Saturday, March 31, 2018

MLP:FIM The Maud Couple

Today's episode was the seventh written by Nick Confalone. In this episode he continues to show his great sense of humor as he did in such great episodes as Party Pooped and The Saddle Row Review (one of my favorite episodes). The episode was storyboarded by Ward Jenkins (who started boarding for the show in season 6) and Melissa Allen (who I believe this is her first episode). In this episode Maud has a boyfriend who Pinkie does not like.

This is a very funny episode. The humor hits home over and over again. Maud is as great as ever and it is always a delight to her. She brings a deadpan style of humor to this show that is completely different from any other character and again she is extremely funny here. Her stand up routine at the beginning is downright hilarious. Her boyfriend works perfectly for this story, but I am unsure how the writers can use him for the future. He is in many ways a carbon copy of Maud. The humor of Pinkie being unable to see the similarities between the two is fantastic. I am interested to see where the writers will go with this character in the future and if we will get to see him more fleshed out in the future. All and all this is a must see episode for fans of the more comedic episodes of this show as it is extremely funny.

-Michael J. Ruhland.    

Friday, March 30, 2018

"Donald and Pluto" (1936)

At the time this cartoon was released the Disney Studio was only making two cartoon series. These were the Silly Smymphonies and the Mickey Mouse cartoons. The Donald Duck series would start later with Don Donald. Because of this, despite not featuring Mickey Mouse, Donald and Pluto was released as a Mickey Mouse cartoon.The following is from an article in Motion Picture Daily (dated November 7, 1936).

"They say its a lot of hard work. Granted. It must also be carloads of fun for Walt Disney and his gang to turn out those Mickey Mouses and Silly Symphonies. And while that observation may carry with it elements of speculation, there can be none about the reaction of those who sit comfortably in the projection room to observe, to chuckle and to guffaw at the incomparable results of this Hollywood enterprise.

"Five displayed themselves yesterday. They were 'Donald and Pluto' but Walt should have screen credit to the magnet which provides the chief reason for riot; 'The Three Blind Mouskeers' or picnics among the mice a la broad Alexandre Dumas; 'Mickey's Elephant' introducing a new and jolly character raising havoc with Pluto; 'Mother Pluto' which reveals the famous canine as far more maternal than you might have suspected, and 'The Country Cousin' replete with cheese, champagne and the adventures of a country bumpkin mouse amidst the perils of the big city.

"All in color and loaded with genuine wit and charm, we should hate to be driven into a corner and told to pick the best. Therefore we won't."

AnimationAl Eugster (A satchel - tools attracted out; Duck on pilce [I know this is not a real word but it is written on the draft I used as a resource] of props - gets tools with magnet - sees Pluto o.s.; Duck with magnet extends towards Pluto; Duck gets sledge - magnet knocked from pipe - falls out of scene)
Shamus Culhane (Pluto - bone in pan - sledge hammer under him; Sledge attracted by magnet - goes up out of scene - Pluto surprised; Roof - Pluto in a whirl; Roof - Pluto whirls - flies off to left; Cellar door - duck and Pluto fall in)
Fred Spencer (Magnet falls on bench - attracts bone in pan, magnet catches Pluto's nose in pan - pan thrown out of scene; Long shot - Pluto, pan, magnet and magnetic waves; Pluto swallows magnet - pan on rear - tries to shake off pan; Pluto in crashes into trunk; Duck upset - falls out of scene; Duck into tub - blubbers; Sun room - C.U. - Duck with wrench hurts Pluto; Duck jerked along ceiling; Kitchen ceiling - duck into fan; Kitchen ceiling - more whirling in fan; Kitchen ceiling - Duck pulled into lamp cord electric shock; Kitchen ceiling - duck drops almost hits floor; Duck hits ceiling - angry - pulls; Duck bumping along ceiling; Duck below on ceiling; C.U. Magnet clumps duck to furnace - misc. props in - Pluto in licks bone - IRIS OUT)
Norm Ferguson (Dinning room table - Pluto and alarm clock; Living room - Pluto through rocker - clock rolls out; Pluto in corner - cornered by clock; C.U. Pluto - clock in f.g. - big; Pluto and rolling pin)

Bill Roberts (Stairway - Pluto up and out; Kitchen - Pluto in - circles and backs up; Doors of kitchen cabinet open - Pots and pans out; Pluto - Pots and Pans hit him - he runs out through swinging door; Dinning room - Pluto through swinging door - bone dish in - hits him in mouth; Pendulum dining room - Pluto smacked by clock; Living room - Pluto - alarm clock - bear rug; Dinning room - Pluto skids on rug - pan and bone attracted to Pluto; C.U. - kitchen - cleaver menaces; Pluto in kitchen - sees cleaver - takes it flops; C.U. knives bust out of drawer;  Kitchen - Pluto pursed by knives - rug hit by knives; Entry way - Pluto pursued; Pluto and knives circle to right; Pluto and knives circle to left; Trap door - Pluto through - knives stuck in door; L.S. basement - Pluto in - backs towards ladder - duck; C.U. Nails come out of ladder; Nails hit Pluto - he takes it- runs out through foreground - Bog; C.U. Duck falls as ladder disintegrates; Duck into washer - through ringer into basket; Pluto sneaks off - Duck attracted - Pluto runs out; Basement stairway - Pluto up and out - Duck falls; L.S. - Sun room - Pluto skids on rug - goes upstairs; M.L.S. - roof - Pluto through door on roof; Roof - Pluto relieved - sits down; Sun room - duck attracted up; Sun room ceiling - duck hits; Roof - Pluto struggles - starts moving along on fanny; Pluto dragged along roof; Still Roof - C.U. Pluto takes shock - up in air; Roof - Pluto knocks down ladder; Pluto above on ladder; Roof edge - Pluto and duck out on ladder - ladder falls; C.U. - Pluto hits cellar step - magnet flies out)

Story: Donald is a plumber fixing some pipes in a basement. He accidently drops a magnet which attracts Pluto's food dish. Trying to get the magnet off his food dish, Pluto accidentally swallows it and attracts every metal thing around him. Pluto's fanny eventually attracts the nails in Donald's ladder and Donald's wrench. The magnet is eventually knocked out of Pluto but it catches Donald in an uncomfortable spot.


   

  -Michael J. Ruhland

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Superman Thrill Show

The following is from an article in the Motion Picture Herald dated October 31, 1942.

"United Detroit Theaters originated a new idea in cartoon parties Saturday at the Rosedale Theatre when they combined three 'Superman' cartoons into a 'Superman Thrill Show'; added two other animated shorts for an hour's cartoon program plus the regular 'Proven Hits' features, 'Ghost Breakers' and 'Man's Castle.' Kid attendance at the theater tripled.

"The 'Superman Thrill Show' was advertised a week in advance by the theater in special screen trailers; lobby easels were displayed and by making a publicity tie-up with the Detroit News, which runs 'Superman' comics daily and Sunday. The 'Superman Thrill Show' idea will be used shortly in several other neighborhood United Detroit Theatres.

"The cartoons shown were 'Superman,' 'The Mechanical Monster,' 'Broadway Limited,' 'Crazy Cruise,' and 'Saps in Chaps.'"

Ghost Breakers was a 1940 comedy movie starring Bob Hope and directed by George Marshall. Man's Castle was a 1933 drama starring Spencer Tracy and Loretta Young and directed by Frank Borzage. Superman and The Mechinical Monster were Superman cartoons. I am unaware of any cartoon short called Broadway Limited. However since the article stated three Superman cartoons were shown, I feel it is safe to assume the writer meant Billion Dollar Limited which is a Superman cartoon. Crazy Cruise is a 1942 Merrie Melodies cartoon. Saps in Chaps is a 1942 Looney Tunes cartoon.

-Michael J. Ruhland  

       

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Movie Review: Midnight Sun

Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland




















Michael's Movie Grade: F

Review: This is as bad as it gets folks. Even with the terrible tearjerker teenage romance movies out there, this is the bottom of the barrel.

The main problem with this film is that it is a romantic movie and the romance is never believable. The two main characters are bland and boring movie stereotypes. we have seen them in too many movies before and they are less interesting here. There is also the fact that the characters have no chemistry together. The side characters are equally completely boring. This is not helped by the hopelessly forced dialogue they are given. Despite the characters saying they were meant for each other, I was never fully convinced of this. The main character having xeroderma pigmentosum is about the only thing that makes this movie different from any other movie of this same type. Some critics have attacked this film as being offensive to those with this disease by not portraying it accurately, and using it for an obviously emotional manipulative story. The disease does feel like it is being used simply for reasons of creating tear-jerking moments. Regardless of your feelings about this controversy, dramatically this is not enough to make this movie feel like anything new or different. It feels like the same tearjerker movie we have seen a million times before, only much blander. The ending is even worse than the rest of this horrible movie. Without giving anything away there is nothing romantic about this. Instead it feels like a character being completely selfish and thinking about nobody other than him or herself. The ending is so bad, it is tough to even sit through. Still there is nothing good I can say about the rest of this movie, as this is pure bottom of the barrel bad. Simply put, avoid this movie.

-Michael J. Ruhland
     
 

Monday, March 26, 2018

Movie Review: Sherlock Gnomes

Review Written by Michael J. Ruhland

Michael's Movie Grade: C+

Review: Surprisingly enjoyable movie even if it is far from great.

What makes this movie work is the main characters. Gnomeo and Juliet are especially very likable. The relationship between them, feels very sweet and genuine. Their relationship also provides a good comparison to the partnership of Sherlock and Watson. This movie also provides us with an action filled climax that is actually quite exciting and suspenseful. The mystery while nothing too shocking is fun and played out quite well. The animation is also very good. It shows the characters' emotions perfectly without ever being too over the top. 2D scenes inside Sherlock's head are some of the best moments in the film.

This movie certainly has its share of faults though. The biggest of these is all the side characters. None of them are even slightly interesting. The villains are not much stronger. Another big problem with this movie is the humor. While there are few clever jokes in here, much of the humor misses the mark. Little of it is groan worthy (in fact the worst jokes in the trailer are not present in the actual movie) but also little of it is laugh out loud funny.

Ok this may not be a great movie but I enjoyed it for what it is.

-Michael J. Ruhland

Saturday, March 24, 2018

Seeing Buster Keaton and Laurel and Hardy at the Old Town Music Hall.

Again I must praise the Old Town Music Hall. It is one of my favorite places in the world. Again if any of my fellow classic movie lovers are in Southern California, they should not miss an opportunity to go here.

Today I was treated to a complete delight. I saw Buster Keaton's classic silent feature, College as well as the great Laurel and Hardy short Dirty Work.

These are both films I have seen many times. However seeing them with an audience in a theater is the ideal way of watching these movies. They feel fresher, funnier, more spontaneous, faster paced and just all around more entertaining in this environment. For me part of the joy of watching classic comedies in this setting is hearing people who have not seen these pictures as many times as I have, laughing like these jokes are brand new. I awaited to hear how audiences would react to some of my favorite scenes. To hear them react to the surprise extra brick that hit Ollie in Dirty Business or the brilliant gag that ends College makes me laugh as if I had not seen these films dozens of times. The laughter feels as fresh as the first time I watched these great comedies. While I still find them very funny and they never seem to drag if I watch these films aloe on DVD, they never feel like fast paced movies. However watching them with an audience makes these comedies feel like they move at a rapid pace. They move so fast that it seems just after the audience is done laughing at one gag they are laughing at the next. As anyone who has seen the classic movie comedies of the 1920's and 30's in this way will tell you there is no better way to see the movies then like this.

We were also treated to the very talented Bill Field on the Mighty Wurlitzer Pipe Organ. He played a melody of classic songs from the 1920's before either picture started. He also played completely through the silent feature. While some "purists" will tell you that silent movies should not be watched with any music (I have no problem with the fact that some people enjoy the film this way, but I would never recommend it to someone new to silent movies), the truth is these films were meant to have musical accompaniment. It is incredible how much good music can add to a silent movie. Having this music live adds even more. With live music, you can feel the music moving underneath you drawing you further into the action of the movie. This makes watching a silent film, feel more like an experience than almost any other movie going experience.

-Michael J. Ruhland
       

MLP:FIM School Daze Parts 1 & 2

Season 8 of My Little Pony begins with this two part episode about the ponies opening a school for friendship. This excellent start to the season was written by Michael Vogel and Nicole Dubuc. These are Michael Vogel's 10th and 11th episodes. He also wrote the recent feature film, My Little Pony: The Movie (the good one not the one from the 80's). Nicole Dubuc co-wrote the two part season finale for last season. Part one was storyboarded by Aynsley King (who has been boarding for the show since season 4) and Karine Charlebois (who started boarding for the show in season 6). Part two was boarded by Kaylea Chard (who has been boarding for the show since season 3) and Nicole ‘Lil’ Wang. This is an excellent episode. Like many of the best episodes of this show what makes it so good is that the characters feel so real and believable. The Mane Six, Starlight and Spike are as likable as ever. It is also again great to see Twilight in full nerd form which is always delightful. As well as this though the students are very well fleshed out. Each one feels like a real character and is completely believable. This is honestly quite an accomplishment for an hour, and something many two-hour feature films fail to do. The story is also very charming and works perfectly with the length. It never feels stretched out or rushed. -Michael J. Ruhland

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Movie Review: I Can Only Imagine

Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland


















Michael's Movie Grade: A-

Review: Powerful and inspiring film that does justice to the great worship song that inspired it.

What really makes this movie so effective is how much respect this movie gives to its subject. There is never a moment when this film feels like it is talking down to its audience. The drama is real and believable. You never feel you are watching a dramatization but rather like you are seeing the real person on screen. I am familiar with the band Mercy Me, and I have even seen them in concert. However I was not very familiar with this story. With this in mind I was completely drawn into this story, and found myself becoming extremely emotionally involved with what I was seeing. Much of this is due to J. Michael Finley's incredible performance. He performance is so human, that it is hard not to get involved in the humanity of the movie. On top of this his singing voice is incredible. John Erwin, Brent McCorkle and Alex Crammer's human and very involving script adds to the powerfulness of this movie.

Being a Christian naturally didn't hurt how much I enjoyed this film, but I don't think that you need to be a believer to be pulled into the powerful filmmaking here.

-Michael J. Ruhland

 

Sunday, March 18, 2018

Seeing Vertigo on the Big Screen

Alfred Hitchcock is one of my all time favorite movie directors. I know I am stating something completely shocking there. Many classic movie fans hold Hitch's films in the same high regard I do and just watching one of his films shows perfectly why. However if you truly want to experience the power of Hitchcock movies there is no better way to do this than by seeing one of his films on the big screen. Thanks to TCM and Fathom events people from all over the country were allowed to do this tonight, as Vertigo once again graced cinema screens.

Seeing this on the big screen, heightens the power of a film that already seemed incredible enough on our small screens at home. Seeing this movie the way it was meant to be seen, one notices what a visually stunning movie this is. No movie has ever photographed the city of San Francisco better than Hitch and cinematographer Robert Burks did here. However even the inside scenes are just as well shot and planned. Who (especially who that has seen this movie in a cinema) can forget the image of Kim Novak walking up to Jimmy Stewart basked in the eerie glow of that green light. However none of these visuals are here to show off. They instead only pull you further into the hypnotic spell of what you are watching. No better word describes the feeling of this film better than hypnotic. This is definitely one of Alfred Hitchcock's slowest paced films. However this works perfectly to its advantage (especially again in a cinema). The film slowly lures you into its hypnotic spell and after a while you are simply unable to look away from the screen. After seeing this movie I always have to adjust again to just living life, because I get so sucked into the movie that it briefly becomes reality to me. This is not a movie you can be on a computer or your phone while watching. You have to let the movie pull you into its power while watching. If you do you will not regret it as this is one of the most powerful movies ever made, and if you get the chance to see this on the big screen, don't miss it.

-Michael J. Ruhland
   

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Movie Review: A Wrinkle in Time

Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland











Michael's Movie Grade: C

Review: This is an enjoyable movie, but I still left feeling it could have been much better.

The best thing about this movie is the character of Meg. She is very likable and relatable. I could fully sympathize and understand what she was going through. She was the glue that held this fantasy to reality. This is helped heavily by an excellent performance by Storm Reid, who fully pulls you into the emotions of the character. Her little brother and friend are also likable character, if not as fully developed as Meg. This movie is also a very good looking film. The visuals look great and help tell the story fine.

This movie is however pulled down by two huge faults. The first of these is a lack of involvement with the fantasy environment. These environments feel like so many others seen in various fantasy movies. Beyond this we never spend enough time in one place for that place to feel real to us. Most great fantasy movies spend a decent amount of time in each environment, so that we get to feel we know the places. Here we are never given time to delve ourselves into the environment as we are soon rushed to the next one. The other major problem with this movie is the characters of the Mrs. W's. Mrs. Whatsit is a very annoying character. Her humor is never funny and I spent much of the film wanting her to shut up. Mrs. Which and Mrs. Who are both extremely boring. When the movie reached its end I still could not tell you what their personalities were. They simply felt like nothing more than plot convince.

To me it is easy to see why those who liked this movie did, and why those who hated it felt that way. The emotional anchor with the main character is strong and effective, but the fantasy elements can be a bit of a mess at time.

-Michael J. Ruhland
     

Saturday, March 10, 2018

Popeye Club

The following is an article about a Popeye movie club from the Motion Picture Herald.


Man would I have loved to have been a part of this.

-Michael J. Ruhland

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Movie Review: Thoroghbreds

Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland













Michael's Movie Grade: A+

Review: Fantastic blending of dark humor and suspense.

The characters in this film are far from sympathetic and it is obvious that they are never intended to be such. They are instead something much harder for filmmakers to pull off well. They are fascinating. We are never fully sure what they are going to do next and at the same time we can't wait to see what happens next either. This fascination comes both from Cory Finley's brilliant script and the fantastic performances of Oliva Cooke and Ana Taylor Joy. Oliva Cooke's performance is seeming effortless. The lack of emotion on her face at all times is one of the most gripping and suspenseful parts of this movie. You never know what is in her head, yet you always know she is plotting something. She gives a perfect performance in an unbelievable subtle way. Over the course of this movie director and writer Cory Finley perfectly uses her great performance to the best advantage. At times this character is funny in her deadpan expression, while at other times, she is unbelievably disturbing. Yet regardless of this she always feels real. Ana Taylor Joy brings a similar brilliance to her performance. She is an emotional young woman, yet she is trying to adopt her friend's actions. At times you can see her also be very deadpan, but there is still a bit of emotion you can detect in her that is unseen in her friend.

Beyond all this the movie is highly entertaining. It keeps you on the edge of your seat and disturbs you, but at the same time you spend much of the movie laughing. The film can turn from funny to disturbing almost instantly, yet this never feels forced. Instead the change of mood naturally comes out of the story. Finley also shows a true talent for never letting the audience know what is going to happen next and still believe each twist. The ending itself is funny disturbing and thought provoking all at the same time.

This movie is simply a must see for all movie buffs. It is a wild ride that is completely irresistible.

-Michael J. Ruhland
 

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Alfred Hitchcock on "B" Pictures, Alfred Hitchcock's Titanic and More.

Good Evening students of the macabre. Tonight I share with you an article about Alfred Hitchcock.

The following is an article from the Motion Picture Herald dated July 16, 1938.

"Alfred Hitchcock, noted English director, sailed for London Wednesday after a visit to New York and Hollywood  while on the coast Mr. Hitchcock was signed by David O. Selznick to direct 'Titanic' which will be placed in production in the fall

"On Tuesday evening Mr. Hitchcock was interviewed by Otis Ferguson over Station WNYC. The subject on the broadcast was 'Melodrama on the screen' and was sponsored by the National Board of Review. Mr. Ferguson is film editor of the New Republic.

"Mr. Hitchcock returned to New York from Hollywood Monday. He said that 'B' pictures, made on limited budgets, and often representing material that is not considered sufficiently worthy to merit an 'A' picture expenditure, might achieve new importance if made from experimental stories.

"He mentioned O. Henry and Edgar Allan Poe stories as in that category. 'The O. Henry stories with the plot and ending are not the conventional formula stuff and the Poe thrillers, the horrific stories would fit admirably into such a program and I for one should like to see the results.' He said.

"Mr. Hitchcock was impressed by the quality and quantity of exploitation and publicity of American films. He said the results were immediately discernable here and could be copied to advantage in England.

"Mr. Hitchcock whose latest film for GB will be released in this country soon, is best remembered for his melodramatic pictures, 'The 39 Steps' 'Secret Agent' and 'The Man Who Knew Too Much.'"

The Titanic movie mentioned early in this article never came to be and Rebecca would end up being Hitch's first American movie. Rebecca was produced for David O. Selznick like the unmade Titanic movie would have been.

-Michael J. Ruhland


 

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Movie Review: Everyday

Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland


















Michael's Movie Grade: C+

Review: Thought provoking premise is handled quite well, though the movie never lives up to its full potential.

What really makes this movie work is how well set up the fantasy is. The fantasy element is a very well thought out one. It is never fully explained how it works but that just makes it more believable as the characters don't know how it works either. "A" is a completely believable character and you are constantly thinking about if some of what he is doing is ethically right or wrong. This idea and how this main character handles it is simply very interesting and enjoyable.

Unfortunately this movie has a major fault. The love interest isn't very interesting. Their is little to her personality more than an average female lead in a romantic comedy. We have seen this character before various times and there is nothing new here. She is likable, but never feels real. This movie could have been much more emotionally effective if this character was more developed, but as it is the movie stands as a nice movie with some thought provoking moments, but misses with this character, the believability it could have had.  

-Michael J. Ruhland

Thursday, March 1, 2018

Silent Film of the Month: Woman in the Moon (1929)

Run Time: 156 minutes. Studio: UFA. Director: Fritz Lang. Writers: Thea Von Harbou, Fritz Lang. Main Cast: Klaus Pohl, Willy Fritsch, Gustav Von Wangenheim, Gerda Maurus. Producer: Fritz Lang.

The film that infamous German director Fritz Lang is best remembered for is the great sci-fi epic Metropolis. Less known however is another classic sci-fi film from Lang called Woman in the Moon, while Metropolis is still a better movie that doesn't change that this less talked about film is still a delight to watch. I am not saying its as great as Metropolis, but it is still a good movie. Woman in the Moon was Lang's last silent and I feel a worthy one.

Fritz Lang co-wrote this movie with Thea von Harbou. She worked with Lang on many of the films Lang made in Germany before moving to the U.S. Part of the reason for this may have been that she was his wife at this time. However both their personal and professional relationship ended due to politics. This however was no ordinary political dispute. In 1932 von Harbou would join the Nazi party. With Lang being of Jewish descent, and this being 1930's Germany, the marriage simply had to end, and Lang couldn't stay in Germany. Despite all this though the cinematic work these two did together is extremely impressive. As well as this film they also worked together on Dr. Mabuse: The Gambler, Destiny, Die Nibelungen, Metropolis, Spies, M, and The Last Testament of Dr. Mabuse. Von Harbou would also work with another of Germany's best filmmakers, F.W. Murnau, as she would write Phantom and Finances of the Grand Duke.

One invention of Woman in the Moon was not even cinematic. In this film a countdown appears before the rocket launches. This was not only the first time this was done in a movie but the first time this was ever done. As the idea of going to the moon was in fact science fiction when this movie was made, standard procedure for such a launching was not yet created. The idea of using a countdown was created specifically for this movie to help increase the drama.

Professor Mannfeldt (Klaus Pohl) is a famous scientist who becomes ridiculed when he states there might be gold on the moon. A young man named Helius (Willy Fritsch) becomes interested in Mannfeldt's theories for all the right reasons, while evil business men lead by a man named Walter Turner (Fritz Rasp) are interested for all the wrong reasons. A plan for an exhibition to the moon soon gets under way.

This movie starts out a little slowly, while the characters are on the earth, but really picks up when they reach the moon. Here the movie does just what every fantasy movie should do. It makes you feel like you are transported to another world. The look of these scenes is absolutely incredible. On top of this the story gets very tense and exciting, leaving you constantly wondering what will happen next. This is not a perfect movie by any means, and it would have easily benefited from a shorter running time. However what is good is far too good to resist and this makes the movie a must see for fans of silent cinema.  
 
 


A song about this film came out simultaneously. This song was mentioned in the following short article in Variety (dated November 13, 1929)

"Ufa in conjunction with two well known Viennese music publishing houses, has formed a music publishing firm of its own. Purpose of course is to exploit songs composed from its pictures. First to be issued by the new company will be 'Woman in the Moon' composed by Schmidt-Gentner, words by Fritz Rotter, brought out with the new Fritz Lang film of that name. Other numbers in preparation are 'Soldier Songs' by Ralph Benatzky and Karl Zuckmayer, and Werner Richard Heymann's melodies from 'The Love Waltz.'"

This film lead to a parting of the ways between its studio and its director. This is outlined by an article in Variety (dated April 2, 1930).

"Ufa has issued a cautious statement which is worded as follows: Between Fritz Lang and the UFA, neogotions are underway to amicably dissolve the agreement between them.

"The flop of Lang's latest picture 'Woman in the Moon' seems cause of this. This silent which took almost a year to complete and is said to have cost over a million marks, is not likely to get back more than a small percentage of the sum expended on it.

"Lang's gigantic 'Metropolis' lost a pile and UFA was evidently only encouraged to sign him up again because the detective picture 'Spies', which followed turned in a nice profit.

"Lang is the vonStroheim of Germany and just as in the states a time comes when the business end kicks at the idea of re-engaging such a money-swallower."

-Michael J. Ruhland