Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

Page 14 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW June J, 1939 Tarzan Finds a Son ( Hollywood Previczv) MGM Drama 81 mins. Best of All Tarzans To Date Should Have Satisfactory Draw At Boxoffice (National Release Date, June 16) Cast: Johnny Weissmuller, Maureen O'Sullivan, John Sheffield, Ian Hunter, Henry Stephenson, Frieda Inescort, Henry Wilcoxon and others. Screenplay by Cyril Hume, based on the characters created by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Directed by Richard Thorpe. Produced by Sam Zimbalist. Plot: Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan find a baby in an airplane crash. All goes well until John Sheffield, the baby, reaches the age of 5 and relatives of his dead parents arrive, trying to establish the death of the parents and child, so that they may inherit. They win Maureen over and she agrees to let John go back with them, but through Henry Stephenson, John's grandfather, Maureen finds out in time just how designing the relatives are and the day is saved by Tarzan. SUMMARY: The addition of a son to the Tarzan menage, plus some new ingredients that have been injected into the story, makes this film the kind of entertainment that should be enjoyed by young and old. It is the most amusing of the series to date and with the heart interest created by the mother, father and son angle, should have a very satisfactory draw at the boxoffice. Johnny Weissmuller is first-rate as Tarzan and Maureen O'Sullivan is convincingly effective as his mate. The youngster, little John Sheffield, who handles his first role like a veteran, is very appealing and runs •Weissmuller a close second with his swimming and other athletic feats. The balance of the cast is splendid. The picture is well presented under the adept guidance of Director Richard Thorpe and Producer Sam Zimbalist. Dress the lobby as a jungle, with live "savages" and monkeys. Arrange window display with local sports-goods store, tieing up writh bathing suits, etc. Inexpensive book marks advertising the attraction could be distributed to public and lending libraries. OUTSTANDING: John Sheffield and Richard Thorpe's direction. Catchline: "Tarzan and boy ... a great combination." (FAMILY) Young Mr. Lincoln (Springfield, III., Premiere) 20th-Fox Drama 101 mins. Broadly Human Portrait of Lincoln's Eventful Youth Holds Genuine Appeal (National Release Date, June 9) Cast: Henry Fonda, Alice Brady, Marjorie Weaver, Arleen Whelan, Eddie Collins, Pauline Moore, Richard Cromwell, Donald Meek, Judith Dickens, Eddie Quillan and others. Original screen play by Lamar Trotti. A Cosmopolitan production directed by John Ford. Plot: Abe Lincoln, gangling, homely but popular storekeeper of New Salem takes leave of his neighbors to practice law in Springfield, where he soon becomes the LEGION OF DECENCY RATINGS: (For Week Ending June 3) SUITABLE FOR GENERAL PATRONAGE Three Texas Steers Young Mr. Lincoln SUITABLE FOR ADULTS ONLY 6,000 Enemies OBJECTIONABLE IN PARTS The Ware Case political opponent of the powerful Stephen A. Douglas. The two also are rivals for the favor of Mary Todd, charming but very ambitious. Lincoln and Douglas are pitted against each other at a murder trial — Lincoln defending and Douglas prosecuting. Abe seems bungling, the case for his client appearing hopeless until suddenly, dramatically and brilliantly Lincoln break's down the storjr of an "eye witness" against the defendant by proving that the moon had set a quarter hour before the brawl at which the witness said moonlight aided him in seeing the defendant kill the victim. This victorv completely wins the admiration of Marv Todd. SUMMARY: A broadly human portrait of the Abraham Lincoln whose early contacts with his fellow men molded a character held in great affection by Americans makes this picture of genuine appeal to Americans today. Henry Fonda gives an outstanding characterization. Alice Brady is also excellent in the role of a mother whose sons are accused of murder. The courtroom scenes introduce a powerful blending of sheer drama and boisterous humor of the typical Lincoln quality. It is not history, but splendid histrionics, and makes a feature of certain appeal to all classes, beautifully produced and directed. This is a moving drama of a great character and can be sold to the public for big box office results. Your exploitation should consist of a lobby display of the log cabin era, and homespun atmosphere of the 1830's — soliciting local collectors to lend items. Patriotic groups, lawyers, historical societies should be enlisted to carry on a campaign by personal letters and endorsements. Library cooperation on Lincoln biographies and historical novels of his life. Book-store tie-ups, street ballyhoo of raw-boned rail-splitter or "covered wagon"; sell it as the true but little known story of the youth of Lincoln. OUTSTANDING: The Fonda characterization particularly will create extensive and enthusiastic publicity. Catchline: "Now! — the exciting true story of Abe Lincoln's eventful youth." (FAMILY) Charlie Chan in Reno (Hollyiijood Preview) 20th-Fox Mystery 68 mins. Newest Chan Film Should Boost This High Rating Series As Audience Attraction (National Release Date, June 16) Cast: Sidney Toler, Ricardo Cortez, Phyllis Brooks, Slim Summerville, Sen Yung and others. Screenplay by Frances Hyland, Albert Ray and Robert E. Kent, from original story by Philip Wylie. Directed by Norman Foster. Associate Producer, John Stone. Plot: Charlie Chan accompanies his friend Kane Richmond from Honolulu to Reno where Pauline Moore, wife of the latter, has gone for a divorce but has been accused of the murder of Louise Henry. Louise had let everyone believe she was to marry Richmond when his wife freed him. With the help and sometimes hindrance of his number two son. Sen Yung, the Reno Sheriff, Slim Sunmierville, and a pretty Chinese maid in waiting to the murdered woman. Iris Wong, Charlie finallj^ gets a confession from the murderer. SUMMARY: With a grand screenplay and the best supporting cast to be seen so far in this series, this one will not only please the big Chan following but also draw again as many to the box office for this is really a finely produced diverting and suspenseful serio-comic mystery. Sidney Toler now stands on his own feet as Chan, and will probably make the Oland fans clamor for more of him as the lovable Oriental detective. Neat comedy bits are turned in by Shm Summerville, Eddie Collins and the new son who wants to follow in his "Pop's footsteps". Sen Yung, while swell jobs are turned in by Ricardo Cortez as the heavy doctor and his inamorata, the lovely Phyllis Brooks. In his best directorial stint to date. Norman Foster gets a lot of action, interest and suspense right up to the last minute from the excellent screenplay, while the associate producer, John Stone, shows a master's hand in the spending of his exchecquer on the production. Make tieups with Honolulu resort agencies. Dress lobby as old time dance hall with staff in Western attire and use the Reno slogan plentifully "The Biggest Little Town In The World." OUTSTANDING: Sidney Toler, screenplay and direction. Catc hline: "Chan goes to Reno to mend a broken heart — and succeeds." (FAMILY) 6,000 Enemies (hlollywood Preview) MGM Drama 60 mins. Action Drama Of Prison Life Suitable On Bill With Light Companion Feature (National Release Date, June 9) Cast: Walter Pidgeon, Rita Johnson, Paul Kelly, Nat Pendleton, Harold Huber, Grant Mitchell, J. M. Ferrigan and others. Based upon a story by Wilmon Menard and Leo L. Stanley. Screenplay by Bertram Millhauser. Directed by George B. Seitz. Produced by Lucien Hubbard. Plot: Walter Pidgeon, an ambitious prosecutor, who has been sending men and women to prison, is himself railroaded and sent to the big house. Placed in the midst of hundreds of his own victims, they try to "get" him but only succeed in having him sent to "solitary" confinement. When he comes out, he finds himself entered in a bout with one of the nien, and he wins the sympathy of the entire lot with the way he takes his beating. When released from prison, he helps Rita Johnson, a young lady he had sent up, prove her innocence. SUMMARY: Here's a picture for the fans who want real melodrama. A story of prison life ■>.ith loads of action and suspense, it For Additional Exploitation Ideas on These Pictures Consult the Encyclopedia of Exploitation — See Page 26