One of the more recent additions to my magazine collection was a 1943 issue of The New Yorker — the October 16, 1943 edition, to be precise. This was my first time buying a vintage New Yorker, so I wasn’t sure whether I’d find much movie-related content inside.

There wasn’t much, but I did find a few little morsels. Like most popular mags, The New Yorker includes a small section of movie reviews, which was entertaining to read as their reviewer didn’t seem to like anything!

nyer1
(Image via All Posters)

The column noted “room for improvement” in the then-current roster of films:

  • Behind the Rising Sun was dragged for its sensationalism and use of poorly-done make-up on white actors playing Japanese characters.
  • Hostages got mild props for its performances, but is described as having an odd tone shift.
  • Phantom of the Opera didn’t measure up to the Lon Chaney version.
  • Lassie Come Home was described as good for kids, but with one major problem: the humans were “constantly stooging for this collie in the most shameless fashion”!

Other than these brief reviews, the mag’s movie coverage focuses on what’s playing in New York City. A column called “Goings On About the Town” shared the motion picture offerings. New attractions included:

  • The Adventures of Tartu
  • The Constant Nymph
  • For Whom the Bell Tolls
  • This Is the Army
  • Watch on the Rhine

There were also some revivial screenings of note:

  • Algiers
  • All That Money Can Buy
  • Catherine the Great
  • The Ghost Goes West
  • The Long Voyage Home
  • Meet John Doe
  • The Private Life of Henry VIII
  • The Scarlet Pimpernel
  • Stolen Life
  • The Woman Alone

Some special silent/pre-code programming at the Museum of Modern Art is mentioned, running from the 14th through 23rd:

  • October 14:
    Hands Up! (1926)
    Two Tars (1928)
  • October 15 & 16:
    The Italian Straw Hat (1928)
  • October 17 & 18:
    The General (1927)
    Big Business (1929)
  • October 19 & 20:
    Blonde Crazy (1931)
  • October 21 & 22:
    Trouble in Paradise (1932)
  • October 23:
    A Nous La Liberte (1932)

What a week to be a movie fan in New York City! (Then again, is there any bad week to be a movie buff in that town?)