Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1943)

October 9, 1943 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW 25 REGIONAL — Continued of the circuit. All district managers and partners are present, including Ken Leach of Calgary, who is partner with F-P in two Calgary theatres. "Spitfire" at the Capitol is featuring in its ads Gerry Wilmot, who used to be an announcer on Vancouver radio stations before leaving for England. The ads say "See and hear Gerry Wilmot." Picture going big. WASHINGTON Over 2U0 from the local and out-of-town trade jammed the Variety Club last Monday to pay tribute to Phil Bobys, celebrating his 30th year in tlie film industry. Phil entered pictures in August, 1913, breaking in with Sidney Lust's Super Film Company. Kings for the night were Harry Klein, Buck Stover and Harry bachman, with the committee for the event includmg also Joe Walsh, Paul Wall, Joe Young, Tom Baldridge, Harry Cohen, Gene Ford, Harry Anger, Joe Kronman, Johnny Allen, Fred Klein, Fred Kogod and Frank Boucher. It was gift week at the Metro exchange, with cashier Dot Pfiuger receiving a sweater, blouse and lingerie upon the occasion of passing another milestone late last month, and a few days later Catherine Murphy, MGM Pep Club prexy, was remembered on a similar occasion with a bag, pair of hose, blouse and powder. The gals still had some change, though, because last Monday they got together and presented Phil Bobys with a pair of colored pajamas. Seen along the row this week were William Parker of the Mecca Theater, Chase City, Va., Sam Mellitts of the Dentonia, Denton, Md., and Harry Pickett, who books for the Craver Circuit, Charlotte, N. C. Harry books in Washington for the circuit's Norfolk, Roanoke, Lynchburg and Danville houses. The Rome circuit's Leon Back and Bill Zell were over from Baltimore, and Jack Fruchtman, Monogram salesman until recently, was also a visitor. Jack won't tell what he's doing now. Also Sergt. Rick LaFalce, who used to be with brother Frank in the Warner's publicity department. Bob Folliard, RKO district manager, was down from Philly, meeting General Salesmanager Bob Mochrie and eastern ditto Nat Levy Monday p.m. Add Norma Yahrus, Helen Gingles and Ann Bullinger, all of MGM, to the sick list. Catherine Nelson returned this week after a bout with a bug. Esther Katzenell of RKO has also been bedded by a bug, with RKO branch manager Joe Brecheen staying on his feet, but sporting an unpleasant cold. Harry Brown, Monogram branch manager, was in New York last weekend, with Booker Gladys Murray in the big city this weekend. Holiday visitors to New York included RKO's Shirley Kessler and Esther Blendman, Rhoda Abrams and Vivian Kutner, of MGM. MGM's Tille Gosin visited her family in Philly over the weekend. Manager George Peters and organist Eddie Weaver made up their own war songs during a morning bond rally at Loew's Theatre, in Richmond. 'Twas a competition, but Eddie tactfully announced from the console that the applause indicated a deadlock. O'Brien to Attend Premiere World premiere of RKO's "The Iron Major," starring Pat O'Brien, who will appear in person at the opening and attendant festivities, has been set for October 26, in Boston, at the Keith's Memorial Theatre. A studio party, headed by Production Chief Charles W. Koerner, and including Producer Robert Fellows, will accompany O'Brien, leaving here by train October 22. The Underdog (^Continued from Page 11) achieves only the maudlin. The story and dialogue are clipped, so that speech is dull, and the story introduces threads vvliich start and stop, without ever going anywhere. The players struggle valiantly against the faults of the script but seldom surmount them. Exploitation can revolve around the dog angle, and cooperation will be sure from all Humane Societies, Dog Clubs, Dogs for Defense Clubs and other patriotic organizations. The phrase, "someone talked," has been given such wide publicity by the Government, that it can be given a big play in connection with the story. Teasers leading up to the movie house, or painted on signs attached to dogs wandering through the neighborhood or town would be effective for the youngster trade. Paris After Dark 20th Century-Fox Drama 86 mins. (Nat'l Release, Oct. 15) AUDIENCE SLANT: (Adult) Will entertain those members of the family who like their drama heavy . . . for this follows the pattern of other underground pictures, without the addition of any comedy to relieve the tragic happenings. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: Sufficient "name" draw to bring them in, and with some help, should do well, if you have the following for this type of fare. Cast: George Sanders, Philip Dorn, Brenda Marshall, Madeleine LeBeau, Marcel Dalio, Robert Lewis, Henry Rowland, Raymond Roe, Gene Gary, Jean Del Val, Curt Bois, Ann Codee, Louis Borell, John Wengref, Michael Visaroff, Frank Lyon. Credits; Directed by Leonide Moguy. Screenplay by Harold Buchman. Based on a story by George Kessel. Director of photography, Lucien Andriot. Produced by Andre Daven. Plot: A local underground movement in France, head of which is a doctor, an aristocrat held in high esteem and in the confidence of the Nazi Commandant, have been doing their share of resistance. One of the doctor's most valuable assistants is his nurse, whose husband has been a German prisoner for some months. When he returns, suffering an incurable illness, he gives himself up for the murder of the commandant, an act committed by his wife. Comment: Patterned after many previous underground picture plots, there's much good talent brought together here and enough name draw to help your bo.x-of¥lce. The film is short the quality to make it in class houses, but has the body to hold up a dual. George Sanders in the lead repeats his usually competent performance. Co-starring, Brenda Marshall and Philip Dorn help carry the story of the underground struggle and its dangers across to the audience. Perhaps because the script was ordinary, the work of the supporting players gives more background and color than that of the principal players. Madeline LeBeau, Marcel Dalio, Raymond Roe and Ann Codee, in prominent roles, give the picture sucli French feeling as it has. At times the film almost rises above the program class, but in general, and as a whole, it is drama to fill the time. Production and direction are satisfactory for this type of picture. Build your exploitation around the name draw of George Sanders, Brenda Marshall and Philip Dorn. Any stunt that clicked in a previous underground picture is good for this one. Cooperation of Free French Groups and other patriotic societies should be arranged. An essay contest for the high school or schools of your district on the subject, "Why the Underground?", will incite considerable interest and stimulate free copy. Bullets and Saddles Monogram Western 55 mins. (Nat'l Release, Oct. 29th) AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) Up to the Range Busters usual standard. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: For western fans or second feature spot for the week-end juvenile trade. Cast: Ray Corrigan, Dennis Moore, Max Terhune, Julie Duncan, Forrest Taylor, Budd Buster, Glen Strange, Steve Clark, John Merton, Joe Garcia. Credits: Directed by Anthony Marshall. Original story, Arthur Hoerl. Screenplay by Elizabeth Beecher. Director of photography, Edward Kull. Produced by George W. Weeks. Hot: The owner of a large cattle ranch requests that the U. S. Marshal put a stop to the burning of property and the rustling of cattle, or he would gather together his own force of vigilantes. Then this man finds himself framed for murder. So his wife and daughter send for the Range Busters. They learn the whereabouts of the gang causing the trouble and by catching t!ie leader, clear up the entire matter. Comment: The plot in this picture follows a familiar pattern, but apparently it's what the western fans want and on that basis the picture is okay. There is a small sequence of Terhune and his dummy, Elmer, that will add to the fun for the Saturday matinee youngsters. Other than that, it is only mildly satisfying, but has enougii gunplay and hard riding to please the type of audience for which it is made. Has been given standard production and direction by George Weeks and Anthony Marshall. The Range Busters, Ray "Crash" Corrigan, Dennis Moore and Max "Alil)i" Terhune are just what their fans expect, routing out the leader of the outlaws, Glenn Strange. » ^ WAHOO America's finest Screen Game mm HOLLYWOOD AMUSEMENT CO., 831 S. WABASH AVE., CHICAGO