Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1934)

Friday, December 28, 1934 MOTION PICTURE DAILY MOTION PICTURE DAILY* HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW "I've Been Around" (Universal) Hollywood, Dec. 27. — This features Chester Morris and Rochelle Hudson. Mounted artistically by John Mescall photography and depicting a love triangle between Morris, Miss Hudson and G. P. Huntley with Isabel Jewel and Gene Lockhart furnishing sufficient comedy to prevent a somewhat weak story from dragging, this shows the conflict of love in the upper strata of society, affording ample opportunity for lavish settings and beautiful photography. The offering in its present form shows possibilities for fair entertainment when properly edited. The story concerns an ambitious suitor, Morris, building up dreams for Miss Hudson, whom he finally marries only to have her regret it momentarily for love of Huntley, who marries another for convenience. It all works out well after tense dramatic situations capably handled by Phil Cahn, the director, who, with the aid of good acting of the entire cast, makes the best of weak story material from an original by John Meehan, Jr. The picture was produced by B. F. Zeidman. Production Code Seal, No. 361. Running time, 75 minutes. "G." Looking 'Em Over "Radio Parade of 1935" (Associated British Pictures) London, Dec. 13. — A concluding reel in Dufaycolor, the new British system, is a point of special interest in this comedy musical. It is used in big spectacular scenes, featuring Alberta Hunter and a skilful dancing troupe and, as a first effort, suggests possibilities. At present it has shortcomings, the color being variable, with uneven flesh tints, ultra vivid greens and an imperfect white. General entertainment values are good in this picture presenting an array of British radio artists with a few Americans doing their stuff. The story link is strong and ingenious. A program director, deprived of all his artistes by a vaudeville bar, recruits a new bunch from the staff of the broadcasting station and, with the aid of a handy inventor, puts over a sensational hit by presenting the show, on screens erected in main streets, by television in color. The comedy angle is emphasized, and the material is good and put over peppily. Though the big point of the skit on the methods of the official B. B. C. British station will miss in America, such incidents as the arrival of the staff in military formation are funny in themselves, the individual performances are good and the sidelights of the background of broadcasting full of interest. There is a big array of names, some of which mean something in America, while the owners of the others all deliver their special line of goods. Helen Chandler is the secretary and fiancee of the young director, Clifford Mollison, and the others include Will Hay, Billy Bennett, the Western Brothers, Alfred Drayton, the Three Sailors, Alberta Hunter, Ted Ray, Clapham and Dwyer, Haver and Lee, Gerry Fitzgerald and Arthur Young, Ronald Frankau, Teddie Joyce and his band and the Buddy Bradley Girls. It is live entertainment for any audience if that audience can take good stuff even if it is mainly expressed in the idiom of another country. Running time, 85 minutes. "G." ALLAN "Forsaking All Others," which opened at the Capitol Tuesday, was covered by Hollywood wire on Nov. 27. "Little Minister," yesterday's opener at the Radio City Music Hall, was reviewed by wire from Hollywood on Dec. 11. "West of the Pecos," which opens this morning at the Criterion, was reviewed by wire from Hollywood on Nov. 23. Short Subjects "Dizzy and Daffy" (Vitaphone) Here is a short that might create more comment than the feature on whose bill it plays. Jerome (Dizzy) Dean and Paul (Daffy) Dean, Cardinal World Series heroes, are the names featured and the team expected to bring crowds to the box-office. But it is Shemp Howard who, in all probability, will be the member of the cast to create audience comment. The story is negligible and serves only as a means of putting the Dean boys on the screen. It has them members of a small-time ball club of which Howard is the star pitcher. He is knocked out of the box and the Deans go in and save the game. Shots of the last World Series are interspersed, including all the highlights of the games. Howard reaches new heights with his corned} here, and alone carries the picture. His antics and peculiar dialogue delivery should convulse with laughter any audience that sees this. This short is to be highly recommended. Reviewed without production code seal. Running time, 20 mins. "Jack Frosf (Celebrity) This Comi-Color cartoon is grand entertainment. It should have particular appeal to children, and adults will probably find themselves chuckling as they see it. Done in color, it tells the tale of a bear cub that refuses to heed his parents' warning and hibernate for the winter. When Jack Frost comes around and paints the leaves to change them into the various autumn colors the cub runs away from home. He is overtaken by old man Winter and sealed in a hollow log but is rescued by Jack Frost. Appropriate music accompanies the action and dialogue. Reviewed without Production Code Seal. Running time, 8 mins. "G." "Pop Goes My Hearf' (Vitaphone) A pleasant "Merrie Melodie" color cartoon that features the song, "Pop Goes Your Heart." It has little woodland creatures going through their musical capers and dancing antics to the tune of the song and should have particular appeal to children. Production Code Seal, No. 398. Running time, 7 mins. "G." "Two Lame Ducks" (Educatioiujl) Vince Barnett and Billy Gilbert fans may be disappointed in this one, even though it is fairly amusing. It concerns a duck shooting trip taken by the two comedians after their wives have removed their licenses to punish them. The ensuing comedy is fair. Production code seal, No. 365. Running time, 14 mins. "G." "Knickerbocker Knights" (Universal) A fair Mentone production consisting of a number of vaudeville turns, with Roy Atwell as master of ceremonies. Among the entertainers are Gypsy Nina, the Pearl Twins, Hayes, Haig & Howe, Jerome Mann, and the Cecil Mack choir of colored singers. A mixture of singing, dancing and comedy, with Mann outstanding. His imitations of prominent folk are accurate. Code seal No. 0177. Running time, 20 mins. "G." Temple Benefit Planned Temple Ezrath Israel, known as the actors' temple, will hold its annual benefit at the Imperial Jan. 6. Stage, screen and radio talent will supply the program. Attack Fox Claims In Tri-Ergon Case (_Contim<ed from page 1) his ownership of basic patents affecting the talking film. The briefs were filed in the names of all of the companies associated in the case and contended that the development of talking pictures was the result of the separate efforts of many American scientists and that the German inventors were unable to develop their product in Germany with the aid of the patents. Taking up the points on which Fox depends, the briefs take the attitude that the flywheel claims do not constitute invention, pointing out that Thomas A. Edison sought to secure a similar patent in connection with the phonograph, which was refused as not being a new invention. With respect to printing, it is charged that a certain provision was not incorporated in the patent until 1929, after talking pictures had been developed and found commercially practicable. New Ohio Tax Start Put Back to Feb. 1 Columbus, Dec. 27. — Collection of the recently-enacted three per cent sales tax will not start until Feb. 1, according to Carlton S. Dargusch, vice-chairman of the State Tax Commission. It previously had been planned to make it effective Jan. 10 to 15. Delay in distribution of tax stamps by the state treasurer is indicated as the reason for the postponement. Exhibitors, compelled to put the tax into effect Jan. 1, will not hereafter be required to detail the breakdown of their gross, as between established admissions and state tax, as was the case with the 10 per cent impost. Box-office signs and other advertising media need only show the gross admissions, followed by the words, "Including Ohio State Tax.'' Tickets now on hand may be used by exhibitors until the supply is exhausted, or until advised to the contrary by the tax commission. Thereafter, special tickets which specify inclusion of the tax must be used. Name St. Louis Trustee St. Louis, Dec. 27. — J. Porter Henry, an attorney, has been appointed special trustee for the fund of $20,962 deposited in the First National Bank under the name of "The Skouras' Employes' Mutual Aid Ass'n" by Circuit Judge Green. Under the court's order Henry will determine to whom the fund should be paid. Some weeks ago Thornton W. Sargeant, Jr., a former employe of the Skouras Brothers' Super Theatres Corp., brought suit seeking a distribution of the fund. The fund was established by the Skouras Brothers when they operated the Ambassador, Grand Central and Missouri for the benefit of their employes. Omaha to Have Shows Omaha, Dec. 27. — First stage show to be seen here since June opens New Year's eve midnight at A. H. Blank's Orpheum featuring Harriet Calloway's Cotton Club revue. The attraction has been booked for three days.