Important News (1936)
*** (out of 4)
James Stewart has a supporting role in this MGM short. A small town editor (Charles 'Chic' Sale) must decide, which story to put on the front page of his newspaper. One story is a famous gangster being shot down in front of his eyes, which would get attention across the country. The second story is a frost warning that would only help those few people in his city that don't have a radio. This is certainly a short meant to tell a morals story and on that level it works even though one-reel doesn't give it too much time for a stronger story. The message is pretty much cut and dry but Sale gives a pretty good performance that makes the film watchable. The young Stewart, in his sixth film, also does a pretty good job and manages to get a few laughs. There's certainly nothing great or ground breaking about this film but it is fun for what it is. This was Lawrence's only film as director.
*** (out of 4)
James Stewart has a supporting role in this MGM short. A small town editor (Charles 'Chic' Sale) must decide, which story to put on the front page of his newspaper. One story is a famous gangster being shot down in front of his eyes, which would get attention across the country. The second story is a frost warning that would only help those few people in his city that don't have a radio. This is certainly a short meant to tell a morals story and on that level it works even though one-reel doesn't give it too much time for a stronger story. The message is pretty much cut and dry but Sale gives a pretty good performance that makes the film watchable. The young Stewart, in his sixth film, also does a pretty good job and manages to get a few laughs. There's certainly nothing great or ground breaking about this film but it is fun for what it is. This was Lawrence's only film as director.