The Film Daily (1935)

THE ■c&m DAILY Wednesday, Dec. 11, 1935 REVIEWS OF THE NEW FILMS » » Gene Autry jn "THE SINGING VAGABOND" (HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW) Republic 57 mins. PLEASING MUSICAL WESTERN WITH GENE AUTRY'S SINGING AS THE HIGHLIGHT. This singing Western of frontier days should be good entertainment for houses using this type of product. Although the story is familiar material, the players handle their roles well and Carl Pierson's direction gives this number plenty of action. Gene Autry's singing is the strongest selling point. When he is not warbling there is something else to hold one's attention, including a battle with the Indians. Ann Rutherford, as the girl, looks very nice, sings a number, and all around handles her part well. Smiley Burnette doesn't get a chance to do much, but he grabs the spotlight whenever he is on. The story takes place in 1860. Ann joins a show troupe going West. The wagon train is attacked by bandits, but Autry and his plainsmen come to the rescue. Ann's aunt wants her to marry Niles Welch and they follow Ann out West. Autry's enemies fix things so that he is accused of rustling government horses, and of being a tool of the Indians. Since he is working for the government, he is court-martialed. Welch has promised Ann that he would use his political influence in freeing Autry, but instead fixes things so that Gene is sentenced to be shot. With the aid of his pals, Autry escapes, finds the guilty parties and gets his Ann. Cast: Gene Autry. Ann Rutherford, Smiley Burnette, Barbara Pepper, Frank LaRue, Warner Richmond, Henry Rcquemcre, Grace Goodall. Niles Welch, Allan Sears, Charles King, Ray Benard, Bcb Burns, Celia McCancn. Producer, Nat Levine; Director, Carl Pierson; Author, Oliver Drake; Screenplay, Oliver Drake, Betty Burbridge; Cameramen, Bill Ncbles, Ed Lyons; Editor, Lester Orlebeck. Direction, Good Photography, A 1 "LAST OF THE PAGANS" with Mala and Lotus (HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW) M-G-M 72 mins. PICTURESQUE NATIVE SOUTH SEA ROMANCE HAS NOVELTY AND BEAUTY WITH SPECIAL CLASS APPEAL. With the South Sea Islands for a setting, this picture is a beautiful piece of work. The love story of the boy and girl is simple and realistic and wisely remains native throughout. The writer and director have included some very good thrill scenes, which help to hold one's interest. The dialogue is all native with explanations given by a few subtitles. For audiences interested in these natives, the picture is ace entertainment, but how widespread these audiences are is problematical. Since nothing like this has been shown for quite some time, its novelty may serve as an attraction. Ray Wise as Mala and Lotus Long as Natita, the boy and girl of this love story, give such real and honest interpretations of their roles that they seem to be the natives themselves. Richard Thorpe has done a fine job of direction, getting good performances from the natives; he handles the mass scenes in great style and the picture moves continuously. John Farrow's story and screenplay are interesting and well worked out. Clyde DeVinna's photography is one of the highlights of the picture, and the musical score is very expressive. On a wife hunting expedition, Mala finds Natita and takes her back to his island to marry her. Natita learns to love the boy, but before the marriage ceremony, Mala is abducted and taken to the phosphorus mines on a nearby island. During a blast, he helps to save a white boss, and for his deed, Natita is sent for. The officials want to ship her back, because they believe she is the wife of a chief. After being jailed for becoming violent, Mala escapes, finds his Natita and they sail away to a new life on another island. Cast: Ray Wise, Lotus Long. Producer, Philip Goldstone; Director, Richard Thorpe; Author and Screenplay, John Villiers Farrow; Cameraman, Clyde De Vinna; Musical Score, Nat W. Finstcn; Editor, Martin G Cohn. Direction, Excellent. Photography, Best. Bill Cody in "LAWLESS BORDER" Spectrum 58 mins. G-MEN MOTIF IN WESTERN WITH MEXICAN SMUGGLING FURNISHES GOOD ACTION AND THRILLS. Bill Cody as a government agent working with a representative of the Mexican government, work their way into the confidences of the revolutionary Mexican leader who is smuggling materials across the border, and become a part of the revolutionary outfit. The trail of the American leader of the conspiracy leads to the ranch of the girl, with whom Cody forms an attachment and she innocently reveals her brother as the man wanted on this side of the border. Then Cody, having set the trap, communicates with the border troop commander, but a spy relays to the Mex leader the fact that he has taken two spies into his outfit. So when Cody returns across the border he and his companion are seized. The Mex pal is shot and Cody escapes through the help of another spy. He rides to the girl's ranch to capture her brother, and there the girl wounds him as she becomes frantic at the realization that her brother is about to be sent to prison for conspiracy. The love interest is well handled and more attention paid to developing dramatic scenes than in most westerns. This makes up for some overemphasis in close-up scenes with too much explanatory conversation. Cast: Bill Cody, Molly O'Day, Martin Garralaga, Ted Adams. Joe De La Cruz, John Elliot, Merrill MacCormick. Producer, Ray Kirkwood; Director, J. P. McCarthy; Author, Zara Taril ; Cameraman, Robert Cline. Direction, Okay Photography, Very Good. FOREIGN "NOCHES DE BUENOS AIRES" ("Buenos Aires Nights"), in Spanish; produced by Lumiton; with Fernando Ochoa, Tita Merello, et al. At the Teatro Campoamor. Well-made Argentine production offering satisfactory entertainment in a backstage romance of familiar type but generally interesting. SHORTS "March of Time" (No. 9) RKO Radio 20 mins. First-rate In the subject showing the genesis i and spread of the Townsend plan | for giving the aged over 60 a $200 monthly pension for life, "March of Time" achieves a new high in i screen journalism. Not only is this l a fruitless job of smoothly-spun story-telling but in shots interspersed throughout it affords sharp insights into the characters of individuals associated with the plan. It is also a valuable commentary on our times and of genuine historic interest. Shots showing the aged Townsendites attending meetings have a pathetic and touching quality. The rise of Dr. Townsend from obscurity to national fame is a peculiarly American success fable, humorous, extravagant and sad. The second subject shows the U. S. Secret Service, the coast guard and the narcotics division cooperating to trap the large dope-smuggling ring which last spring flooded the south with heroin. The smashing of the ring, very interestingly re-enacted, also broke up a band which was fomenting a revolution in Honduras. Japan's civilizing activities in Manchuria and her preparations for annexation of the five northern Chinese provinces make up the third subject. This is timely and interesting throughout. Jersey Jottings Newark — The Chesterfield Theaters, Inc., will reopen the Mosque theater on Christmas Day under the name The New Mosque. A novel policy has been announced by Henry Chesterfield, president, and John L. McCurdy, manager. The program will include a first-run film, a stage show, and dancing before, after and during the show. The programs will be arranged so that those wishing to dance in the evening may attend a 5 o'clock show and have a light meal at the soda fountain. The house, with its several ballrooms, will have a capacity of 10,000 and admission will be at popular prices. The opening program will have Buddy Rogers' "Dance Band" on the screen and Irene Bordoni on the stage. Maplewood — The S. R. O. sign was hung out Sunday in this town which voted last month to have Sunday movies for the first time in its history. It was the first show since the recount established proponents of the move had won by 62 votes. Manager M. G. Felder of the Maple Atlantic City Items Atlantic City— Colonial Theater crashed one of its biggest nights by packing 'em for big opening broadcast of talent tieup with Station WPG, Gus Edwards emseeing the show. They repeated in second try Monday and feature is assured for rest of winter. Nat Cohen has come in to handle publicity for Strand group here and also house manager Strand theater on Boardwalk. Dick Bergseth, formerly of that house now definitely at Embassy on avenue. Harvey Anderson of Apollo Theater returned from vacation with big array of new stuff. F. E. West now definitely set for winter at Stanley. wood on Monday announced people had been turned away at every performance. Dover — Thieves wrecked the office and safe of the Baker Theater, Manager Samuel Roth reported to police Monday, but a hasty check indicated nothing of value was taken. Kansas City Chatter Kansas City— The 1,400-seat New Center Theater, closed for many months, has been leased to a religious organization for use as a church. Hollywood Sci'een Service, Inc., formed to distribute motion picture advertising and advertising films, has taken offices on Film Row. Theodore Abeles is president and his son Theodore Abeles, Jr., is vicepresident of the organization which will operate in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska. Roy C. Emery, at one time treasurer of the old Auditorium Theater here and later a booking agent foj Sousa's band, passed away at his home here last week. Variety Club announces! another Christmas charity bowling tournament to be staged with the assistance of the K. C. "Star" on Saturday, Sunday and Monday before Christmas. F. C. Hensler of the local M-G-M exchange has announced that film stars are donating a number of the prizes while local merchants will donate the rest. Indiana Items Indianapolis — Dave Chatkin of Monarch Theaters spent several days here with Izzie Halperin, manager of the Monarch interests. Otto Ebert, Warner booker, is on the sick list. Hobart Hart, operator in Gary and Auburn, is building a new 20room residence on his estate. Marty Solomon, Columbia exchange manager, spent most of the past week in Louisville on business. Al Blocher, booker for the Theatrical Managers Inc., is busy booking Kiddie Christmas pictures. R. H. Gulmeyer, will open the Royal in Fairmount. The house has been dark a year. Annual Christmas party for poor children sponsored by the Variety Club will be held Dec. 23 in the Indiana Theater. Variety Club Charity Fund Night will be held at the Armory Dec. 17. Proceeds go to the Christmas Charity fund. Burglars entered the Paramount Theater in Ft. Wayne, and took approximately $2,000 Monday night.