestic comedy, Ahne-Marle Bruhlus, V P. A. Branner. 03 mins; Rel, June 15. Rev, July 1. U,S,S.R, Kewsrcel (Russ) (Amkino); Late; liews eyents spiced Into feature. S7 mins . Rel. June 15. Rev. July 8i Vanui Pojkc (Sw) (Scandinavian). Romance. Edvard Person, Arne Bornebusch. 93 . mins. ReL Oct. 1. Rev. Oct. 21, Verlorene TaU Dat (Ger) (.Casino). Love In the mountains. - bcrger, 100 mins; ReL May 15. Bev; July :!. • . Wackere Schustiermeister (Ger) (Germanla). Farce. Dlr, Carl Heinz Wol 90 mins. Rel,'July 1. ; Rev; July 15; Waldwlnter (Ger) (Ufa). Love in the SUes go mins. ReL Nov. 1, Rev. Nov. 18. Walzer fuer Dich Kin fCei-) (Casino).. Musical fantasy, .: ihllla Horn. Dlr; Georg Zoch. 90 mins. RcL Sept. Wclberreglment (Ger) (Ufa); Military comedy. Dir. ins, Rel. Sept. 15. Rev, Sept. 16, Wean Der Hahm Kraeht (Ger) (Casino). roeh- lich, .60 mlns. Rel. Nov. 15. Yellow Cruise (Fr) .(Tapcjrnoux). Travelogue, partly , In EnglIslv. Leoii Poirler. 90 mins. ReL NOV, 15. Rev. Nbv, 25. ' - "^^^ true during the tragic moments of her life, when she forgets, a fan in Romanelli's home. .' Plot has attached tb it a modern industrial spy story with humerouis settings. Richard Waldemar, one of Vienna's foremost pre-war operetta, comedians, is in this cast, with great success. " Maass. NATALKA POLTAVKA (OPERETTA) (RUSSIAN MADE) . .'Amkino: prbdtiictlon. and feieatie,' Features M. Htvlnenko Volmut and 12, Patoralriaki; with C. Shkurt,.-; G. ;-AIslhko, >r. Platbnoff and ■: V. Sfhestakovski. Directed by E. Ka:valerldze;-musl«ial :scoji-e by v;. lorlsta. At Boosevelt, N; Y., week Dec, 22, '80. Running tl 73 mlns. (In Russian) . This fitst Soviet Ukranian operetta possesses no originality or even modicum of action. It is juvenile in plot development. The fllnti lacks comedy balance.' There is not a single yoimgigh looking member of - <ast. Not only is it filled with end- less flow of words but the'singing has been permitted to pile up so that it all sounds alike. Yet, as the first operatic attempt in a Russian film,;' 'Natalka Pbltavka' probably will attract attention and grab some coin in foreign language thieatres where they understand what it is all abbut. ■■' ^ \^ Production boasts the presence of M. Litvihenko Volmut, whd won his chevrons as a baUadist with the Ukrainian State Opera. He has an expansive, well-trained . voice. E; Patorzinski, also favoided in billing, checks in with some nifty vocal gyrations. However, they are per- mitted to burst into- song far too often.* Same is true of all others in east nope.of whom will excite any attention in this country. Producers and director indicate amazing ignorance of what it takes tp make even a ;-' half-presentable light opera. Result is ^a contiziUQUs procession of blatant close^iips, with valrioiisly delegated cast members expostulating or warbling at each other. Only interruption to this, procedure are meaningless distant shots or a semi-educational view of the grain fields of thef clouds. Practi- cally all European producers by this time have decided landscapes and upper stfatas no longer are needed in features. It's a recital of young love tri-.; umphant despite all persuasions to force village belle intd lov^ess marriage. Tale lacks the light touch of an operetta, which it obviously intended to attain, and fails: to inject enough majesty or pomp to rate as.. a full-fledged opera. , Musical score is not bad. Camera- tricks are clears, cut though possessing ho variety of originality. Ballading may orpvide. some restful moments.; Weon The Crimson Circle (BRITISH MADE) Du^orld leleaHe ot Richard Walnwrlnht production. Features Hugh Wakefleld, Al- fred Dayton," June Duprejs, Noah Beery,'. Renee Gadd, Directed by Reginald Den- Jiain. 'Story,' Edgar Wallace: camera,: Pkll Tennur*. At Olobe, N. Y,. week Dec. 20, 'w; Running tl 75 mlns. Derek Yale. ,.,>.,.;...... .Hugh AV<«keflel<l Iniipector Parr......;..... ..Alffed Dayton . Jiine'. Diiprie;i .i;„.Noah Be«ry .,. ..Renee (ladd .Mall McGlnnlr- Sylvia' Hammond, FellK. Marl, :AIIJIIe Macroy..., Jack Beardman..' The Edgar: Wallace mtirdef mys- tery. 'The Crimsbn Circle,' made in England with an all-British^' cast ex- cept for Noah Beery, is considerably superior to pictures of its kind com- ing put of the tight little isle and in the American market should do sat- isfactorily as the No. 2 feature. In the film editing the funning time could have been reduced a little, but production detail and action are not overboard far endiigh to interfere much. [ It is the detective work, rather than the activities of the extortion gang respbnsible for a flock of mur- ders, that makes tCrimson Circle* fairly enjbyable film fare. It i^'t as laborious as in some American^: niades and absence of a lot of--dull questioning helps. A -character tor, Alfred Dayton, whb plays an in- spector of police, is the picture's his- trionic highlight and, being le.ss Brit- ish than most of the cast, is worthy of Hollywood attention. Dayton has a fine voice and plenty of poi.<?«». while the romantic leads, June Duprez and Niall McGinnis, are a bit weak, the latter espe- cially, A fine nerfofmance is turned in; by Hugh Wakefield, the actual. head of the crimson circle gang who cloaks his identity a great deal by posing as an amateur detective arnd mixes into Scotland Yard investiga- tions. ./ He is tx partial giveaway not far from the end but most of the way the. suspense is very effectively sus- tained. The operations of the crim- .son circle ring are a bit fantastic and the wholesale capture by police i the finail reel somewhat overdonf» but generally the plot impresses. Noah Beery plays a questionable character who is among those murdered. In production values, including photography of interiors as well as exteribrs. the import is far from lacking, comparison with the . do- mestic product, being good. Chof.