Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1940)

October 12, 1940 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW Page 13 friend, Gus Dorais (Davis, Jr.) perfect a forward pass which startles the football world when Notre Dame decisively beats Army. Graduated with honors, Rockne marries Bonnie Skiles (Gale Page). Later, he accepts the job of football coach, develops the famous player, George Gipp (Reagan). But Gipp dies, and Rockne carries on with the Four Horsemen When college football is attacked, Rockne appears before an investigating committee, where his dramatic defense wins public acclaim. With his family, he vacations in Florida gets a business call from California. He goes there by plane, is killed when the plane crashes. , Comment: In bringing to the screen the life story of Knute Rockne, Warner Brothers has turned out one of the year's most outstanding productions— warm, human entertainment for everybody. Scheduled for release at the height of the football season, it should draw heavily ; but it is much more than just a football filmit is a stirring and profoundly impressive tribute to a great American. Never before has Pat O'Brien given such a spirited and sincere portrayal. With skillful makeup and the submergence of his own personality, he virtually lives the role of the great Rock. It is a characterization worthy of strong consideration when "best acting" honors are conferred While other performances pale in comparison to O'Brien's, they are nevertheless noteworthy, the most important being contributed by Gale Page, Ronald Reagan, Donald Crisp and Albert Basserman. We cannot recommend "Knute Rockne— All American too highly; it is a memorable triumph for all who were associated with it and a picture all types of theatregoers will take to their hearts. Although a "natural" for the football season, the story of "Rock" should have a definite appeal at any time, and backed by a comprehensive promotional sampaign that brings civic organizations and the schools into play, should score heavily at the box office. Catchline: "A great picture about a great American." as the killer of Holt's father. McTaggart shoots Clark, thinking he is Holt, and the train gets through to the food-short post. Holt arranges to sell his train and become the new post operator, with Martha as his partner. Comment: Here is another action filled story for those days when younger patrons make up the bulk of the audience, and the use of Holt is a move to attract those in the romantic 'teens through introducing a hero more likely to interest young women than some of the older western stars. It will also serve as counterbalance for a more wordy dramatic feature. While production values lack the same care which marks the same company's George O'Brien's, and a shorter budget is evidenced, it still should interest more action fans than not. As for camera work, and the outdoor locations, none of the season's westerns have any more impressive scenic values to offer than this one. Use of a covered wagon, with or without attending riders, is the natural exploitation suggested for this picture. If there are houses in your city which feature Indian curios, arrange for a window display of goodluck charms and use a poster to tie these in with the fact that such an ornament saved the life of the heroine in your picture. An oldtime band on truck playing the music of the early days square dances might be used before the theatre on the opening night, with your pioneer societies attending in a body. Catchline: "He battles the West's early day business racketeers." 62 mins. Bracken, Desi Arnaz, Hal LeRoy, Libby Bennett, Ivy Scott and Byron Shores. Of the picture personalities, Lucille Ball, Richard Carlson, Ann Miller and Frances Langford are the best known. Outstanding of the entire group are Bracken, Miss Ball, Carlson and Arnaz, while the others have much too little to do. The scintillating music of Rodgers and Hart and the dance numbers, staged by LeRoy Prinz, are highlights of the production. Title is a natural for teaser ads. Windows should be arranged with stores selling sheet music and records. Get the cooperation of the editors of college papers for advance plugs. Catchiine: "An outstanding Broadway musical brought to the screen." Wagon Train (Hollywood Preview) RKO-Radio Western (Prod. No. 181— Nat'l Release, Oct. 4) AUDIENCE SLANT: (FAMILY) ONE FOR THE ACTION FANS. BOX OFFICE SLANT: AVERAGE, UNLESS BACKED BY SMART EXPLOITATION. Cast: Tim Holt, Ray Whitley, Emmett Lynn, Martha O'Driscoll, Malcolm McTaggart, Clitt <--lark. Ellen Lowe, Wade Crosby, Ethan Laidlaw, Monte Montague, Carl Stockdale, Bruce Dane, Glenn Strange, Lloyd Ingraham, Martin Gaggalaga, Budd Osborne, Tom London, others. Credits: Director, Edward Killy Producer, Bert Kilroy. Screenplay by Morton Grant, from Bernard McConville's story. Director of photography, Harry Wild. Film editors, Frederic. Knudtson and Harry Marker. Musical score, Paul Sawtell. Plot: Tim Holt, wagon train operator, is carrying on the business started by his father, and continually seeking the former partner whom he believes killed his parent. He meets Martha O'Driscoll and is attracted to the girl, not knowing she is the fiance of Malcolm McTaggart, son of Cliff Clark, largest owner of trading posts in the West. Clark is behind the outlaws who are wiping out independent train owners, and has Holt marked for his next victim. He and McTaggart meet Martha's stage at a water station. Holt catches up to tell them of an Indian raid ahead, and to offer the protection of his train. He leaves the girl an Indian charm, he and McTaggart each ride off after the latter objects to the warmth of the girl's greeting to Holt. Indians massacre all but Martha and Clark, whom Holt later rescues. Another train owner asks Holt to take his baby through to the post. Ellen Lowe, spinster with marriage ambitions aimed at Holt's friend, Emmett Lynn, goes along to care for it. This causes Monte Montague, planted as Holt's wagon boss by Clark, to refuse to aid the wiping out of Holt's train, so he and Clark quarrel. Shot, Montague exposes Clark Too Many Girls (Hollywood Preview) RKO-Radio Musical-Comedy 85 mins. (Prod. No. 106, Nat'l Release, Oct. 11) AUDIENCE SLANT: (FAMILY) SOCK ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE YOUTH OF THE NATION. BOX OFFICE SLANT: ONE OF THE FASTEST AND BREEZIEST MUSICALS EVER MADE. SHOULD BE A BIG HIT AT THE TICKET WINDOWS. Cast: Lucille Ball, Richard Carlson, Ann Miller, Eddie Bracken, Frances Langford, Desi Arnaz, Hal LeRoy, Libby Bennett, Harry Shannon, Douglas Walton, Chester Clute, Tiny Person, Ivy Scott, Byron Shores. Credits: Produced and directed by George Abbott. Screenplay by John Twist. From the musical play "Too Many Girls" and the book by George Marion, Jr. Director of photography, Frank Redman. Edited by William Hamilton. Art director, Van Nest Polglase. Dance Numbers staged by LeRoy Prinz. Music by Richard Rodgers. Lyrics by Lorenz Hart. Executive producer, Harry E. Edington. Plot: Richard Carlson, Eddie Bracken, Desi Arnaz and Hal LeRoy, flash football stars, are engaged by Harry Shannon, wealthy capitalist, to watch his madcap daughter, Lucille Ball, and keep her out of escapades and romantic entanglements during her sojourn at Pottawatomie College. The boys sign a contract which incorporates an "anti-romantic" clause and decrees that they maintain a strictly "handsoff" policy as regards their charge. They get mixed up in football and start winning games, something the college has never experienced before. The dav of their big game, Lucille wires her dad and finds out that the boys were hired to snoop into her affairs. She indignantly denounces them, and insists that they leave for New York with her. When word spreads that they are going to ditch the game, a sheriff's posse gives chase and returns them in time for victory. Comment: Here's sock entertainment for the youth of the nation, as well as their parents. It's one of the fastest and breeziest musicals ever made, and should be as big a hit at the ticket windows, as it was on Broadway. The -ast is good and although none of the names have any particular marquee strength, their work will be remembered and enjoyed. While Producer-Director George Abbott's style is reminiscent of the first musicals, the freshness of the cast and the staging of the numbers are so excellent that one doesn't notice the song interruptions. Portraying the same roles they essayed in the stage production are Eddie Father Is a Prince Warner Bros. Comedy 62 mins. (Prod. No. not set, Nat'l Release, Oct. 12) AUDIENCE SLANT: (FAMILY) OKAY AS SECOND FEATURE FOR THE FAMILY TRADE. BOX OFFICE SLANT: POOR. Cast: Jan Clayton, Grant Mitchell, Nana Bryant, Lee Patrick, John Litel, Frank Mayo, Peter Ashley, Richard Clayton, Vera Lewis. Billy Dawson Pierre Watkin, Jack Mower, John Ridgely, Frank Wilcox, Creighton Hale, Hope Landon, Freddy W alburn. May Currier, Frank Orth. Credits: Associate producer, William Jacobs. Directed by Noel Smith. Screenplay by Robert Kent from a play by Sophie Kerr and Anna S. Richardson. Director of photography, Ted McCord. Art director, Charles Novi. Film editor, Frank Magee. .... Plot: Mitchell is an irascible, irritable man, penny-wise all the time and poundfoolish most of it. His whole life revolves about his carpet sweeper business. When Jan Clayton, his daughter, becomes engaged to the son of a vacuum cleaner manufacturer, he makes a terrible scene. His wife threatens to leave him and then collapses. She lies at death's door and he changes entirely on her recovery. Comment: This is just another little family picture. The story may appeal to some small town family audiences but at best it's a poor second feature. Lack of names, uninspired direction, a tendency to exaggerate and a plot which is too obviously transparent all militate against it. None of the actors is able to rise above the mediocre material. There are a few chuckles in it but they are too widely spaced to be effective. Sell it as family type entertainment aimed at mother, father, junior and sister. Catchline: "He was always penny-wise and most of the time pound-foolish." Drums of the Desert (Hollywood Preview) Monogram Drama 64 mins. (Prod. No. 4011, Nat'l Release, Oct. 7) AUDIENCE SLANT: (FAMILY) ANY TYPE OF AUDIENCE WILL DELIGHT IN IT. BOX OFFICE SLANT: GOOD ENTERTAINMENT FOR ANY SPOT WITH ADDITIONAL APPEAL FOR HOUSES CATERING TO THE COLORED TRADE. BETTER THAN AVERAGE PROGRAM FARE. Cast: Ralph Byrd, Lorna Gray, Mantan Moreland, Peter George Lynn, William Castello, Jean Del-Val, Ann Codee, Boyd Irwin, Neyle Marx, Albert Morin, Charles Townsend, Jack Chafe, John Stark, Bud Harris. Credits: Directed by George Waggner. Original story by John T. Neville. Screenplay by Dorothy Reid and Joseph West. Photographed by Fred Jackman, Jr. Film editor, William Fox. Produced by Paul Malvern. Plot: On his way to Morocco as a special advisor of the new parachute troops of the French Foreign Legion, Ralph Byrd falls in love with Lorna Gray. Their romance ends when he discovers she is the fiance of his best friend and fellow officer, Peter George Lynn. When their post is attacked by Arabs, Byrd saves Lynn's life, and captures the leader of the revolt. Later Lorna and Byrd are captured by William Castello, head of the band who is (Continued on page 26)