Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

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April 8, 1939 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW Page 17 and produced by Robert Z. Leonard. Plot: Jeanette Mae Donald and Lew A>Tes are a good song-and-piano team but playing a chain of cabarets mainly through the" pimching ability of the latter. Happily married and living in a theatrical boardinghouse, they are separated by Jeanette's engagement in Frank Morgan's musical comedy, backed by Ian Hunter. Her success is Ayres' downfall until, just as she reaches the top and divorces Ayres, he shows up with the score of "Broadway Serenade", having been egged on by Al Shean, an old musician who had faith in him. Morgan buys the score with the proviso that Ayres get Jeanette to give up plans to marry Hunter and star in the revue. He does and wins her back. SUMMARY: With a lavish production that has everything a theatregoer could wish for, this first solo starring of Jeanette MacDonald, should stand on its own for top boxoffice grosses everywhere. Jeanette MacDonald, in better voice than ever and showing more versatility than in any of her previous efforts, swings, chants and vocalizes as though she were enjoying every minute of her work. There's a big name supporting cast, headed by Lew Ayres, Frank Morgan, Ian Hunter and last but not least, Al Shean, in a standout performance as the old musician who is instrumental in bringing the pair together again. For the first producing-directing stint of Robert Z. Leonard, it is his best effort by far and should make him very near to top man in this category. Top notch are music, dance numbers, photography, montage effects, screenplay and costumes. For exploitation see Showmanalysis in issue of April 1, pages 26 and 27. OUTSTANDING: Jeanette MacDonald, Lew Ayres, Al Shean and the direction. Catchline: "She reached the pinnacle of success alone . . . but made her husband share it." (FAMILY) This Man Is News (London Trade Shozv) Para. Mystery 78 mins. Surprisingly Good Picture Almost Hits "A" Rating For Direction and Acting (National Release Date Not Set) Cast: Valerie Hobson, Barry K. Barnes, Alastair Sim, John Warwick, and others. Screenplay by Allan MacKinnon and Basil Dearden. Directed by David MacDonald. Plot: Barnes, a reporter, is fired because he insists that Brown who has turned King's evidence will be murdered. That night he celebrates with his wife and, slightly tipsy, phones Sim, the much harassed city editor to gag him that Brown has been murdered. Taking him seriously Sim publishes the "story". Brown is shot, but an hour after the paper has gone to bed and Barnes is arrested. His alibi is accepted. A series of attacks is made on Barnes' life and it is evident that the crook's think he knows too much. However, he succeeds in rounding them up and getting his job back. SUMMARY: This is a surprise packet. Produced on a modest budget, it only wanted bigger names to be an "A" picture. Perhaps the story is slightly incredible, but then Hollywood has made many newspaper films which have been fantastic. David MacDonald has made a fine job of the direction, keeping things moving at a fast tempo and adding a polish and slickness not often found in British films. It is a programmer which can be shown in any theatre. The acting is excellent and there is little to complain about the accents. Barry Barnes is an admirable hero and Valerie Hobson, a Trailer Sells Cooling System Professor Whizz, a unique character created by National Screen Service, will soon be presented to exhibitors in a new and different way to lick the Summer bugaboo. The application of this idea, according to NSS, takes into consideration the investment thousands of theatres throughout the country put in cooling systems, and enables them to publicize their cooling systems in a new and individual manner. pleasing heroine. It is, however, Alastair Sim as MacGregor, the fussy, cantankerous city editor, who steals the film. His is a grand cameo which will please any audience; it was a nice directorial touch shooting him in the last reel! After his performances in the Jessie Matthews' films, he should be worth billing. Run a teaser campaign on the title. Invite local newspapermen to a special screening. Borrow a tape machine for the lobby. No need to have this working, but have some strips printed with copy about the murder and the picture, as well. OUTSTANDING: Direction and story. Catchline: "A newshawk finds himself on the front page". (FAMILY) Streets of New York (Hollyzvood Previezv) Mono. Drama 73 mins. Sure-Fire Audience Appeal in Story Highlighted by Powerful Sentiment (National Release Date, April 12) Cast: Jackie Cooper, Martin Spellman, Dick Purcell, David Durand, Marjorie Reynolds, Sidney Miller, Buddy Pepper and others. Screenplay by Robert Andrews. Directed by William Nigh. Plot: Jackie Cooper earns enough from his newsstand to support himself and also care for a crippled orphan boy. Jackie's ambition is to be a lawyer, and he studies diligently and attends night school to attain that goal. A judge of the Magistrate's Court becomes interested in the boy and encourages him, after learning that Jackie refuses to accept any money or have anything to do with an older larother who is a notorious racketeer. The latter, pursued by police following a fatal shooting, hides in Jackie's basement room, threatening the young brother. There is a scuffle and the racketeer's revolver is fired, wounding the crippled boy. Police arrest the gangster, and Jackie's way is once more clear to follow his studies. SUMMARY: Well handled situations stressing human interest and heart appeal make this a film that will please general audiences. It tops "Gangster's Boy" as an audience picture, will have people smiling through their tears at the tender sentiment of the Christmas party given by the kindly judge to the newsboy and his young pals. The element of melodrama is nicely developed to give the film a good climax with police in pursuit of Jackie's older brother. Ballyhoo along lines of newsboys distributing special editions or programs. Play up the inspirational angle of a boy who makes good despite temptations of racketeers and life in city streets, but only as an added attraction to human interest. OUTSTANDING: Sustained interest in characters, acting by Jackie Cooper and Martin Spellman. Catchline: A boy who was bigger than the obstacles a big cit}' put in his path. (FAMILY) Bulldog Drummond's Secret Police Para. Mystery 55 mins. Fans Who Have Previously Enjoyed This Series Will Find This Up To Standard (National Release Date, April I'l) Cast: John Ploward, Heather Angel, H. B. Warner, Reginald Denny, E. E. Clive, Elizabeth IPatterson, Leo Carroll, Forrester Plarvey and others. Screenplay by Garnett Weston. Based on "Temple Tower" by H. C. "Sapper" McNeile. Directed by James Hogan. Plot: Ploward is about to get married to Heather Angel (again). This time he is to spend the night previous to his wedding at his ancestral castle. That night Harvey, a professor, comes to him with the tale of secret treasure buried beneath the castle. He reveals that his assistant has also been seeking it. Later that night he is killed. The killer is the assistant posing as Drummond's servant, newly hired. The pseudo servant takes Heather into the tunnels beneath the castle but is followed by the others who rescue her and the treasure. SUMMARY: That is what might be aptly called a "briefie". It's just about feature length. Those theatres which have done well with previous pictures in this series will find this latest one satisfactory filler for the action half of a dual bill. The acting is all right and so is the direction. If one isn't too critical, the story will pass too, but in our opinion nothing can justify the asinine actions of Bulldog Drummond and his whole troupe of secret police including Scotland Yard's Commissioner. If the British clubmen ever see this picture they'll sputter into their whiskey and .... A castle cutout would be appropriate for tht lobby or front display. An eerie looking torture chamber such as is shown underneath the castle would add to the illusion. Run a contest for those who can name the greatest number of Bulldog Drummond pictures. Catchline: "He's ofT again on the trail of a clueless killer". (ADULT) I Am Not Afraid ( H oUyz\.'Ood Preinci^') WB Drama 59 mins. Capable Program Offering Should Hold Its Own In Support Of Any Dual Bill (National Release Date, Not Set) Cast: Jane Bryan, Charley Grapewin, Henry O'Neill, Elizabeth Risdon, Jimmy McCallion, Dickie Jones, John Gallaudet and others. Original story "Star Witness" by Lucien Hubbard. Screenplay by Lee Katz. Directed by Crane Wilbur. Associate Producer, Gordon Hollingshead. Plot: Charley Grapewin, war veteran, and his family, are witnesses to the bombing of an automobile that kills a private detective and his wife, who were to appear before the Grand Jury with evidence concerning a graft scandal. In order to prevent their testifying, John Gallaudet, chief of the political machine strong-arm squad, has Dickie Jones, Grapewin's grandson, kidnapped and threatened with death. Grapewin eludes the police guard hired to protect them, and knowing that Dickie, wherever he is, will recognize his harmonica playing, goes through the district where Dickie is thought to be held. Dickie hearing the familiar strains, crashes a football through the window, which lands at Grapewin's feet. Grapewin recognizes the ball (Confiiiiied on page 22) For Additional Exploitation Ideas on These Pictures Consult Encyclopedia of Exploitation — See Page 18 I