Critical Moments

Even to those of us who don’t belong, the current holiday spirit was so abundant that some of it flowed my way, with the result that the task of eating my words becomes one of overwhelming proportions, but eat my words I must.

What I am referring to is a review I wrote some months back of Bing Crosby’s picture, “She Loves Me Not.” At that writing I said that although Crosby could sing he could not and never would be able to act or make a picture worth seeing. In “She Loves Me Not” he looked and acted like a stick dressed up in a suit that was too tight. The only fascination that film held for me was the possibility that Crosby might break through his armor of cloth. In even plainer words I offered the opinion that as a movie star Crosby was a good crooner, but, alas, since seeing at the Paramount “Here Is My Heart” I take it all back.

“Here Is My Heart” is a gay, lively, tuneful, amusing production in which Crosby has been cast in a role that brings out to the fullest his talents both as an actor and a singer, and they are talents that his previous picture kept carefully hidden. Adapted by Edwin Justin Mayer from the eternally merry “The Grand Duchess and the Waiter” and directed by Frank Tuttle, it emerges as one of the season’s most enjoyable films.

In story it tells of a bored American millionaire crooner who is sailing on his yacht. He lands in a foreign country and stays at a hotel. In this elaborate inn there lives an indigent but proud Russian princess (Kitty Carlisle), her brother Nick (Roland Young), the pompous Prince Vladimir (Reginald Owen), and Countess Rostove (Alison Skipworth.

Bing Crosby catches a glimpse of the princess and falls in the usual manner. He is able to talk to her only by acting as a waiter. When he finds that the hotel is on the verge of bankruptcy he buys it so that he can keep his job. Of course, he is successful in his quest and the final scene finds our hero and heroine in the customary clinch, but before this sentimental moment is reached the fun is lively and mad.

Roland Young as Prince Nicky is after all Roland Young and as fine a comedian as the screen can produce.

To me one of the most interesting scenes in the film was Crosby listening to a phonograph record of one of his own songs. He stands off, makes faces, adds a phrase or two, whistles a little and looks as pleased as he should. This is Hollywood at its best.

BRIGHT-EYES SHIRLEY TEMPLE

It was inevitable that Fox would cast Shirley Temple in a tearjerker, and in “Bright Eyes,” which was at the Music Hall this past week. Weak-minded film fans will weep buckets when they see the little Temple kid as an orphan in the home of wealthy people.

It seems her mother has died and Shirley is wanted by an aviator (James Dunn) and a crabby old man (Charles Selner). His relatives who hope to inherit his wealth are opposed to his affection for Shirley and make her life exceedingly unpleasant.

Film fans who are not blinded by their own tears will be amazed at the performance of another youngster named Jane Withers, who is cast in the role of a nasty child. This child is a marvelous actress and she is going to give Shirley plenty of competition.

“Bright Eyes” is definitely inferior film fodder and as Andre Sennwald of the Times said, “Little Miss Temple now becomes an authentic screen star by passing through the traditional hazing ceremony of being dipped into a bad scenario.”

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES

The Roxy offered “Anne of Green Gables” to an appreciative audience, which witnessed the fine, sensitive, sympathetically treated story of an orphan girl on Prince Edward’s Island who arrives alone on this little island and is adopted by a lonely, middle-aged family.

If you remember the famous book by Mrs. L. M. Montgomery, you will recall that this couple had expected to adopt a boy and were a little disappointed by Anne, but she soon wins her way into their affections and the rest of the story is a tale of her growing-up, her problems and her first love affair.

Anne Shirley plays the part of Anne Shirley and gives a delightful performance. If I remember correctly, Miss Shirley was once an actress known as Dawn O’Day, but her change of name has not detracted from her ability.

“Anne of Green Gables” is a timely, homely piece of romanticizing that should find a warm response from those who appreciate a little clean sentiment on the screen.