Photoplay (Jul - Dec 1939)

* INDICATES PICTURE WAS ONE OF THE BEST OF THE MONTH WHEN REVIEWED A combination that spells dynamite at the box office — George Raft and James Cagney, co-starring in Warners' dramatic "Each Dawn I Die" ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN, THE— M-G-M It's a shame that Mark Twain's great classic of boyhood should have received such unhappy treatment. Mickey Rooney in the title role is given almost no chance to display his talent. If you loved the original story and like Mickey, skip this — it will save embarrassment all around. (A/ay) BACK DOOR TO HEAVEN— Paramount Pessimistic in tone, this social message proves that a misdeed in childhood can lead to degradation, with Wallace Ford the victim of the thesis. Patricia Ellis, Aline McMahon and Stuart Erwin help when he is brought to trial for murder. (July) BIG TOWN CZAR— Universal More gangsters, more tenement kids, more proof that crime doesn't pay. Guttersnipe Barton MacLane gets ambitious and tries to reach the top of the gangster business. Tom Brown plays his younger brother and Eve Arden furnishes the romance. (July) BLIND ALLEY— Columbia A cop-and-robber drama, with murder as its motivating theme and the psychological expose of a criminal's mind as its climactic aim. Chester Morris' work, as an escaped convict who takes refuge in the home of Psychologist Ralph Bellamy, is excellent. Ann Dvorak, Joan Perry and Melville Cooper complete the cast. (July) BLONDIE MEETS THE BOSS— Columbia The irresistible Bumpsteads return for the second time. When Daguood (Arthur Lake) is fired, Blondie (Penny Singleton) takes his place, leaving him at home to sweep and sew. Meanwhile Baby Dumpling and Daisy the pup are cutting capers and things go haywire. Skinnay Ennis and his band contribute a well-done jitterbug sequence. (May) • BRIDAL SUITE— M-G-M Robert Young gives another delightful characterization in this madcap comedy of a playboy who is allergic to marriage — that is until he meets up with Annabella. Billie Burke, as his flighty mother, Virginia Field, the jilted fiancee and Psychiatrist Walter Connolly add to the fun. (July) • BROADWAY SERENADE— M-G-M Here again Jeanette MacDonald has a hit, largely due to her own beauty and voice. She is cast as the wife of pianist Lew Ayres, but when his success doesn't match hers, there's a divorce. Ian Hunter moves in at this point, but the script writers see to it that Lew scores Jeanette's new show. Ayres continues to prove that his recent comeback was a good idea. {June) BULLDOG DRUMMOND'S SECRET POLICE— Paramount Here's mellerdrammer beyond belief — with horror chambers and even a treasure. John Howard is still playing Drummond, but even he can't make such a yarn acceptable. Heather Angel, H. B. Warner and Reginald Denny struggle valiantly, too. (July) Consult This Movie Shopping Guide and Save Your Time, Money and Disposition PICTURES REVIEWED IN SHADOW STAGE THIS ISSUE Page BOY FRIEND-20th Century-Fox 79 CAREER-RKO-Radio 55 CHARLIE CHAN IN RENO-20th Century-Fox 54 DAUGHTERS COURAGEOUS— Warners 54 EXILE EXPRESS-United Players-G. N. 79 FIXER DUGAN-RKORadio .79 FOR LOVE OR MONEY-Universal 79 GIRL FROM MEXICO, THE— RKO-Radk) 79 GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS-M-G-M . ... 54 GORILLA, THE— 20th Century-Fox 79 JONES FAMILY IN HOLLYWOOD, THE-20th Century-Fox 80 KID FROM KOKOMO, THE-Warners 79 MAISIE— M-G-M 55 SOOO ENEMIES— M-G-M 79 SOME LIKE IT HOT-Paramount 79 SOS-TIDAL WAVE— Republic 80 STRONGER THAN DESIRE-M-G-M 55 SUN NEVER SETS, THE-Universal 55 TARZAN FINDS A SON!— M-G-M , ... 54 TELL NO TALES-M-G-M 80 WINTER CARNIVAL-Wanger-U. A 54 WOLF CALL— Monogram 79 YOUNG MR. LlNCOLN_20th Century-Fox 55 CALLING DR. KILDARE— M-G-M Lew Ayres, doing well in this popular series as young Dr. Kildare, must choose between operating on a man wanted for murder, or letting the fellow die because of a principle. He falls in love with the patient's sister, Lana Turner, but Lionel Barrymore, as the testy old surgeon, steps in when tilings look, black. (July) • CAPTAIN FURY— Hal Roach-U. A. A rip-roaring melodrama, with escaped convicts Brian Aherne and Victor McLaglen playing Robin Hood in rescuing settlers from an unscrupulous land baron, George Zucco. It all adds up to a grand thriller, with June Lang adding the romantic touch and Virginia Field pairing with McLaglen. (July) • CONFESSIONS OF A NAZI SPY— Warners Tills is propaganda — with apologies to none. It's a bold step and its purpose is to prove that Nazism is not confined to Europe, but is spreading throughout the world. G-man Eddie Robinson is billed as the star, but it's Paul Lukas, leader of the Nazi forces in this country, who's the real star. Francis Lederer, as the egocentric spy, gives a memorable performance. (July) CRIME IN THE MAGINOT LINE— Tower In this French-made film, mystery, murder, espionage stalk the underground passages of France's famous fort, the Maginot Line. Victor Francen, as a French army officer, relentlessly tracks down the enemy cause of it all. Vera Koren. as Francen's wife, adds light but not too much sweetness to her role. There is suspense to the plot and a compelling quality to the many authentic shots of the grim fortification along the German border. CRISIS — Mayer-Bursty n An arresting picture of "the rape of Czechoslovakia," from the time of the Austrian Anschluss to the so-called Peace of Munich. Herbert Kline and his camera were right on the spot when things began to happen, so the film provides a valuable contribution to the screen's history of our times. It's propaganda, yes, but definitely worthwhile. ic DARK VICTORY-Warners You may have heard "raves" over this picture and they are all true. Bette Davis' matchless acting reaches new heights as the rich young girl who learns she has only a few months to live, falls in love with George Brent, her doctor, gallantly solves her problem in the best way possible. Geraldine Fitzgerald, a newcomer. Brent and Humphrey Bogart are splendid too. A must. (May) • DODGE CITY-Warners As a Western to end all boss operas, this rousing Technicolor film is a prize piece of production. Errol Flynn is the hero who has little time for love (even Olivia de Havillands) until the last killer has bitten Kansas dust. Bruce Cabot is a dyed-in-the-wool villain and Ann Sheridan gets past the Hays' office as a cabaret girl. Entire cast deserves high praise. (June) • EAST SIDE OF HEAVEN-Universal A cute little moppet steals this from Bing Crosby and Joan Blondell. Bing, who sings messages for a telegraph company, and Joan, who is a switchboard operator, are always on the verge of marriage. Something usually stops them and this time it's young Sandy Henville. But Bing sings his way out of trouble. Mischa Auer's melancholy Russian act is good for its usual laughs. (June) FAST AND LOOSE-M-G-M Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell are the screen's newest additions to the long line of married couples who are amateur sleuths. They work like beavers to show up the guilty party who murdered a rich bibliophile. You may be annoyed at the ease with which you yourself can pick "whodunit." (May) FLYING IRISHMAN, THE— RKO-Radio A somewhat romanticized screen treatment of the trials and final triumph in the life of Doug Corrigan. this doesn't pretend to be anything but a sincere story, nor does the principal try to be anything but a simple flyer. Therefore, the film is in good taste and a nice hour of entertainment. You will hardly be surprised to learn that he really did intend to fly — to Ireland! (May) GRACIE ALLEN MURDER CASE, THE— Paramount When a murder-mystery turns out to be an hysterical farce, you can be certain that Gracie Allen is lurking in the continuity. With deft hand and numb brain Gracie sees to it that the hero goes to jail, the police go berserk and the villain goes free. No wonder Investigator Warren William wears a dazed look. Kent Taylor and Ellen Drew furnish the romance. (July) HARDYS RIDE HIGH, THE— M-G-M Another delightful Hardy picture, in which Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone and the other lovable members of the family go berserk en masse when they almost fall heir to two million dollars. You'll get a howl out of Mickey's run-in with a chorus gal and mousey A unt Milly's romance. Good addition, Virginia Grey. (July) HOTEL IMPERIAL— Paramount Isa Miranda makes her American bow in this weak war melodrama as nfemme fatale who must carry on as a hotel chambermaid when the Russians invade disputed territory. There's an attempt at suspense, but somehow you know handsome Ray Milland will win out. (July) HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES, THE— 20th Century-Fox There is disappointment in this Conan Doyle crime puzzle, in which everyone lives under the shadow of an old legend. It drags at the beginning, works up to good suspense and then comes to climax without letting us in on Sherlock's methods. Basil Rath bone is a bored Sherlock Holmes, Nigel Bruce, Watson. Richard Greene and Wendy Barrie supply romance. (June) • ICE FOLLIES OF 1939, THE— M-G-M Metro steers into the ice field with this Gargantuan frozen follies, using as background the ice troupe that successfully followed Sonja Henie around America. The plot has Joan Crawford loving Jimmie Stewart, marrying him, leaving him. coming back to him. Lew Ayres is good as the bitter partner of Stewart. (May) I'M FROM MISSOURI— Paramount You may not care if the Missouri mule is replaced by the tractor but Bob Burns does and goes to England in defense of the animal. Gladys George plays Bob's wife. Bill Henry and Gene Lockhart do good jobs in small roles. Full of Burns' homely humor. (June) • INVITATION TO HAPPINESS— Paramount Don't let the prize-fighting background fool you in this story' of a charming aristocrat. Irene Dunne, who marries a man whose background is beyond her understanding. Fred Mac Murray is splendidly right as the would-be champ and Billy Cook is excellent as the ten-year-old son whose unhappiness precipitates his parents' divorce. Adult and intelligent. (July) (Continued on page 87) PHOTOPLAY -i