Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

Jfkott Subject ?2evlew5t New England , Yesterday And Today Jam Handy 20 Mins. This travelogue of a section of the United States, for a change, rates with the best of this type of subject. Singularly, it contains all the charm, beauty, scenic delights and historical pleasantries that usually form the basis for foreign travel reels. Frame after frame of the quaint New England coast towns possess vignette-like qualities in their photographic appeal. As historical landmarks blend old with new, fascinating montage effects of battle scenes and early settlers’ movements slide by. Wooden windmills, antique shops, full rigged ships, lighthouses, cobbled streets, fishing villages, mountains, lakes, endless facilities for every conceivable type of summer resort, weathered inns and palatial estates abound in profusion. This is the work of a commercial producer. The client is the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. Two references to trains, neither lasting more than a few seconds, are the extent of the “plug.” The subject is available in two and one reel editions, gratis. Weather Wizards M-G-M (Pete Smith Specialty) 10 Mins. The importance of the weather man to citrus growers whose crops are in danger of frosts is vividly portrayed. Little does the ordinary layman know the hardships farmers live through to protect their all and how important it is to keep in constant touch with the local weather man for warnings. But here the fear of frost and the ruin it might bring, if not for the weather man, are clearly pictured. It is as gripping as it is entertaining. Fred Zinneman directed. Muscle Maulers 20 th-Fox (Dribble-Puss Parade) 11 Mins. Mayhem of every possible description occurs in this reel which deals with the antics of the members of the wrestling profession. It is an eloquent testimonial to what level the sport has degenerated. After a number of sequences in which prominent wrestlers are shown plying their trade, there are viewed some whacky innovations such as free-for-alls, wrestling in the mud and snow. Naturally all the situations are ripe for laughs and Lew Lehr makes the most of it. A Day at the Zoo Vitaphone (Merrie Melodies) 7 Minutes A clever and witty parody on what goes on at the zoo. It’s one of the funniest cartoons to make an appearance this year and is chockfull of laughs. Departing from the conventional humor treatment, the situations are handled in a delightfully whacky manner. There is nothing dull about it. When seen at the Strand, New York, an audience guffawed appreciatively at most of the gags. Which is the tipoff. Air Waves RKO Radio (Reelism) 10 Mins. A visit to the National Broadcasting Co. studios and a peek at what makes a radio program tick. It’s interesting behind-thescenes material and an adequate subject for any program. There is a brief reenactment of the development of radio from the crystal-set stage to the present and then a glimpse of how a program is put together to the split second. Community Sing Columbia (No. 8) 11 Mins. Many a nostalgic memory will be stirred by the gay Vienna that was as Gene Morgan leads the audience in the singing of a number of lovely Strauss waltzes. The group leads off with “Vienna Woods,” “Life in Vienna,” “Voice of Spring,” and “Blue Danube.” Christine McIntyre is the featured vocalist. Smooth Approach RKO Radio (Sportscope) 10 Mins. Another reel concerning itself with golf, but a good one. It takes handful of experts at the swatting art and, with Pebble Beach, Cal., and Augusta, Ga., courses as attractive backgrounds, shows how it’s done in regular and slow motion. Pretty shots, skilfully executed and well handled photographically. The Happy Tots Columbia (Color Rhapsody) 6V2 Mins. A sprightly Technicolor cartoon which should appeal to youngsters. Believe it or not, the king’s proclamation asserts “Movies Are Your Best Entertainment.” The remainder deals with jesters entertaining the king with a unique ocarina band and other novelties. Their Last Bean 20 th-Fox (Terry-Toons) 7 Mins. Lightweight cartoon fare in which Willie Fox is the chief character. The fox family is down to its last bean and Willie sets out to replenish the family feed basket. He leads the hounds and riders a merry and impudent chase for the remainder of the reel. NEWSREELS A Ducking They Did Go Columbia (Three Stooges) 17 Mins. The Three Stooges indulge in their customary slapstick with the customary results. It all depends on one’s evaluation of what constitutes humor before judgment can be passed. If the antics of the Stooges are funny, then here is a funny comedy in which they are hired by a couple of crooked promoters to sell memberships in a duck club. Naturally, there are no ducks around so the boys get in hot water with their clientele which consists of the mayor and chief of police. Mystic Siam 20 th-Fox (Magic Carpet) 10 Mins. Eric Mayell has photographed this strange country of the Far East with keen perception. The result is an interesting travelogue. Brooding temples, temple dancers and tropic waterways are all part of Siam. The most amusing bit is the celebration of the Siamese New Year in which people spray water on each other. Lowell Thomas does the narration. Tuesday, April 18 Fox Movietone News, No. 63: President Roosevelt speaking to the Pan American Union; the fleet goes west; ship dynamiting at Virginia Capes; Colonel Lindbergh arriving; same for former Barbara Hutton; Iran royalty gets sendoff; Polish Foreign Minister Beck; President Lebrun; fashions; Lew Lehr and a beauty contest; and horse racing, boxing and rowing. News of the Day, No. 261: Roosevelt peace message; the fleet goes west; President Lebrun reelected; Lindbergh and Hutton return; Washington inaugural trip re-enacted; dynamiting derelict off Cape Henry; and sport news. Paramount News, No. 74: Lindbergh returns; Washington trip re-enacted; skyline sculpture; court etiquette; Roosevelt peace message; the fleet goes west; Boston wins the Stanley cup; wrestling on smelts; and horse racing. RKO Pathe News, No. 78: Roosevelt peace message; the fleet goes west; President Lebrun re-elected; Washington trip re-enacted; Bruins take hocky title, and horse racing. Universal Newsreel, No. 763: Roosevelt peace message; the fleet goes west; tornado hits Oklahoma; Lindbergh returns; Britain rushes air armada; Clipper ends pioneer flight; Washington ride re-enacted; skyline sculpture; wrestling on smelts; and horse racing. Thursday, April 20 Fox Movietone News, No. 64: Ice jam in Lake Michigan; return of Spanish warships; French six-ton airliner; British airplane carrier; electric robot; Pope Pius XII; worship in Madrid; summer fashions; Lew Lehr’s unnatural history; baseball opens in Brooklyn; jallopies; skiing at Mt. Rainier; and the Boston marathon. News of the Day, No. 262: Pope prays for peace; cricket army on the march; electric robot; Chamberlains in limelight; Justice Douglas sworn in; summer fashions; Queen Mary and the younger set; jallopies; skiing; baseball opens in Brooklyn; and junior boxing at Annapolis. Paramount News, No. 75: Forest fire in west; touring Danish royalty; midgets arrive in U. S. ; Justice Douglas sworn in; Bergdoll ends exile; Albania’s retreat; British prepare; Joe Louis wins again; baseball centennial; and baseball opens in Brooklyn. RKO Pathe News, No. 79: British prepare; electric robot; Britain tests two-pound guns; glider pilots; Hibernian holiday for President Hyde; springtime at the Whipsnade zoo; salmon buck r.ver to spawn; and Australian life guards ride breakers. Universal Newsreel, No. 764: Britain prepares; Italians hail speed-up; puppet city hails new government; Justice Douglas sworn in; celebrate Sixth Ave. “L” demise; army transport sails; shoe styles; Pope prays for peace; typical U. S. mother chosen; British art to World’s Fair; salmon buck river; old jallopies in race; junior boxers at Annapolis; and skiing. BOXOFFICE :: April 29, 1939 127