MOTION PICTUPE PEVIEW.S WOMEN'S UNIVERSITY CLUB LOS ANGELES, CALIF 1930 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 with funding from Media History Digital Library h tt ps ://a rc h i ve . o rg/d eta i I s/m ot i o n p i ct u re revO 0wo m e The following reviews are written particularly to give an idea of the suitability of the pictures as entertainment for children and adolescents. The age limits are, of course, purely autocratic, but as some limitations were necessary these were chosen, and it is thought that parents can adapt the information to meet the special require- ments of individual children. We wish to call attention also to the few outstanding productions which the committee found of special interest as adult entertainment. It is generally believed that encouragement of fine pictures will be the method of bringing more to the screen, and at the same time our own motion picture attendance may be made more enjoyable. Of such films we recommend “Disraeli,” “Hallelujah,” and “Seven Days Leave.” For children we recommend “So This is College.” Mrs. John Vruwink, General Chairman. Mrs. George Ryall, Mrs. Harold VanMetre, Chairman of Previews. Vice-Chairman. THE BATTLE OF PARIS. Gert- the South from the stage play by Booth rude Lawrence. Direction by Rob- Tarkington and Harry Leon Wilson. It is musical drama of professional gamb- ert Storey. All dialogue with mus- a lers on the old Mississippi River boats ical interpolations. Paramount. about 1850, and the romantic and excit- Melodrama set in the streets and dives ing tale is unfolded with beautiful South- of Paris’ Latin Quarter. It is a vehicle ern backgrounds and atmosphere to add developed for Miss Lawrence, who is cast to the story. The action is, of course, as a winsome immoral cabaret gamin typical of the period. who, after robbing her man, sets out to ADOLESCENTS, 12 to 16. CHILDREN, 6 to 12. win his love. It is sophisticated in Exciting. Doubtful. theme and action and is quite unsuitable for immature audiences. CONDEMNED. Ronald Colman, ADOLESCENTS, 12 to 16. CHILDREN, 6 to 12. No. No. Ann Harding. Direction by Wes- ley Ruggles. All dialogue. United CAMEO KIRBY. J. Harold Mur- Artists. ray, Norma Terris. Direction by The setting is the French penal colony, Irving Cummings. All dialogue. “Devil’s Island,” and the hero a thief, serving time. The romance between the Fox. thief and the warden’s wife brings about An interesting and colorful story of very dramatic situations on which the •2- emphasis is laid, rather than on the hu- “find,” whose lover proves unworthy. The man relationships. The result is thrill- logical ending is a surprise. ing melodrama which, nevertheless, is en- ADOLESCENTS, 12 to 16. CHILDREN, 6 to 12. Little Interest. No Interest. tertaining because of the ability of the cast. ADOLESCENTS, 12 to 16. CHILDREN, 6 to 12. THE GREAT DIVIDE. Ian Keith, No. UnwhoJesomely No. Mackaill. Direction Exciting. Dorothy by Reginald Barker. Warner Bros. The story is familiar. It is of a pam- DISRAELI. George Arliss. Direc- pered society girl in search of a thrill tion Louis N. Parker. All dia- by who is kidnapped by a “man-of-the- logue. Warner Bros. great-open-spaces” and subdued by love. The picture is the translation to the The settings are lovely and the romance screen of the stage play which is prob- appealing. ably Mr. Arliss’ most conspicuous ADOLESCENTS, 12 to 16. CHILDREN, 6 to 12. Interesting. Harmless. achievement. It is highly recommended as an outstanding production. The plot concerns the political conflict of Disraeli HALLELUJAH. Daniel Haynes, and Gladstone and the acquisition for Nina MacKinney. Direction by England of the Suez Canal in 1875. King Vidor. All dialogue and ADOLESCENTS, 12 to 16. CHILDREN, 6 to 12. music. M.-G.-M. Excellent. Good, But Mature in Theme. An intensely gripping and powerful pic- ture showing the moral struggles and EVIDENCE. Pauline Fredericks, emotional raptures of the Southern negro Wm. Courtenay. Direction by John —a cross section of negro life and men- tality, remarkably directed and photo- Adolfi. All dialogue. Warner Bros. graphed. It has real appeal to the intel- A drama of mother love which becomes ligence. absorbing because of the excellence of ADOLESCENTS, 12 to 16. CHILDREN, 6 to 12. Miss Frederick’s performance and those Too Sophisticated and Too Mature. Emotional. of her supporting cast. It is an adapta- tion of an old stage play. ADOLESCENTS, J2 to 16. CHILDREN, 6 to 12. HARMONY AT HOME. Marguer- Too Mature. No Interest. No. ite Churchill. Direction by Hamil- ton MacFadden. All dialogue. Fox. FOOTLIGHTS AND FOOLS. Col- Romantic drama in which a family leen Moore. Direction A. by Wm. tries to live up to an increase in Father’s Seiter. All dialogue. First Nat. income, and marry off the older daugh- This is the romance of a New York ter. The humor, consisting mainly of chorus girl masquerading as a Paris crudity of manners, and quarreling and —3 - disrespect between members of the fam- iar through frequent use, of a song ily, is commonplace and dull. Otherwise writer who makes good, but not before the picture is mildly entertaining. suspecting the motives of his girl who ADOLESCENTS, 12 to 16. CHILDREN, 6 to 12. assists him to success. Perfectly whole- Not Recommended and Too Mature. some if rather innocuous entertainment. Probably of Little Interest. ADOLESCENTS, 12 to 16. CHILDREN, 6 to 12. Wholesome. Passable, But Little HOT FOR PARIS. Victor McLag- Interest. len, Fifi Dorsay. Direction by Brian and Harry Raoul Walsh. All dialogue. Fox. KIBITZER. Mary Previously reported in preview in No- Green. Direction by Edward Slo- vember. Adult enjoyment of this picture man. All dialogue. Paramount. is obviously a matter of taste. It is skill- Thoroughly amusing comedy drama fully directed and cleverly acted. The from the stage play. The absurd situa- plot is sophisticated and the humor “ro- tions are based on playing the market, bust.” In other hands it would be hope- with no knowledge of how to do it. Ex- lessly vulgar. It cannot be advised for cellent fun for the family. children for it adds nothing of cultural ADOLESCENTS, 12 to 16. CHILDREN, 6 to 12. Very Amusing. Little to Interest. value of moral development, and would emphasize a phase of life unnecessary for them to understand. THE LOVE PARADE. Maurice ADOLESCENTS, 12 to 16. CHILDREN, 6 to 12. Chevalier. Ernest No. No. Direction by Lubitsch. All dialogue. Para- mount. IT’S A GREAT LIFE. Rosetta and A sophisticated comedy which is pos- Vivian Direction Duncan. by Sam sibly a little disappointing, but which has Wood. All dialogue. M.-G.-M. much also to recommend it in lovely set- Excellent musical comedy “made” for tings, skillful dialogue, entertaining the talents of the Duncan sisters. It will songs and the unusual personality of M. be great fun for those who enjoy this Chevalier. Its suitability for adolescents type of entertainment. is doubtful. ADOLESCENTS, 12 to 16. CHILDREN, 6 to 12. ADOLESCENTS, 12 to 16. CHILDREN, 6 to 12. Excellent. Good if it Interests. Sophisticated. Little Interest. JAZZ HEAVEN. Johnny Mack THE NIGHT PARADE. Aileen Brown, Sally O’Neil. Direction by Pringle, Hugh Trevore. Direction Melville Brown. All dialogue. R. by Malcolm St. Clair. R. K. 0. K. 0. A young wrestler becomes, for a time, The romantic theme, now quite famil- the tool of an adventuress and very near- 4 ly looses his reputation and his girl. The SO THIS IS COLLEGE. Elliott picture is interesting of its type, but the Nugent, Robert Montgomery. Di- moral values are rather too obscure to rection by Sam Wood. All dialogue. recommend for children. ADOLESCENTS, 12 to 16. CHILDREN, 6 to 12. M.-G.-M. Not Recommended. No. Two college fraternity brothers are rivals for the same girl, but find friend- SEVEN DAYS LEAVE. Gary ship for each other the stronger tie. It Cooper, Beryl Mercer. Direction by is entertaining and wholesome fun. ADOLESCENTS, 12 to 16. CHILDREN, to 12. Richard Wallace. All dialogue. 6 Good. Good. Paramount. Adapted from the stage play, “The SOUTH SEA ROSE. Lenore Ul- Old Lady Shows Her Medals,” by Sir rich, Charles Bickford. Direction James Barrie, the picture achieves its purpose — delightful and thoughtful by Allan Dwan. All dialogue. Fox. entertainment. It is the story of a lonly Previously reported in preview in No- vember. It is a fantastic melodrama and patriotic old lady who, during the built up to present the star’s special type World War, adopts an embittered young of appeal. It will not greatly interest soldier, and of the measure of happiness critical adult audiences and cannot be her faith brings him. Beautifully acted, recommended for children. ADOLESCENTS, 12 to 16. CHILDREN, 6 to 12. satisfying as to story and direction, it is Unwholesome. No. highly recommended. ADOLESCENTS, 12 to 16. CHILDREN, 6 to 12. Excellent. Good if Not Too TANNED LEGS. Arthur Lake, Mature. June Clyde. Direction by Louis Sarecky. All dialogue. R. K. 0. SO LONG LETTY. Charlotte Musical comedy of very slight enter- Greenwood. Direction by Lloyd tainment value for adults and which is Bacon. All dialogue with interlo- not the type to recommend for children. ADOLESCENTS, 12 to 16. CHILDREN, 6 to 12. lated songs. Warner Bros. Vulgar. No. This production is a broad farce based on the theme of two husbands who decide UNTAMED. Joan Crawford, Ern- to exchange wives. The wives connive to est Torrence. Direction by Con- teach them a lesson and convince them that they are, after all, more suited to way.