Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

OPINIONS ON CURRENT FEATURE P R O D U C T I ON S eviewi Paramount (3643) 66 Minutes Rel. May 21. '37 To say this murder melodrama is little better than mediocre is to treat it kindly. Even as program fare on the least important of dual bills it will provide wobbly and dubious entertainment, its sole redeeming feature being capital performances by Grant Richards and that old reliable comic, Roscoe Karns. The picture is a remake of “The Greene Murder Case,” a Philo Vance detective yarn produced some years ago, and falls short of the standard set in that production. Story tells of an epidemic of murders which hits an extremely unpleasant and hateful New York family, the guilt for which is pinned on the least suspected party by the infallible Vance, played by Richards, rendered dubious aid by the thick-headed Sergeant Heath, a characterization in which Karns shines. E. A. DuPont directed. Grant Richards, Helen Burgess, Roscoe Karns, Ruth Coleman, Harvey Stephens, June Martel, Terry Ray. A Night of Mystery F Melodrama Republic (6307) 61 Minutes Rel. May 12, '37 A too-generous supply of Gene Autry’s crooning permeates this musical western and while the popular cowboy’s melodies are pleasant enough they have the effect of slowing up the action. The petite Mexican, Armida, is also much in evidence and the rotund comedian, Smiley Burnette, injects himself into nearly every scene to the detriment of the story. The latter concerns a young cattleman who attempts to take the law into his own hands when he finds his herd mysteriously stolen. Dressed in outlaws’ clothes, Autry and his pal are constantly pursued by the sheriff and his gang and later are captured by two young girls who turn them over to justice. The finish contains the usual chase across the plains by cattle rustlers, cowboys and sundry western characters. Mack V. Wright directed. Gene Autry, Armida, Monte Blue. Ann Pendleton, Smiley Burnette, Max Hoffman jr., Al Clauser and his Outlaws. Rootin', Tootin' Rhythm F tester., Universal (1020) 60 Minutes Rel. June 6, '37 Its only handicap a lack of star names to draw in the paying customers, this is a smoothly-directed, fast-paced thriller of the old melodramatic school. Deft production handling, plenty of action and a grand character performance by Edward Ellis lift it above the program plane and, properly advertised, it should be well received and profitable. Ellis, a patrolman, shoots and kills a bandit, and then, overcome with remorse, adopts the criminal’s boy, bringing him up as his own. Grown to a man, the policeman’s adopted son, played adequately by Robert Wilcox, succumbs to the lure of quick money, stages a bank holdup, and is jailed, denouncing his stepfather as a hypocrite. Through a clever climax the two are reunited and the boy learns that honesty is best. Milton Carruth directed. Edward Ellis, Robert Wilcox, Nan Grey, Ralph Morgan, Richard Carle, Billy Burrud, Alma Kruger. The Man in Blue F Me.«.irama Paramount ( ) 66 Minutes Rel. June 4, '37 This is a gay, sprightly and highly amusing domestic comedy, well-stocked with a brand of humor that has universal appeal. It presents Lynne Overman and Leo Carrillo at their best — a certain assurance for plenty of favorable boxoffice reaction. In addition it offers comedy support of Benny Baker, Spring Byington, George Barbier and Collette Lyons, plus the pleasing pulchritude of Mary Carlisle. Overman and Carrillo top the cast, with honors even, closely followed by Barbier and Miss Byington. Overman, happily married to Miss Byington, is the victim of a prank which sends his wife running to Carrillo for astrological advice. He advises separation. She agrees, then changes her mind, complicating matters greatly, and returns home. George Archainbaud directed. Lynne Overman, Spring Byingtoii, Leo Carrillo, George Barbier, Mary Carlisle, Benny Baker, Collette Lyons. Hotel Haywire F comeu.v Republic (3510) 65 Minutes Rel. May 10, '37 Despite the obvious care and production expenses which have gone into the making of this, the film is guilty of being overloaded with the Gene Stratton-Porter brand of sentimentality and saccharinity, which does not set well with modern audiences. The chief fault lies in the scripting which puts the loud pedal on the Galahad-like activities of one Master Jackie Moran, who in the title role, fixes up everything — excepting this picture. Moran, a prideof-the-dancing-class type, will not hit with the kid patrons. Story tells of a wild young mother who is rejuvenated, morally, by the two homeless orphans whom she adopts as a hoax to get her own children back after a court has ruled she is unfit to take care of them. Directed by Karl Brown. Warren Hull, Wynne Gibson, Jackie Moran, Charlene Wyatt, Sidney Blackmer, Hope Manning, Helen Lowell. Michael O'Halloran F Drama 20th Century-Fox (721) 100 Minutes Rel. May 28, '37 In every department here’s a picture that has exactly what it takes to bring superlative entertainment to every type of film fan and, resultantly, it cannot miss being a boxoffice bonanza. With Stanwyck and Taylor for the romance seekers, suspense and action that will have them chawing their handkerchiefs, and musical interludes of a vogue popular at the turn of the century, audiences everywhere, regardless of community, age or tastes, will find something to rave about. An unusually clever screenplay, raised to the zenith of smart showmanship through the production guidance of Kenneth Macgowan and the direction of Past Master William A. Seiter, portrays the trailing and trapping of a band of bankrobbers whose activities threatened to wreck the McKinley administration. Robert Taylor, Barbara Stanwyck, Victor McLaglen, Brian Donlevy, Sidney Blackmer, Robert McWade, Frank Conroy. This Is My Affair F Dra.„a First National (161) 82 Minutes Rel. April 24, '37 Unfolded with unnecessary brutality, this picture’s already restricted appeal is even further curtailed by the limitations of its story structure. It resembles this company’s “Black Legion,” taken, as that film was, from the nation’s headlines, and is produced with a shocking grimness that leaves it with but a slim chance to pay its way. The story tells of a mountain girl’s struggle to alleviate the suffering of her ignorant kinsfolk through the establishment of a hospital. Strongest opposition is offered by her own father, who, trying to whip her into observance of the creed “Honor thy father and thy mother,” dies in the struggle. Subsequent scenes, during which the girl is tried and convicted of murder, are relentlessly painted. Robert Barrat delivers with a terrific impact. Michael Curtiz directed. George Brent, Josephine Hutchinson, Robert Barrat, Guy Kibbee, Margaret Hamilton, Fuzzy Knight, Elisabeth Risdon. Mountcdn Justice A Grand National 61 Minutes Rel. Although this picture must be exploited judiciously to avoid having patrons class it with the regular run of “sex” films, it brings a message of vital importance to every community and should not be overlooked by any exhibitor. As a motion picture, “Damaged Goods” leaves much to be desired, but as an educational film designed to crusade against syphilis, it pulls no punches, dealing with the subject in an honest and outspoken fashion. Producer Phil Goldstone deserves much credit for keeping the text within the bounds of good taste and avoiding any unnecessary play upon sex. The story deals with a young man who nearly brings disaster upon his wife and child when he marries, against a doctor’s orders, before he has been completely cured of the infection. Directed by Phil Stone. Pedro de Cordoba, Phyllis Barry, Douglas Walton, Arietta Duncan, Esther Dale, Greta Meyer, Frank Melton. Damaged Goods A E.iucati«„a. CLASSIFICATION— A ADULT — FFAMILY — JJUVENILE BOXOFTTCE :: May 22, 1937. 21