GOOD YEAR FOR PICTURES

Southland Times, Issue 23922, 14 September 1939, Page 14

GOOD YEAR FOR PICTURES

IMPROVED QUALITY IN 1939

AMERICAN CRITIC SELECTS BEST FILMS

Hollywood producers always declare that they intend to make bigger and better pictures, and their activities this year suggest that they are more in earnest than they were in 1938. The output for the six months ended June 30 was not as great as that for the corresponding period of 1938, but it contained a much bigger number of good films.

With many foreign markets closed to it by political action, with rising costs and other troubles to contend with, Hollywood producers did not look forward to a prosperous year, but they soon gained inspiration in the development of their art. With restored confidence, they spoke of their achievements with characteristic pride and lately their opinions have been backed up in other quarters. Hollywood turned out 149 features during the first six months of this year, or 24 less than during the corresponding period of 1938, and many of these were of high class.

Remarking that in point of quality there is no comparison between the films of |his vear and last, The New York Times says that the improvement is little short of remarkable.

It was possible, in surveying the first half of 1938 to draw up a “best 10” list without feeling more than a shade of guilt in passing over the also-rans, says the paper. A “10 best” list at this stage of 1939 would involve more hairpulling and heir-splitting than we intend to encourage. There were 15, possibly 20, good shows produced prior to July 1 last year: this year we had no trouble in nominating 40 for a blue ribbon list.

' Some of this year’s films that are the subjects of praise by a critic in The New York Times have not yet been seen in New Zealand. Some of the productions to which he directs special attention were made in England by either American or British producers. The critic begins his list of good films for January with “Jesse James,” and includes in it “Gunga Din.” The pictures which pleased him most in the following month were “Idiot’s Delight,”. “Made For Each Other.” “Yes, My Darling Daughter,” “Wife, Husband and Friend” and “Cafe Society.” The March list comprised “Stagecoach,” “Love Affairs.” “Three Smart Girls Grow Up,” “The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle” and “Let Us Live.”

In the order of their arrival, the pictures selected for April were “The Story of Alexander Graham Bell,” “Midnight,” “Housemaster,” made in England; “Wuthering Heights.” “Juarez,” “Man of Conquest,” “Dark Victory” and “Confessions of a Nazi Spy.”

The first picture to please the critic in May was “Union Pacific,” and others were “Only Angels Have Wings,”* “Good-bye, Mr Chips,” made in England; and “East Side of Heaven,” while the June releases, in order of their arrival, were “The Mikado,” made in England; “Young Mr Lincoln,” “Clouds Over Europe,” made in England; “Daughters Courageous,” “Man About Town” and “Bachelor Mother.”