Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

^hott Sulfiact ?^e\/'tewi. Blue Velvet Music Paramount 10 Minutes Mark Warnow is here given ample opportunity to prove his right to this title, the soft and soothing melodies issuing from his orchestra giving the listener a restful sensation in direct contrast to the blaring, jazzy music of other dance bands. All of his interpretations are distinctive, among the numbers being Paderewski’s “Minuet,” “Whispering” and the more recent “Swing High, Swing Low.” Buddy Clark renders “Gee, But You’re Swell” in pleasing fashion and the Symphonettes, a new singing trio, deliver “Honeysuckle Rose” in popular harmony style. This rhythmic interlude will please true music lovers and serve as a relief from “swing music.” Comic Artist's Home Life Educational 18 Minutes Jefferson Macliamer, comic artist extraordinary, again delivers an engagingly humorous short in the “Gags and Gal” series, this number peopled mainly with the pulchritudinous ladies who furnish him with inspiration for his syndicated newspaper feature. Machamer is seen as the Sultan of Sketch, surrounded by beauties, intrigued with a ne'wcomer, Joan Christie, a newspaper reporter who arrives for an interview. Her decision to listen to his pleas and marry him calls for some quick thinking, but Machamer supplies the gowns and other wedding accessories by the simple expedient of drawing them on the bride and her bridesmaids. It’s delightful and original stuff and the parade of feminine loveliness is typical of Producer A1 Christie, whose judgment in this respect is unfailing. I €HORT OF THE WEEK Walt Disney's Academy Award Revue United Artists 44 Minutes A unique featurette designed to satisfy picture fans, and their name must he legion, who find the average animated cartoon too short. This Technicolor revue is composed of the five prize-winning Silly Symphonies which each year since 1932 have been given the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences award for the best cartoon subject. In sequence, they are: “Flowers and Trees,” “Three Little Pigs,” “Three Orphan Kittens,” “The Tortoise and the Hare” and “The Country Cousin.” Each is noteworthy for originality, technical excellence, brilliant color work and appropriate musical accompaniment and sound effects. Ho attempt has been made to combine the five cartoon stories, each being heralded on the screen by an enlargement of the Academy statuette and laudatory announcements. A three-quarter hour of the best in the cartoon world, far surpassing the average second feature in entertainment value. Fleet Hoofs Columbia 10 Minutes One of the most interesting subjects in the News World of Sports series, this will capture the attention of general audiences and prove an absorbing reel for lovers of horseflesh. Excepting the dog, this animal is the best friend of man. The footage is devoted mainly to the raising of a colt to a racing thoroughbred. Other breeds shown are dashing fire horses, military steeds, polo ponies and a few stock shots of heavy horses pulling old-fashioned street cars or hansom cabs. Exciting scenes of the Grand National at Aintree picture riders toppling over the jumps and, for a thrilling climax, the long shot. Reaping Reward, outdistancing the favorite, Narraganset, and winning the race. Slow motion shots show the danger for horse and rider. Narrative by Jack Kofoed, described by Dan Seymour. Home Run on the Keys Vitaphone 9 Minutes Babe Ruth, one of the greatest baseball names of all time, could not be expected to shine in the acting field but this Vitaphone Novelty has been neatly tailored to his measure as well as providing spots for Zez Confrey and Byron Gay, composers, to demonstrate their musical talents. Scene is a hunting lodge with the musicians trying to get an idea for a broadcast song as the Bambino reminisces about his baseball days in a series of flashbacks. This gives Zez the idea for the title song describing a home run on the keys much in the manner of his well-remembered composition “Kitten on the Keys.” The scene then changes to a broadcasting station where the number is played and sung as super-imposed baseball scenes flash on the screen. The whole is effectively done and will carry great entertainment value for the legion of baseball fans. Nobody Home Paramount 10 Minutes A mild novelty in the Paragraphic series which will furnish some slight amusement for audiences and will suffice as a program filler. Shorty, a baby chimpanzee, demonstrates his ability to smoke, drink, paint and play a piano and finally tries his hand at baking. Shorty’s culinary activities are comic enough and prove that, although man may not be descended from the monkey, the latter can at least imitate a human — with modifications. George Shelton provides the off-screen narration. Stranger Than Fiction, No. 36 Universal 9 Minutes The footage of this invariably interesting reel is mainly concerned with the unique occupations or hobbies practiced by ordinary people throughout the United States. Among those shown are the only woman diamond-cutter in Manhattan who derives more pleasure from bringing out the beauty of gems than the average woman gets from wearing them, a man in California who collects wooden horses from long-idle harness shops, a Texas authority on bats who has built them a sanctuary, X-raying flowers to secure intricate patterns for designs, and a museum of ancient swords in Seattle. The reel closes with a crippled dog who helps his master deliver papers with the aid of a one-pooch power cart attached to his hind legs. Super Snoopers Columbia 19V2 Minutes When archaic comedy situations are milked to the straining point and gags anticipated before occurring, there is little left to commend the subject, even though it is slapstick, as it is here. Monty Collins pairs with El Brendel to show what happens when a couple of dumb sleuths accidentally come upon a gang of bank robbers. What action there is is confined to running around in circles, which is analagous to the originality employed over most of the route. The Twisker Pitcher Paramount 7 Minutes With baseball occupying the leisure time or thoughts of half of America’s male population, Max Fleischer has wisely decided to let Popeye and his arch enemy, Bluto, invade the diamond where the cartoon characters play a game the like of which will never be seen. Popeye, despite encouragement from Olive Oyl, seems destined for defeat after Bluto substitutes grass for the usually dependable can of spinach. In the ninth inning, and with the score hopelesly against him, Popeye grows some instant spinach, gulps it down and, with renewed energy, hits the ball and scores a winning run. A comedy riot and among the most hilarious of recent cartoons. BOXOFnCE :: May 22, 1937. 23