"Variety", the American entertainment industry's leading publication in 1929, characterizes "Pandora's Box" as incoherent or "rambling" in its 11 December review. That review, attributed to "Waly", was based on the film's presentation at the 55th Street Playhouse in Manhattan, which apparently screened a longer version of the motion picture than the one seen by Harrower. "Variety"'s critic estimated the duration of the film he saw at 85 minutes; nevertheless, he also recognized the ruinous effects of extensive cuts to the film. "Management at this house ", notes Waly, "blames the N.Y. censor with ending everything with Pandora and boy friends joining the Salvation Army."