Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

Page 24 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW May 13, 1939 — m Boys* Reformatory (Continued from page 9) and Grant Withers seem to give the sincerest performances. For exploitation, get the support of local welfare groups and tell them of the strong moral lessons in the picture, see? A display of gangster paraphernalia could be displayed in the lobby along with action stills. There are stills available for cooperative tieups, see? Catchline: "A smashing, crashing drama of the little bie house." (FAMILY) The Rookie Cop ( Hollyi^'ood Previei^') RKO Drama 60 mins. Thrills, Suspense And Dog Actor Make This One Good For Action Half Of Dual (National Release Date, April 28) Cast: Tim Holt, Virginia Weidler, Janet Shaw, Frank M. Thomas, Robert Emmett Keane, Monte Montague and Ace. The Wonder Dog and others. Story by Guy K. Austin and Earl Johnson. Screenplay by Morton Grand and Jo Pagano. Directed by David Howard. Produced by Bert Gilroy. Plot: Three months on the force. Rookie Cop Tim Holt is trying to convince the Police Commissioner that his Police Dog Ace deserves a chance to help track down criminals. With the help of the Police Chief's daughter, Janet Shaw, and the next door neighbor's precocious Virginia Weidler, they track down a gang who had stolen furs, held up banks and committed other crimes too numerous to mention and convince the authorities of the worth of the dog for a place on anv police force. SUMMARY: For either half of a double, particularly in those houses that get the week-end play of the kids, this will bring in good money at the boxoffice and advance exploitation on Ace, possibly one of the greatest dogs yet to show his screen capabilities, will add much more to the take. Tim Holt, improving in every picture, is top-notch and he gets grand support from the moppet, Virginia Weidler, who wants to be a lady Police Commissioner. David Howard directs with a snappy hand and paces his chases and fights right up to the last second of suspense and has a nice story and production to help him. Try to get a trained Police Dog for outside ballyhoo and make connections with Police authorities for tieups, with uniforms and arsenal layouts. OUTSTANDING: Tim Holt, Virginia Weidler and the Dog, Ace. Catchline: "Just a rookie, but the tops in the eyes of his dog " (FAMILY) Panama Lady ( Hollyzvood Previeiv) RKO Drama 65 mins. Fair Program Picture, Well Directed And Acted, O.K. For Second Feature (National Release Date, May 12) Cast: Lucille Ball, Allan Lane, Steffi Duna, Evelyn Brent, Donald Briggs, Abner Biberman and others. Story by Garrett Fort. Screenplay by Michael Kanin. Directed by Jack Hively. Produced by Cliff Reid. Plot: Lucille Ball is one of half a dozen stranded chorus girls in a Panama cafe, that caters to the flotsam of that port. She is given the go-bye by a gem smuggling aviator, Donald Briggs, but is taken into the interior by an oil prospector, Allan Lane, and almost poisoned by his native girl, Steffi Duna, who resents her coming as new housekeeper. Left in care of Lane's native man Fridajf, Abner Biberman, she has cleaned up house just as Briggs comes to take her on a one-way plane trip. When Briggs steals Lane's oil grant plans, he is shot to death by Steffi, who accuses Lucille. It is all straightened out, and a year later Lucille is found in the states by Lane and they clinch for the finale. SUMMARY: With about five minutes cut out of the beginning of the picture, this story would carry interest from beginning to end with a good chance for it to hold filler spot for the action half in duals. Lucille Ball and Allan Lane are in most of the footage and hold the audience well in nicely portrayed parts. Good assistance is given them by Steffi Duna and Abner Biberman as natives and Evelyn Brent as the saloonkeeper. Jack Hively gets plenty of interest and chuckles with his keen direction from a modestly budgeted production. Dress lobby with palm and cocoanut trees. Dress employes in Palm Beach garb. OUTSTANDING: Direction. Catchline: "When she found she didn't fire the second shot — she landed the big shot." (FAMILY) Fixer Dugan RKO Drama 64 mins. Picture With Circus Background Should Be All Right For Saturday Afternoons (National Release Date March 21) Cast: Lee Tracy, Virginia Weidler, Peggy Shannon, Bradley Page, William Edmunds, Edward Gargan, Jack Arnold and others. Screenplay by Bert Granet and Paul Yawitz. Original play by H. C. Potter. Directed by Lew Landers. Produced by Cliff Reid. Plot: Tracy is known as Fixer Dugan as his job with circus is to get everybody out of a jam when they get into one. Rita LaRoy is killed when she falls olif a high wire and her daughter, Virginia Weidler is cared for by Tracy and Peggy Shannon, The child is finally taken to an orphanage through a man who had swindled Peggy but Virginia, Peggy and Tracy get even in the end. SUMMARY: For RKO this can only be called poor fare. Lacking marquee names and without much of a plot to recommend it the picture's best hope is on Saturday afternoons. The kids will love it but there will be some who'll say they shouldn't see it because of the dishonest practices shown. It cost but little to make and shows it in most departments. Sell it with a circus atmosphere and plenty of circusy stunts. Use a "chariot" ticket booth instead of your regular box office. A clown outside the theatre and such stunts should attract attention. Catchline: "Drama behind the thrills of the circus." (FAMILY) President Keeps Promise And Inspects "Union Pacific" Train The story behind President Roosevelt's visit this week to the "Union Pacific" special train which Paramount is sending on a tour of the principal cities of the nation in connection with the release of Cecil B. DeMille's production, "Union Pacific", leaked out in official circles in Washington. The invitation to the President was extended by his friend, Carl R. Gray, who retired as president of the Union Pacific railroad in 1937 after serving in that post for seventeen years. Roosevelt promised to accompany Gray on an inspection trip. Gray was found dead in bed in his hotel room in Washington this week' and when the news was given the President he said lie would not cancel his plan to see the "Union Pacific" special. Columbia's Regional Meeting in Atlantic City Home office executives, foreign representatives division managers, branch managers and salesmen from the sixteen exchanges present at the first of a series of three sales meetings held by Columbia Pictures Corporation at Atlantic City, May 8th to Uth. On the dais, reading from left to right are: George Josephs, manager sales accounting; Maurice Crad, director sales promotion; Leo Jaffe, assistant to A. Schneider; Irving Moross, attorney; Max Weisfeldt, short subject sales supervisor; Rube Jackter, assistant sales manager; A. Montague, general sales manager; Jack Cohn, vice-president; Joseph A. McConvilie, foreign manager; Louis Astor, circuit sales; Louis Weinberg, circuit sales; Maurice A. Bergman, director of advertising, publicity and exploitation. (Other picture on page 6)