Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1942)

36 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW October 3, 1942 A Letter From Bataan* (Impress'iYe) Paramount Victory Short 15 mins. Fighting in Bataan, Richard Arlen is injured by a Japanese bomb when night blindness overtakes him while firing at the enemy. Back in America, his relatives and sweetheart receive a letter from him in which he appeals for the conservation of rubber, the salvag^ing of metal and other sacrifices necessary for the winning of the war. He also stresses nutrition, for a lack of vegetables in his diet had caused night blindness. Besides Arlen, others in the cast include Susan Hayward, Jimmy Lydon, Joe Sawyer, Janet Beecher, Keith Richards, Esther Dale and Will Wright. An excellent screenplay by Maxwell Shane, as well as the capable direction of William H. Pine and the high production values accorded the subject by William C. Thomas, have made what might otherwise have been a technically dry treatise on the necessity of saving and sacrificing an impressive and convincing appeal that drives itself home to the heart of the spectator. The Big Build-up* 20th-Fox (3501) Terry-Toons (Filler) 7 mins. The title refers to the introduction, by a radio commentator, of a dog which he says "you will find both sympathetic and lovable, brave and fearless," or words to that efifect. When the dog hears unexpected noises, as of a door squeaking, or sees a playful kitten prance into view, however, he proves to be anything but brave and fearless. The jitters he gets at the least unexpected sound or sight are exploited for whatever fun the basic idea contains. oweeney Steps Out' Produced last year by Film Associates under the title, "Adventure in the Bronx," this subject, which has been acquired by Warner Bros, for distribution, was reviewed under its original title in STR, Aug. 23, 1941. What STR's reviewer said at that time (. . . "the story of the little boy who wanders into the zoo, encounters many animals, loses his toy elephant and his courage, only to recover both in the end, has considerable charm and appeal . . .") still goes after a second viewing of the film. Michael O'Donnell is the little boy, and the narrator is John Kicran. Running 11 minutes, the subject is the first (8301) in Warners' new season series of Hollywood Novelties. preceded it. Vulture Hitler, Gorilla Mussolini and Hyena Hirohito seek to dominate the little animals of the forest. At first stunned by the cruelty of the beasts, the united animals join in plaguing the dictators. Their V signal crops up everywhere, eventually destroys the tyrants. The \"-for-Victory theme from Beethoven's Fifth Symphony provides the musical background for this cartoon, which was produced by Dave Fleischer. Song of Victory'' (Fair) Col. (4501) Color Rhapsody No. 1 8 mins. Had this Technicolor cartoon been the first to utilize present war-time conditions for its theme, it might have been excellent. Coming as it does, however, after others with similar themes, it serves only as a fair addition to those topical and satirical cartoons which have Argentine Horses (Entertainirtg) Vita. (7410) Sports Parade No. 10 10 mins. This is an on-the-scene reel of the breeding grounds and training methods that account for the quality race horses and polo ponies that come from the Argentine. Film is in Technicolor and shows the rigid training schedule set up for the pedigreed offspring of the cream of the racing and polo record holders. There is much to interest others than horse lovers in the scientific procedures that eventually lead a thoroughbred into the coveted ranks of big money winners. Del Frazier directed and Knox ^ilanning narrates. * Indicates 1942-43 Release . . NEWSREEL SYNOPSES ( Rclcasrd Saturday, October 3) MOVIETONE (Vol. 25, No. 8)— "We've lost everything except a smug sense of complacency," says Lieutenant General Brehon Somervell; U. S. Flying Fortresses sweep over Channel in raids on Europe; Yankees beat Cardinals in World Series opener; Scrap Drive starts. NEWS OF THE DAY (Vol. 14, No. 206)— U. S. Flying Fortresses sviJeep over Channel in raids on Europe; "We've lost everything except a smug sense of complacency," says Lieutenant General Brehon Somervell: Mayor LaGuardia appeals to New Yorkers to join the Scrap Parade. PATHE (Vol. 14, No. 11) — U. S. Flying Fortresses sweep over Channel in raids on Europe; Yankees beat Cardinals in World Series opener; Mayor LaGuardia appeals to New Yorkers to join the Scrap Parade (New York City only). UNIVERSAL (Vol. 15, No, 124)— U. S. Flying Fortresses sweep over Channel in raids on Europe; "We've lost everything but a smug sense of complacency," says Lieutenant General Brehon Somervell; Women harvest grapes; Plane flown to scrap drive; Yankees beat Cardinals in World Series opener. PARAMOUNT (No. 11) — Yankees beat Cardinals in World Series opener; U. S. Flying Fortresses sweep over English Channel in raids on Europe. (Released IVedncsday. September 30) MOVIETONE (Vol. 25, No. 7)— New aircraft carrier Lexington launched; Navy transport Wakefield burns at sea; Navy aid says we are losing war; Training rangers for war in Maryland; Ship workers pray for victory; Japanese submarine examined; New Guinea natives transport supplies to soldiers; Women guard air depot; WAVES in first review; Alice Birney Memorial unveiled (Atlanta only); Football: Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin. NEWS OF THE DAY (Vol. 14, No. 205)— New Guinea natives transport supplies to soldiers; New aircraft carrier Lexington launched; Navy transport Wakefield burns at sea : Train wreck near Dickerson, Md.; Ship workers pray for victory; Navy aid says we are losing war; Football: Minnesota vs. Pittsburgh (except Philadelphia and Atlanta — Tulane vs. Southern California — Georgia Cadets vs. Pennsylvania (Philadelphia and' Atlanta only). PARAMOUNT (No. 1 0)— Football : Tulane vs. Southern California — Minnesota vs. Pittsburgh; Train wreck near Dickerson, Md. ; Navy transport Wakefield burns at sea; New aircraft carrier Lexington launched: U. S. soldiers guard Caribbean; Soldiers train in hand-to-hand fighting; Navy aid says we are losing war. PATHE (Vol. 14, No. 10)— Ship workers pray for victory; Launching of ships, including new aircraft carrier Lexington; U. S. guards West Indies oil; Navy transport Wakefield burns at sea; Ranger troops in training; Train wreck near Dickerson. Md.; Football: Georgia Cadets vs. Pennsylvania — Tulane vs. Southern California. UNIVERSAL (Vol. 15, No. 123)— Navy aid says we are losing war; New aircraft carrier Lexington launched; Ship workers pray for victory; Train wreck near Dickerson, Md. ; Liberty Ship launched at Kaiser Shipyards; Ranger troops in training; Women guards display skill; New Guinea natives transport supplies to soldiers; U. S. guards oU in West Indies. We Refuse to Die* (Gripping) Paramount Victory Short 15 mins. Here is a subject that grips, that entertains, that projects a strong appeal to the spectator. With Ellen Drew and Barry Sullivan in the leading roles, it tells the dramatic and poignant story of the destroying of Lidice, Czechoslovakia, by the Nazis in reprisal for the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich. It concludes on the courageous premise that free people will arise once more, that the Germans will never stamp them out. Mere words won't do the subject justice; one must see it to appreciate its power. Director William H. Pine and Producer William C. Thomas have carried out their respective assignments magnificently, and the entire cast, including Lionel Royce, Henry Victor and Henry Rowland have endowed their roles with realism. Barry Sullivan's narration is deeply persuasive. The Greatest Gift (Inspiring) MGM (M-336) Miniatures No. 6 11 mins. The famous religious story illustrating the quotation : "Blessed are the humble for it is they who are privileged to see God," is handled impressively and entertainingly in this Carey Wilson subject. Action takes place in a monastery where a half-frozen juggler is rescued and makes his home through a winter among the religious men who are all engaged in making some piece of handiwork for tribute to the Blessed Virgin during spring ceremonies. The juggler, unable to create a fitting offering, is discouraged when he offers his Indian clubs and stands enthralled during the ceremony. At its close he humbly approaches the altar and performs his act and the monks fall to their knees when the statue of the Virgin appears to acknowledge the offering. Harold Daniels directed. At the Dog Show (Clever) Para. (Yl-5) Speaking of Animals No. 5 9 mins. \yith a dog show as the background, this subject gives the various entries a chance to >peak for themselves. The animation is so remarkable that the canines appear to have human qualities. Exhibitors who have been playing this series know what to expect ; those who haven't will be agreeably surprised and will find their patrons' reaction to the subjects one of hilarious laughter. Fairbanks and Carlisle proI hired. Beyond the Line of Duty* (Not to Be Missed) Vita. (8104) Bdwy. Brevities No. 4 20 mins. Let it be said here and now that "Beyond the Line of Duty" is one of the finest and most inspiring short subjects ever made. It is difficult to see how any real American, man or woman, can view it without being overcome with a surge of patriotic pride. Produced with the cooperation of the War Department, the subject features Captain Hewitt T. Wheless of the U. S. Army Air Forces, whose heroic exploits and those of his crew in one of the Army's flying fortresses in action over the PhilipiMnes were described by President Roosevelt in the opening remarks of a recent nation-wide radio speech. The President awarded the intrepid pilot the Distinguished Service Cross. In this subject. Captain Wheless re-enacts his training experience and thedramatic story of the flyingfortress crew which fought oft' 18 Japanese