Evening star., 1932-01-02

TWO llhS UCCIl ONClOO1lC" L kAS
continual interrupting Of word mat
ter is not as happy as it might be.
However, Mr.. Fairbanks grin helps
through much of it and he seems to
be having much fun, that by the
time he IS explaining how the fox
trot originated in Siam and how to
feed peanuts to an emperorS white
elephant, all is sailing along pleas
antly enough.
What places this picture in the
interesting class is its distinguished
photography. Henry Sharp, the
cameraman, deserves as much credit
as Mr.. Fairbanks for having thought
up this film, or Victor Fleming for
having put it together. Mr.. Sharp's
camerology is really extraordinary
and his aptitude for doing things no
one has ever done before Is pretty
fine to behold
All in all, a well worthwhile film
for those who dream of distant
land-and also for great many
who don't. E. de S. MELCHER.
Strictly Dishonorable"
Is Smart Film.
THERE is much truth to the state
ment that Strictly Dishonor-
able" is the smartest show in town"
It's undercurrent is more sensibly So
phisticated than most of its brother
yarns. and its constant channel of
amusement Is neither swept by
caustic winds nor troubled by unruly
sentimentality That it should sur
Vive for a second week at the Rialto
is excellent proof Of the public's good
taste.
Sidney Fox, playing the neo-
immortal role Of the Southern gal
who tosses aside an Orange" lover
for the more excitable charms of an
opera singer. is nicely gifted in this
part and chews her Southern words
with plausible results. Whether she
halls from below the Mason and
Dixon line or not, she Is comely
performer and one who deserves bet
ter things than the Teddy bear she
receives toward the middle of the
play. And while her character has
been somewhat diluted in its trans
formation from stage to screen, 1t
still proves that old, old adage that
it is often the woman who pays and
pays and pays.
Other actors who are particularly
excellent in this are Lewis Stone,
the policeman Henry, the bar
tender, and, to lesser degree, Paul
Lukas. While we have stressed this
again and again, it seems still true
that Mr. Lukas lacks quite the
proper blood qualities which an
opera gent should have. While he
rants. he never roars, and one or
two gentle roarings would have gone
nicely with his role. But that's a
little matter, and the rest is plenty"
amusing. E. de S. M.
Possessed" Gives Chance
For Excellent Acting.
HDOSSESSED," at Loew's Colum-
bia, is very definitely a good
picture. The reason for its excel
lence is not in its story, but in the
way the players handle it-most
particularly Joan Crawford and to
a lesser degree, Clark Gable. Miss
Crawford Is growing in thespian stat
ure by leaps and bounds, and seems
to fit very nicely into such a role,
which is incredible, but unquestion-
ably good, thick, sturdy theatric
hokum. AS mildly lost lady who
wins the eventual reward of we'd
ding ring, she is not only good to
look upon, but pleasant to mediate
upon and to wonder how one so
young could have waxed so good
within minimum generation.
The story grows more and more
prepoSterous as the picture pro-
crosses, and when at last Mr.. Gable
emergeS as possible Governor with
billboards spreading his face all over
the land 1t is almost time to cry
enough" Not so. Groan as you
will over the story, the actors are
valiant and SO we'll directed that they
blot out the deficiencies. "Skeets'
Gallagher is another good trouper
in this, as is that erstwhile stage
hero Frank Conroy. Between them
and the well groomed Mr.. Gable,
and the uncommonly handsome Miss
Crawford, there is plenty to hold
your attention. It's easy to forget.
But you'll enjoy yourself while you're
there. E. de S. M.
Miss Gaynor, Mr.. Farrell
Become a Tradition.
MISS GAYNOR and Mr.. Farrell
A'1 are now definitely the N" plus
cupid team of the films. Their
bAdoilAis AOHld1lSCot "Il1IC dS lLlCl cQl-
BILE as Mother Hubbard's shoe, are
yet performed with a sugary gal
lantry which warns them to mother
and sister and sometimes brother
hearts Their latest picture, De
Icious," at the Fox, boldly announc-
ing the sweetness of its soul, is yet
palatable through their Milnesque
whimSies, and through the fact that
Mr.. Gershwin has woven around
them music which may be claSsed as
distinguished.
Those who have shifted at his
New York Rhapsodie" and found it
wanting will probably be surprised to
hear that it will be performed short
ly by Mr.. Koussevitzki and his Bos-
ton Orchestra, with Mr.. Gershwin as
its piano pilot, and will later be
similarly executed with the New
York Philharmonic. This would seem
to indicate that, perhaps, after all,
we were not entirely wrong in sug-
gesting that 1t Is worth listening to.
Outside of the film the composition
will be called just plain "Rhapsodie."
Other than this, there are several
innocuous but warmingly pleasant
pieces, all of which were played a
week ago with great success by Les
Stevens and his musical yes men"
And apart from that the film is
romantic little nosegay, full Of Miss
Gaynor's invigorating smile, and Mr..
FarrelPs customary advances, with
Ell Brendel being as funny as he is
able on the side, and an exception
ally adroit performance by the love-
lorn lad at the piano.
The stage show is especially not
able for the appearance Of Mr..
George E. Stohe, in person, who, 1t
will be recalled, has been named
"the screens youngest character
artist" Other than that, Fanchon
and Marco present the Three Big
Figures" idea. E. de S. M.