gavin-83
Joined Aug 2003
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gavin-83's rating
Paramount very kindly offered this to UK originally as a quota quickie. Here is a review from the Kinematograph Weekly (respected trade magazine) from September 13, 1934. It is not flattering...
"THIS drama is clumsily built around " Voodooism, - that mysterious cult, a form of hypnotic suggestion, practised by the natives of the West lndies. Had the subject been approached intelligently it would, no doubt, have provided intriguing entertainment, but the story, general treatment, acting and dialogue are so crude that the picture becomes posithely laughable. Not recommended, except as a quota proposition for very uncritical audiences.
Story. -Clelie. A half-caste girl, is consumed by jealousy when Adam, her white neighbour, with whom she had been on more than friendly terms, becomes engaged to Eve, a girl whom he had brought from England. She determines to get rid of Eve...
Acting.-There is no need to dwell on the cast. The majority of the players have never been seen before, and, judging by their pitiful performances, it is most unlikely that they will ever be seen again.
Production.-This picture fails to bring any enlightenment to that mysterious cult known as "Voodooism." The staging presumably is authentic, but out side of this the film is just crude melodrama acted by a cast whose technique, to say the least, lacks experience. The Renters will have to call Voodooism to their aid if they hope to convince the public that this trashy fare contains entertainment.
Settings and Photography.---The producer has failed to make anything of the natural resources of the country, the reproduction is far from clear, and the quality is drab.
Points of Appeal.- Quota angle only."
The film was later given general release in Great Britain on 25/03/1935.
Hope this bit of background helps.
"THIS drama is clumsily built around " Voodooism, - that mysterious cult, a form of hypnotic suggestion, practised by the natives of the West lndies. Had the subject been approached intelligently it would, no doubt, have provided intriguing entertainment, but the story, general treatment, acting and dialogue are so crude that the picture becomes posithely laughable. Not recommended, except as a quota proposition for very uncritical audiences.
Story. -Clelie. A half-caste girl, is consumed by jealousy when Adam, her white neighbour, with whom she had been on more than friendly terms, becomes engaged to Eve, a girl whom he had brought from England. She determines to get rid of Eve...
Acting.-There is no need to dwell on the cast. The majority of the players have never been seen before, and, judging by their pitiful performances, it is most unlikely that they will ever be seen again.
Production.-This picture fails to bring any enlightenment to that mysterious cult known as "Voodooism." The staging presumably is authentic, but out side of this the film is just crude melodrama acted by a cast whose technique, to say the least, lacks experience. The Renters will have to call Voodooism to their aid if they hope to convince the public that this trashy fare contains entertainment.
Settings and Photography.---The producer has failed to make anything of the natural resources of the country, the reproduction is far from clear, and the quality is drab.
Points of Appeal.- Quota angle only."
The film was later given general release in Great Britain on 25/03/1935.
Hope this bit of background helps.
Firstly, many reviewers have already mentioned this film as listed 1936, but as I write it has transported itself back to 1931. Churchill as PM suggests it's final version is almost 10 years younger.
The drama elements of this docu-drama are in the first half and are both educational and fun in an almost Pythonesque way (you'll know what I mean when you get to the 3rd tower jumper). As the amount of archive material becomes more available, obviously, in the 20th C. We get more documentary and in last segment slide into necessary propaganda.
Worth a watch, I learned something, not all that much, but something.
The drama elements of this docu-drama are in the first half and are both educational and fun in an almost Pythonesque way (you'll know what I mean when you get to the 3rd tower jumper). As the amount of archive material becomes more available, obviously, in the 20th C. We get more documentary and in last segment slide into necessary propaganda.
Worth a watch, I learned something, not all that much, but something.