Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

Fcgc 18 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW May 20, 1939 Dates Shown Are Release Vales This department is primarily intended to convey Important information regarding product on which no press book or ad material are available. Showmen who run pictures pre-release will find it a valuable source. Listings will appear but once. TORCHY— DEAD OR ALIVE WB Drama Not Set Selling Names: Jane Wyman, Tom Kennedy. Allen Jenkins. Director: Noel Smith. Assoc. Producer: Bryan Foy. Story Idea: Jane Wyman is arrested for speeding and meets Slieila Bromley in jail. Sheila is Eddie Marr's girl-friend and the police have offered a large reward for his capture. Jane saves Sheila's life when a crazed woman attacks her with a knife and so wins her confidence — getting a scoop for her paper and a bandit for the police. Catchline: "Torchy plots a jail-break." Story Idea: Mar}' Boland and Charlie Ruggles are the Fitch family with Joyce Mathews, as their daughter and John Hartley, as her boy friend. To prove his worth, so that he may adopt Donald O'Connor and Billy Lee, Ruggles, the manager of an apartment house, overcomes his timidity and saves Billy's life. Catchline: "Timid ... he became a steeplejack to save a child's life." RULER OF THE SEAS Para Drama Not set INSIDE INFORMATION Univ Drama June 2 Selling Names: Dick ,Foran, June Lang, Harry Carey, Addison Richards. Director: Charles Lamot. Producer: Irving Starr. Story Idea: Dick Foran, a rookie cop, is suspended from the force by Harry Carey, because Carey, a strong-arm, hard-bitten cop, is scornful of Foran's new scientific methods. But when Foran brings in the head of a gang of jewel thieves. Carey reinstates him and gives his consent to Foran's marriage to his niece, June Lang. Catchline: "A rookie cop who copped the crooks." Selling Names: Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Margaret Lockwood, Will Fyflfe. Producer and Director: Frank Lloyd. Story Idea: Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., helps Will Fyffe build the first engine used for the first crossing of the Atlantic by steam power. Fyffe has every known setback, but he finally proves the worth of his invention. He sacrifices his life doing it, leaving Fairbanks and Margaret Lockwood, his daughter, to find happiness together. Catchline: "Historical epic of the first Atlantic crossing by steam power." IN OLD CALIFORNIA Univ Drama Not Set NIGHT WORK Para Aug. 4 Comedy Selling Names: Charlie Ruggles, Mary Boland. Donald O'Connor Billy Lee. Director: George Archainbaud. Assoc. Producer: William H. Wright. Selling Names: Richard Arlen, Andy Devine, Constance Moore, Noah Beery. Director: Christy Cabanne. Assoc. Producer: Ben Pivar. Story Idea: Richard Arlen is sent to investigate the slave-running between the Hawaiian Islands and California in 1840. He stows away aboard Noah Beery's ship "Black Hawk" and finds two hundred halfstarved slaves in the hold. With Andy De Racketeers of the Range (Continued from page 9) think that will eliminate all the inconsistencies. The way these fellows start up trains without knowing if another train is coming the other way and the way they race and beat trains is a real caution. You've never seen the like of it. But it isn't as hokey as lots of Westerns and it will certainly please the action loving crowd, for it doesn't stand still a minute. Sell it in the usual Western style with ten gallon hats, lariats, and other cowboy equipment in the lobby and a mounted cowboy riding through the streets for a ballyhoo. Catchline: "A rip-roaring adventure of the West of today." (FAMILY) Cracie Allen Murder Case (Hollywood Preview) Para. Mystery-Comedy 75 mins. Cracie Allen At Her "Craciest" Is Swell Entertainment; Should Do Good Business (National Release Date, June 2) Cast: Gracie Allen, Warren William, Ellen Drew, Kent Taylor, Jed Prouty, Jerome Cowan, Donald MacBride, H. B. Warner, William Demarest, Horace MacMahon and others. Based on the novel by S. S. Van Dine. Screenplay by Nat Perrin. Directed by Alfred E. Green. Produced by George Arthur. Plot: Gracie Allen tries to help Warren William solve the mystery of two murders, both victims having been killed by a mysterious drug. Kent Taylor, a tester in a perfume factory, is held for the murders, because of Grade's silly remarks and even William, the detective, becomes a suspect because of her help. A poisoned cigarette, which had been thrown into Grade's lap, while at a picnic, becomes the important clue, which Gracie in her zany manner withholds as a souvenir until it almost kills William — but everything is straightened out in time and the villain is captured in spite t)f Grade's help. SUMMARY: What a thrill this picture will be for the many Gracie Allen fans, because here's a Gracie at her "Graciest". Even those who don't particularly care for her type of antics, will be forced to enjoy this screwball comedy with a swell mystery angle. It is riotous with laughs and many hilarious situations which have been skilfully timed and well directed by Alfred E. Green. Gracie will unquestionably increase her large following with her swell trouping and Warren William, Ellen Drew, William Demarest all fit in well with the plot and handle their roles effectively. George Arthur's production is a creditable job with an eye toward entertainment values. Run a "perfect screwball contest" with newspaper cooperation, and offer free tickets to the "zaniest" remarks credited to Gracie Allen. Make use of her tremendous radio following and arrange a plug for the picture in advance of her Friday night radio program. OUTSTANDING: Gracie Allen and Alfred E. Green's direction. Catchline: "Gracie solves a murder . . . in spite of herself." ^FAMILY) vine's help, he leads the slaves and sailors in mutiny and when the ship reaches the coast, brings Beery in in chains. Catchline: "Contested California raises the American flag for the first time." CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Ten cents per word. No charge for name and address. Five insertions for the price of three. Money order or check with copy. Classified ads will appear as soon as received unless otherwise instructed. Address, Classified Dept., SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, 1501 Broadway, New York City. BOOKS SYSTEMATIZING THEATRE OPERATION, a condensed, easy-to-read book containing every important phase of theatre operation. Written by "Chick" Lewis. Sent postpaid upon receipt of $1.00 in cash, check or money order. Address, Showmen's Trade Review, 1501 Broadway, New York City. BUSINESS STIMULANTS THEATRE OWNERS. Don't be a sucker and pay royalties on any theatre game — Play Double Bingo — and buy the cards as you want them — You will increase your business 25% to 50% — They cost you $1.25 a thousand — It's like Keno, Screeno, Tango. The big difference is a double card. World Wide Theatrical Agency, 148 Leavenworth St., San Francisco, Calif. SEAT REPAIR MATERIAL ~ ARTIFICIAL LEATHER MOLESKIN 81c per yard; Sateen 60c yd. Six seats from two yards. Samples on request. Comniercialeather, 116 Merimac St., Boston. SOUND & PROJECTION SERVICES" $3 BRINGS YOU INSTRUCTIONS on servicing your sound and projection equipment for entire year! Ihis service includes "How to Service" your complete sound equipment, amplifier, soundheads, speakers, etc. ; "How to service and repair your projectors, intermittent movements. Arc Lamps," etc. ; and additional service pages during the \ear ; free consulting service; also loose-leaf binder for service sheets ; film for setting lenses ; book on tubes. Written and illustrated in simple, easy to understand words. — You need this service even if you have service, — more so if you don't have service. — Send me complete details, tubes, make, etc.; projectors, lamps, make, WESLEY TROUT, Consulting Engineer, Box 575, ENID, OKLAHOMA. THEATRES WANTED ~ WANTED TO BUY THEATRES IN VIRGINIA, West Virginia or North Carolina in towns of less than 5,000. I. F. LOFTUS. BRANDY, VA. USED EQUIPMENT NO MATTER wliat you have to sell a classified ad in STR will reach a wide volume of potential buyers at a cost too small to be considered an expense. STR classified ads are read because many who have used this medium expressed their satisfaction of the results they secured. Let us do the same for you. The cost is only 10c per word, five insertions for the price of three. Address, Classified Dept., Showmen's Trade Review, 1501 Broadway, New York City.