Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

OPINION S ON CURRENT FEATURE PRODUCTIONS eviewi 20th Century-Fox (748) 81 Minutes Rel. April 16, '37 Past-paced, its brightly amusing dialogue deftly handled by Don Ameche and Ann Sothern, its ludicrously improbable situations crowding on each other’s heels and built to a hilarious climax by Director Norman Taurog, this farcecomedy will be a boxoffice bullseye. The frothy plot is based on the complications which arise when Ameche and Miss Sothern find themselves snowed in in a mountain cabin. She, eluding parental dominance in an attempted elopement, thinks him a gangster; he, unwilling co-respondent in a divorce suit, thinks her a subpoena server. From this point on the action becomes more and more hopelessly and uproariously entangled with the appearances of a simple-minded trapper — Slim Summerville — and a real gangster— Douglas Fowley — both using the cabin as a hideout. Don Ameche, Ann Sothern, Slim Summerville, Douglas Fowley, Stepin Fetchit, Paul Hurst, Alan Dinehart. Fifty Roads to Town F comedy First National ( ) 65 Minutes Rel. Even the most avid action fans will be on the edge of their seats when they see this portrayal of life in a modern American penal institution. Sensible scripting and direction manage to give the feature a sufficiently convincing atmosphere of grimness without going off the deep end into morosity, the result being what is very probably the best prison picture since “The Big House.’’ As an army captain detailed to the prison in an effort to teach the convicts discipline, Pat O’Brien finds a role into which he can substantially sink his molars, and his depiction of the part is splendid, as is the work of a supporting cast highlighted by Humphrey Bogart, Ann Sheridan and Joseph Sawyer. Picture has great exploitation possibilities and should be a winner. Directed by Lloyd Bacon. Pat O’Brien, Humphrey Bogart, Ann Sheridan, Barton MacLane, Joseph Sawyer, Veda Ann Borg, Joseph King. San Quentin F Universal (1030) 65 Minutes Rel. May 2, '37 Action-crammed, with a novel race between a motor truck caravan and a train furnishing the excitement, this is more vigorous than it is convincing. John Wayne fans, however, will be satisfied with this star’s performance, and the film will fill its destined niche adequately on any bill. Wayne works himself up into a trucking business because of the urgings of the girl he loves, Louise Latimer, and then talks himself into a job as superintendent of a large trucking line owned by the irascible Robert McWade. Unknown to his boss, he starts on a transcontinental trek to deliver cargo to a steamship that is hurrying to get out of port before the shipping strike is called. The trucks win out and Wayne gets the girl. Arthur Lubin directed. John Wayne, Louise Latimer, Robert McWade, Theodore Von Eltz, Tully Marshall, Emerson Treacy, Leroy Mason. California Straight Ahead F ormZ Republic (6002) 80 Minutes Rel. April 26, '37 This is certainly well named. It is an outstanding hit for anyone’s entertainment tastes and will bring a constant parade of cash customers to the wickets of the theatres in which it is exhibited. It is a Broadway revue, a round of the smart night spots, and a topnotch radio program all rolled into one and knitted together with just enough plot and continuity to make it a grand motion picture. Gus Meins’ direction is masterful, keeping the action paced to the right tempo to get the most out of the superabundance of pleasing situations, songs, talent and gags. The cast is generally splendid, while settings and production details are in keeping with the high standards of the picture’s every department. Frances Langford, Phil Regan, Louise Henry, Pert Kelton, Edward Brophy, Max Terhune, Monroe Owsley. The Hit Parade F Musical 20th Century-Fox (752) 71 Minutes Rel. May 21, '37 This, as Charlie Chan would say, are very honorable picture. It is a highly satisfactory chapter in the everpopular series built around the adventures and triumphs of that famed Oriental detective, played with the utmost naturalness and sincerity by Warner Oland. 'This time Charlie stumbles onto an international crisis while on a fishing trip with his number two son, when they discover the wreck of an airplane from which a radio-control device has been stolen. The case leads Chan to Berlin, where his number one son, Keye Luke, is competing in the Olympic Games with the American team. The two are immediately embroiled in a series of kidnapings, disappearances and murders which should completely satisfy the followers of the calm sleuth. Directed by H. Bruce Humberstone. Warner Oland, Keye Luke, Katherine DeMille, C. Henry Gordon, Pauline Moore, Allan Lane, John Eldredge. Charlie Chan at the Olympics F Mystei, Spectrum ( ) 53 Minutes Rel. With plenty of what it takes to round up the kids on Saturday afternoons and to delight the hearts of the lovers of the western drama, this picture is a good bet for any but the de luxe exhibitors. Fred Scott sings well and rides and fights with the best of them. As his bewhiskered, tobacco-chewing side-kick, A1 St. John is good for plenty of laughs. Scott and St. John, a pair of cowhands, sign up with an outfit only to find that the owner of the ranch is the father of their former pal — a boy whom Scott is supposed to have accidentally killed. They discover that Scott was not responsible for the boy’s death and Scott promotes himself a romance with the rancher’s daughter. Directed by Sam Newfield. Fred Scott, Al St. John, Louise Small, Billy Lenhart, David Sharpe, Slim Whittaker, Lew Meehan. Melody of the Plains F Republic (6015) 60 Minutes Rel. April 19, '37 Combining all of the necessary elements of the action story with the most pleasing romantic and comedy angles added for good measure, this Republic production shows class in every department and is pegged as a sure money maker. Director Ralph Staub has done a creditable job in keeping the story within the bounds of plausible drama and his comedy direction is excellent. Top cast honors go to Mary Brian and Dick Purcell who do their romantic assignments with ease. Miss Brian making a particularly splendid job of her part. Warren Hymer supplies his usual brand of hilarious support. Purcell, a seaman, dates Miss Brian, an unattractive librarian, on a wager. He works miracles with her personal charm, gets embroiled in an espionage plot and rounds up the spies. Dick Purcell, Mary Brian, Warren Hymer, Joseph Sawyer, Edward Woods, Lucille Gleason, Chester Clute. Navy Blues F Universal (1007) 83 Minutes Rel. April 18, '37 An impressive extravaganza, lavishly mounted, this falls short of the entertainment mark its heavy budget should indicate. The picture will need intensive exploitation to maintain a position in top bracket billings. Doris Nolan is disappointing and, while the rest of the cast boasts a goodly amount of talent, their efforts are not closely enough coordinated — even for a musical. Miss Nolan, an eccentric heiress, returns from Europe full of ideas for the artistic uplift of nightclubs. She takes over the management of the Moonbeam Room, atop a super-skyscraper, and her highbrow innovations, including scenes from “Hamlet” and a symphony orchestra, almost drive the patrons out. The show is saved, however, by George Murphy and his swing entertainers. Ralph Murphy directed. Doris Nolan, George Murphy, Ella Logan, Hugh Herbert, Gerald Oliver Smith, Mischa Auer, Gertrude Niesen. Top of the Town F CLASSmCATlON— A ADULT — FFAMILY — JJUVENILE BOXOFFICE :: April 10, 1937. 11