Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1940)

SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW October 12, 1940 Power and the Land (Excellent Documentary Film) RKO Radio 36 mins. Produced for the Rural Electrification Administration, this documentary film is one of the finest and most impressive yet produced. It singles out the Parkinson family in Ohio, follows them as they do their various chores on an old-fashioned non-electrified farm. One day the farmers get together, discuss the imperative need of electricity, and having heard of the REA, decide to investigate. Following a meeting in the schoolhouse at which the REA plan is explained, the group organizes a cooperative unit to bring power to their farms. Construction begins after REA funds are borrowed. The narrator points out that there are no private investors, no profit-making, that power is sold at cost, and that when the cooperative is paid back through the electricity sold, the community will own its own electric system. Again the Parkinsons are shown doing their chores, but this time the work is much easier because of the available power. The subject has been accorded excellent production treatment, with the direction of Joris Ivens, the photography and highly effective musical score and narration combining to make a film that holds one's undivided attention throughout. It will be distributed gratis to exhibitors throughout the country by RKO Radio. Going Places No. 82 fGoodJ Univ. (5352) Going Places 10 mins. It's a little too late for vacationists to go to Sun Valley, Idaho, for their vacation this year, except in a few cases; but this subject is a good advertisement for next season's prospects. It shows the activities and strange sights that greet those who visit the Idaho resort. Graham McNamee's comment adds interest to the reel, which was produced by Joseph O'Brien and Thomas Mead. Arrange tieups with travel agencies, and conduct a photographic contest for best amateur photographs of the West. Stranger Than Fiction No, 82 MverageJ Univ. (5372) Stranger Than Fiction 9 mins. In labeling this subject "average," _ we are taking into account, of course, that this series as a whole is consistently good, that this one keeps up the record. A tour of the ancient Adams residence in Quincy, Mass., where once lived John Adams and his son, John Quincy Adams, is perhaps the highlight of the reel, although there are other items almost equally as interesting. Joseph O'Brien and Thomas Mead produced. Feature the items in your outin-front advertising. Going Places No. 83 (Interesting) Univ. (5353) Going Places 10 mins. Scenic Arizona is the subject of this issue, which shows the buildings and shrines of Tucson, students on a "cactus frolic," students who dig for relics, a sight-seeing trip into Mexico and other interesting scenes, particularly one showing the freak rock formations created by Nature. The photography is beautiful. Produced by Joseph O'Brien and Thomas Mead, this subject should be mentioned in your newspaper ads, in the lobby and on the marquee. Stranger Than Fiction No. 83 Mverage) Univ. (5373) Stranger Than Fiction 9 mins. A woman who makes dolls out of egg shells, a lady log roller, a woman who collects pitchers of every shape and description, small naturally formed stone crosses found in Virginia, Indiana blow guns — these comprise the subject matter of the latest issue in this series produced by Joseph O'Brien and Thomas Mead. It is_ an entertaining reel that can be suitably fitted into any program. Through your newspaper, appeal for examples of unusual hobbies and have them displayed in your lobby. NEWSREEL SYNOPSES . . (Released Saturday, October 12) PARAMOUNT (No. 13) — Gen. Huntziger takes over French army command; J. Edgar Hoover sees Reservists for G-Men graduate; U. S. Army parachute troops at Ft. Benning, Ga.; Food vending machines installed at Bronx Zoo; Roosevelt on defense tour; Willkie raps Hague in Jersey stronghold; Prohibitionist Babson speaks in Boston; Communist Browder states his views; Socialist Thomas asks voters' support; Cincinnati wins World Series. MOVIETONE (Vol. 23, No. 10)— Scenes of Burma Road; Italians capture Sidi Barrami; Ex-King Carol with Madame Lupescu in Spain; G-Men at target practice in Virginia; Marines leave Norfolk for West Indies; U. S. trains parachute troops at Ft. Benning, Ga.; Film fashions; Cincinnati wins World Series; Football, Army vs. Williams; Chimpanzees play. PATHE (Vol. 12, No. 13) — Willkie raps Hague in Jersey stronghold; G-Men at target practice in Virginia; U. S. trains parachute troops at Ft. Benning, Ga. ; Auto race at New York World's Fair; Football, Ohio State vs. Purdue; Cincinnati wins World Series. UNIVERSAL (Vol. 12, No. 918) — Roosevelt inspects army arsenal at Watervliet, N. Y. ; Willkie hailed at Jersey City, stronghold of Mayor Hague, and is also welcomed in Manhattan; Italians invade Egypt; Latin-American heads see U. S. train parachute troops at Ft. Benning, Ga. ; Marines leave Norfolk, Va., for duty in the West Indies; Veiled ProDhet parade attracts huge throngs at St. Louis, Mo. ; Fashion show; Cincinnati wins World Series. NEWS OF THE DAY (Vol. 12, No. 208)— U. S. trains parachute troops at Ft. Benning, Ga., as LatinAmerican heads look on; G-Men stage spectacular target drill in interests of U. S. defense; Italians begin drive on Suez; Willkie invades New Deal strongholds; Roosevelt visits army arsenal at Watervliet, N. Y. ; Cincinnati wins World Series; Auto race at New York World's Fair; Football, Princeton vs. Vanderbilt. (Released Wednesday, October 9) PARAMOUNT (No. 12)— Army tests "gnat tank"; British children arrive in U. S.; Willkie on campaign tour; Roosevelt dedicates new schools; Latest war pictures from England; Football, Michigan vs. Michigan State; Notre Dame vs. College of Pacific. MOVIETONE (Vol. 23, No. 9) — Business as usual in England after bombings; Roosevelt dedicates new schools; Willkie gives stand on Labor issue; Ruby Mercer in lion's den (except Los Angeles, Portland, Ore., Albany, Buffalo, Atlanta, Memphis, Charlotte and San Francisco) ; Knox confers with Naval chiefs (except San Francisco) ; Luxembourg grand duchess here (except San Francisco) ; World Series highlights; Football, Cornell vs. Colgate (Buffalo and Albany only); Tennessee vs. Duke (Atlanta, Memphis and Charlotte only) ; Southern California vs. Oregon State (Los Angeles and Portland only) ; Santa Clara vs. Stanford (San Francisco only). NEWS OF THE DAY (Vol. 12, No. 207)— RAF intensifies attacks on German bases; London carries on despite raids; Churchill tours Thames waterfront; Wells discusses war; Roosevelt dedicates new schools; Willkie talks on U. S. security; World Series highlights; Football, Cornell vs. Colgate (Albany, Boston, Buffalo and New Haven only) ; Tennessee vs. Duke (except Albany, Boston. Buffalo and New Haven) ; Southern California vs. Oregon State. PATHE (Vol. 12, No. 12)— London holes in; Wells discusses war; Ex-U. S. destroyers reach England; Willkie states stand on Labor; West Pointers learn skeet shooting; Football, Tennessee vs. Duke (Atlanta, Charlotte, Memphis and New Orleans only) ; Cornell vs. Colgate. UNIVERSAL (Vol. 12. No. 917)— Roosevelt dedicates new schools; Willkie pledges help to Labor; London digs out after raid; Ex-U. S. destroyers reach England; Survivors of U-boat sinking safe; "Knute Rockne" premiere at South Bend; Army tests "gnat tank"; Luxembourg grand duchess here; Football. Tennessee vs. Duke; Notre Dame vs. College of Pacific ; World Series highlights. Bowling for Strikes (Great for Bowlers) 20th-Fox (1303) Sports Review No. 3 10 mins. Championship bowling is the theme of this sports reel, and Ed Thorgersen's fast and interesting narration makes a strike seem absurdly simple when performed by an expert. Bowling is supposed to have twelve million addicts so there is a potential audience of that size eagerly awaiting this subject. Even nonbowlers will find it interesting as. the experts guide their balls unerringly down the polished alleys. One trick, knocking over 40 balls on two alleys is something to see. A couple of very young kids, five and eight years old respectively, are also shown to be very adept at the ancient game. Midget Motor Mania (Unusual) 20th-Fox (1201) News Cameraman No. I 10 mins. Midget racers of all sizes and varieties are shown in this one. First and most interesting are the real midgets which go 71 miles an hour, use about an ounce of gasoline (fed by a dropper) for an entire race and go scooting at a remarkable pace. The junior midgets (kids) are shown next, and after them come the standard sized midgets with cars doing up to 136 miles an hour. There are plenty of thrills in the skids on dirt tracks, including more hair-raising incidents than have ever been pictured before. This subject was produced by Truman Talley, edited by Lew Lehr and described by Paul Douglas. How Wet Was My Ocean ( Excellent ) 20th-Fox (1553) Terrytoon in Tech. No. 3 7 mins. The pig is the hero of this and it is laugh provoking how he carefully edges his way_ to the ocean and finding it too cold pours boiling water into it. But he swims along gaily until he interferes with the cat fishing. For the rest of the reel that's all he does. One of the most original stunts is having the pig turn various colors to show his feelings, such as blue for cold, red for embarrassment and yellow for fear. Acquitted by the Sea (Excellent! 20th-Fox (1601) Believe It Or Not No. I 10 mins. This is the first of a series of Ripley's subjects which will replace the Fashion Forecasts on the 20th-Fox program. It is an interesting dramatic reel with Ripley as narrator in part of it. A young bank clerk in 1904 is accused of stealing a large sum. He goes to prison and on his release goes to his old boss. The boss lends him the money to go to England, suggesting a fresh start. He fails and is deported on the Titanic. When the ship strikes an iceberg, he jumps into a boat and helps rescue the former boss. The latter confesses he is the real thief. It is a good subject to round out a program with a light feature. Earl Allvine directed and Lew Lehr supervised. A Class in Swing (Good Variety) Univ. (5221) Musical No. I 16 mins. Although this has many of the routines used in past Universal Musicals (acrobats, tap dancers, vocalists, etc.), it nevertheless turns out to be livelier entertainment than the others have been. This may be due to the setting and characters — a college classroom and a group of swing-mad students. Peter Lind Hayes gives (Continued on page 38)