Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

Page 40 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW May 6, 1939 Blue Montana Skies (Continued from page 25) Walter Shrum and his Colorado Hillbillies, others. Screenplay by Gerald Geraghty from an original story by Norman S. Hall and Paul Franklin. Directed by B. Reeves Eason. Associate Producer, Harry Grey. Plot: Autry, making his regular trip into the Canadian Northwest to sell cattle, runs into a smuggling situation and finds his pal, Marshall, murdered. He traces the smugglers to Tune Storey's ranch and finds that her rancli partner, Woods, is the head of a fur-smuggling racket without June's knowledge. He also learns that Woods is responsible for Marshall's murder. With the help of Smiley, he succeeds in rounding up the gang, SUMMARY: Perhaps this should be labeled a NorthWestern, since the action takes place near the Canadian border. Irrespective of that, however, it's satisfactory Autry fare, and full of the ingredients Autry fans have come to expect from their favorite. The hombres have discarded cattle rustling to go into bigger things which, in this case, turns out to be fur-smuggling. Although there's slightly less action than usual, this picture manages to move along at an entertaining clip, with interest being heightened by Gene's singing, the music of Walter Shrum and his Colorado Hillbillies, and the comedy of Smiley Burnette. Nor can the beauty of June Storey be overlooked; she's the loveliest of reasons for any man to go West. That's our Storey, and we'll stick to her. If you've been playing the other Autry vehicles, then you know where to date this one for best results at the box office. It won't disappoint. Good use of newspaper advertising, plus the utilization of Gene Autry national tieups, should form the nucleus of your exploitation. Catchline: "Thrill as Gene smashes a dangerous gang of smugglers." (FAMILY) Star Reporter Monogram Drama 62 mins. Fearless Newsman Exposes Murderer In A Familiar Film Plot; Action Holds Interest (National Release Date, Feb. 22) Cast: Wa rren Hull, Marsha Hunt, Morgan Wallace, Clay Clement, Wallis Clark, Virginia Howell. Screenplay by John T. Neville. Directed by Howard Bretherton. Plot: Warren Hull supports Wallis Clark, his prospective father-in-law, for election as District Attorney, but breaks with him and has a falling-out with Alarsha Hunt when Clark reduces the charge of murder to that of manslaughter against Morgan Wallace. Clark does this because it is revealed to him that the murderer is Hull's own father, who deserted his mother before the reporter was born. Meantime, Marsha tries to get a confession by Wallace and in so doing a man is accidentally killed as Wallace and Marsha struggle for possession of a pistol. Marsha is accused of the killing, and Hull forces Wallace to write a confession freeing Marsha. Wallace is killed by police as he tries to escape, leaving Marsha and Hull happily reunited. SUMMARY: A story told many times with variations, this is not a dram.a to create excitement, but it is sound melodrama and holds its fair share of interest by reason of good action and substantial production and acting by Warren Hull, Marsha Hunt and others. As a supporting number on a dual bill it will satisfy average audiences. Play it up as modern drama in which a crusading newspaper man daringly risks his life and his own good name to bring a murderer to justice. Display newspaper theme in lobbies, heralds and stunts. Headlines surrounding posters, newspaper tieup for essays on "why I'd like to be a reporter,," etc. Catchline: "A screen scoop brings you a story bristling with thrills, mvsterv and love." (FAMILY) Escape From Yesterday (French Dialoquc, Eiujlisli Fitles) Hoffberg Drama 89 mins. Duvivier's Splendid Direction, Cabin's Virile Performance, Make This Suspenseful Film (National Release Date, May 2) Cast: Jean Gabin, Annabella, Robert le Vigan, Aimos, Pierre Renoir, Charles Granval, Margo Lion, Gaston Modot, Castro Blanco, Robert Ozanne, Vivianne Romance, Little Jacky. Story by Julien Duvivier. Directed by Julien Duvivier. Plot: Gabin, a Paris criminal hiding from the police in Barcelona, is driven by hunger and desperation to join the Spanish Legion. He meets le Vigan, whom he suspects of being a police spy. To get away from le Vigan, Gabin asks for a transfer, and is sent to Morocco. There he meets Annabelle, a dancing girl, falls in love and marries her. Again le Vigan appears on the scene and Two Stunts That Had All Waco Talking Two stunts that made the folks of Waco, Texas, ivake up and take notice of Universal' s "Three Smart Girls Grow Up" at the Waco Theatre consisted of (1) having three girls zvalk around the business section carrying umbrellas bearing ad copy and (2) placing a giant cut-out head of Deanna Durbin in the window of one of Waco's busiest drug stores. The stunts, engineered by Rex Bedoin, advertising manager^ kept the Waco's cashier busy, merrily punching tickets. becomes enamored of Cabin's wife. Gabin confides in Annabella his suspicions of le Vigan, and later has those suspicions verified. The two men quarrel, but when their personal drama reaches its highest point, the two, along with others, are assigned to a dangerous outpost. Annabella gives Gabin a piece of gold to take with him. At the isolated fortress, the men fight the enemy desperately, but are overwhelmed. Only Gabin and le Vigan survive. They become friends. Just as relief comes to them, Gabin is killed. Le Vigan returns to Morocco, and there gives Annabella the piece of gold Gabin had promised to keep as long as he lived. SUMMARY: Although theatres in this country playing this film will bill Annabella as the star, it belongs solely to Jean Gabin. He is the chief interest of this vivid romantic adventure, with Annabella playing a secondary role. As a criminal involved in a psychologically developed manhunt stretching from Paris to the North African desert, Gabin is excellent. He reminds one of our own Spencer Tracy. Under a black wig and dark grease paint, Annabella will prove just as attractive and seductive as ever to many of her American admirers. But it is the technique of Duvivier, his mastery of the camera in making it record a story any average intelligent person can quickly grasp whether he understands the dialogue or not, that makes "Escape From Yesterday" the suspenseful, powerful entertainment it is. With Annabella receiving top billing, exhibitors may as well take a chance on this film for a companion feature as on many others which are less superior. Your experience with foreign films, and your knowledge of your own situation, should guide you in booking or rejecting it Sell it as a vivid adventure drama of a sharply etched personality and a fascinating story of a manhunt. Conduct a contest in which readers tell whether they prefer Annabella as a dark, Moroccan dancing girl or as herself. OUTSTANDING: Jean Gabin; Julien Duvivier's direction. Catchline: "From gay Paris to the hot, dry African desert he could not escape the law's relentless pursuit." (ADUL'TS) Weird Atmosphere Is Created For Selette's "Horror" Program A striking campaign on the "Frankenstein""Dracula" combination was put over recently by Eddie Selette, Manager of the Warners' Albany Theatre, Albany, N. Y. First, he made a tieup of heralds and bags with merchants, as well as window displays of green candy and bakery goods. Careen bulbs were placed around the theatre, both inside and out. Hanging from the marquee, and along the walls of the lobby were cardboard skeletons. First aid supplies were displayed in a glass showcase. A "screaming" record was played which sent chills up and down the spines of prospective patrons. On the sidewalk in front of the theatre, Selette placed an operating table and dummy. Two dummies in skeleton outfits were on each side of the box office. For street ballyhoo he used a boy dressed as a skeleton. The entire staff of ushers and cashiers were attired as internes, while across the lobby were suspended illuminated skull masks. At nighttime green flares were burned on the sidewalk curb. ^ GIVE TODAY-BUILD FOR TOMORROW vAi THE GReATER NEW YORK FUND /939 APPEAL TO BUSINeSS AMD EMPLOVtE CROUPS ON BtHALF OF 380 VOLUMTARV HEALTH AND WELFARE AGENCIES