Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

OPINIONS CURRENT FEATURE PRODUCTIONS eviews RKO Radio (729) 65 Minutes Rel. June 4, '37 Here the great American time-waster — household contests sponsored by manufacturers — is held up to an unmerciful and screamingly funny expose. The comedy is drawn out along broad, obvious lines, and that expressive fun-maker, Victor Moore, carries it out to a riotous climax that will have most audiences in howls. As a top programmer this is slated for excellent business. Moore, a barber, is also man-about-the-house, cooking, sewing, and housecleaning, while his wife, Helen Broderick, spends her days entering every new contest that comes along. When noti-‘’ fied she has won a place in the Mrs. American Housewife'^ contest finals, Helen drags Victor to Atlantic City with her.From here on the picture is a madhouse. Anne Shirley and' Alan Bruce furnish the romance. Joseph Santley directed.^ Victor Moore, Helen Broderick, Frank M. Thomas, Anne\ Shirley, Alan Bruce, Virginia Sale, William Brisbane. | Meet the Missus F c«med.vi Paramount (3644) 87 Minutes Rel. May 28, 37 This breezy, sprightly comedy — tailored to measure for the delectably subtle drollery of a perfect cast — will bring forth the entire gamut of laughter, from the high-pitched giggle to the deep-throated guffaw of the abdominal variety. It will, further, bring broad grins to the faces of the exhibitors who show it and for whom it will pile up blue chip grosses. Miss Colbert’s performance is on a par with any of her previous efforts in lighter parts, while Robert Young establishes a new high for himself as a comedy actor, Melvyn Douglas’ contribution is of the same high calibre. Much is added to the feature’s general excellence through the beauty of the snow-covered backgrounds against which most of the action is filmed. Wesley Ruggles as producerdirector displayed restraint in keeping the story plausible in the face of its many gag situations. Claudette Colbert, Robert Young, Melvyn Douglas, Lee Bowman, Mona Barrie, George Davis, Fritz Feld. I Met Him in Paris F c«me,iv RKO Radio (730) 65 Minutes Rel. June 25, '37 This is a difficult picture to classify, being a variation on the old western theme, but smartened up with a modern setting and a highly competent cast and production staff. It will appeal to the lovers of the western drama and the more sophisticated audiences. John Beal and Harry Carey give fine, honest performances, while Armida dances, sings and acts in a delightful manner. Among the supporting players, J. Carrol Naish and George Irving are outstanding. Beal, a spoiled drunken son of an illustrious family, lands at a small border town after a quarrel with his father. Carey, quick to see the boy’s finer points, straightens him out, gives him an interest in a ranch and Armida does the rest. A brush with modernized cattle rustlers provides the inevitable chase. Lew Landers directed. John Beal, Harry Carey, Armida, J. Carrol Naish, George George Irving, Leona Roberts, Marjorie Lord. Border Cafe F United Artists ( ) 87 Minutes Rel. May 14, '37 Basil Rathbone’s magnificent characterization of a psychopathic killer and Rowland V. Lee’s expert direction transform this slow-moving melodrama into a unique thriller with a spine-chilling climax that will make patrons hold their breaths in horror. After an unexciting introduction, during which a suave Englishman exerts his charm and marries the pretty winner of a national lottery, the story builds suspense as the guidance gradually realizes the husband’s murderous intentions. The wife’s discovery that she has married a Bluebeard leads to a clever trick whereby she shocks her husband into heart failure and saves her own life. Ann Harding gives a powerful and moving performance but the supporting cast does little more than supply a suitable background for the usual theme. Ann Harding, Basil Rathbone, Binnie Hale, Bruce Seton, Jean Cadell. Love From a Stranger A Warner Bros. ( ) 85 Minutes Rel. June 12, '37 Depicting in a sincere and honest fashion the intense struggle of a man torn between loyalty to his job and the love of a woman, Sam Bischoff’s production of William Wister Haines’ novel is a drama that will delight, amuse and touch at the hearts of those who see it — and they should be legion. Henry Fonda gives his characterization a homespun authenticity that rings true — a role that is a standout in a picture filled with fine performances. Pat O’Brien, Margaret Lindsay and Stuart Erwin, the latter as a garrulous hillbilly, give splendid support. The story tells of a country boy whose great ambition is to be a telephone lineman and how he finally realizes that ambition through friendship, hard work and loyalty, sacrificing, in the end, the life of his best friend and the love of his girl, to his job. Ray Enright directed. Pat O’Brien, Henry Fonda, Margaret Lindsay, Stuart Erwin. Slim F Drama Paramount (3642) 78 Minutes Rel. May 14, '37 This is a good musical comedy filled with some excellent and unique dance numbers directed by LeRoy Prinz. Starred together in a film for the first time, pretty Eleanore Whitney and Johnny Downs make the most of their roles. Comedy of a type belonging strictly to Ben Blue will rocket audiences from their seats time and again. Phil Harris and his orchestra lend additional interest. Phil sings a plaintive southern melody in a manner which should assure his appearance on the film screen again. Charles Ruggles, who is obsessed astrologically, and who finally ties Whitney and Downs so that the stars will permit him to marry, handles his role capably. All in all, it is a crazy quilt of laughter and merriment, and should make money. Directed by Lewis Seiler. Eleanore Whitney, Johnny Downs, Charles Ruggles, Ben Blue, Phil Harris and Orchestra. Turn Off the Moon F Grand National ( ) 75 Minutes Rel. At last Gilbert & Sullivan’s famous operettas are brought to the screen, and with a wallop. Producer Andrew Stone has blended an unimpressive story, a dash of hokum and a sprinkling of romance and comedy with a success that is almost uncanny. This Grand National producer’s first film will leave a mark for others to shoot at, and word-ofmouth praise will overcome its one handicap — a cast lacking in pulling power. Robert Armstrong is a wise-guy bookie who is rolled for his money by a hard-boiled taxidancehall girl, Irene Hervey. His elaborate plan to revenge himself and regain his money forms the story background, into which the Gilbert & Sullivan music is neatly and enjoyably fitted. Stone, who wrote the original, also directed. Irene Hervey, Robert Armstrong , Paula Stone, William Danforth, Ed Brophy, Richard Tucker, Gwili Andre. The Girl Said No F “rSI First National (178) 55 Minutes Rel. May 15, '37 Western programmer with Dick Foran as a two-fisted fighter and a crooner in a story of early western days. “My Little Buckaroo,” the hit tune which has been so widely popularized over the ether waves, was especially written for this picture. The story takes place during the homesteading era. Dick is a lawyer who doesn’t find things so peaceful in the newly settled territory because some bad boys have taken the law in their hands, staking false claims and rustling cattle. With the father of the girl he loves involved, Dick is determined to clean up the crooked gang — which he finally does after plenty of fighting and risking his life in a spray of bullets. Directed by Noel Smith. Dick Foran, Jane Bryan, David Carlyle, Tommy Bupp, Helen Valkis, Joseph Crehan. Cherokee Strip F tester.. CLASSIFICATION— A . ADULT — FFAMILY — JJUVENILE BOXOFnCE :: May 29, 1937. 63