National Box Office Digest (Dec 1938-Dec 1939)

6 THE BOX OFFICE DIGEST ‘Drums Along the Mohawk’ Set For Big Money CURRENT REVIEWS We Est. 1. Drums Along The Mohawk FOX 150 2. First Love UNIV 135 3. Remember MOM 110 4. Blondie Brings Fp Baby COL 80 5. The Llano Kid ' PAR 75 20th CENTURY-FOX (The Digest Estimates 150%) Exec. Producer.. ..Darryl F. Zanuck Asso. Producer Raymond Griffith Director John Ford Story by Walter D. Edmonds Screenplay: Lamar Trotti, Sonya Levien. Stars: Claudette Colbert, Henry Fonda. Featured: Edna May Oliver, Eddie Collins, John Carradine, Dorris Bowden, Jessie Ralph, Arthur Shields, Robert Lowery, Roger Imhof, Francis Ford, Ward Bond, Kay Linaker, Russell Simpson, Spencer Charters, Si Jenks, J. Ronald Pennick, Arthur Aylesworth, Chief Big Tree, Charles Tannen, Paul MeVey, Elizabeth Jones, Beulah Jones, Clarence Wilson, Lionel Pape, Edwin Maxwell, Robert Greig, Clara Blandick. Photographer Bert Glennon Color Photographer: Ray Rennahan. Music Alfred Newman Art Director: Richard Ray, MarkLee. Film Editor Robert Simpson Time 100 minutes Give Darryl Zanuck a best-selling novel whose title has been drummed into the ears of many more thousands than ever read novels, have it a novel with a patriotic theme, assign John Ford to the direction, then dress it all in the glories of Technicolor — and the answer should be pretty obvious. If you need any further assurance about the correctness of the answer, we might add that the picture closes on a shot of the Star Spangled Banner. “Drums Along the Mohawk” is a showman’s job, from conception as a possible picture, to execution by director, writers and players. It may he said that there is no more story than the fact that a bride and bridegroom set out for the wilderness — it was located in upper New York state in those days — and before the last foot of celluloid has unwound, they have fought Indians, more Indians, and quite a few British. That s the strength of the story. It’s simplicity. Plus the class touches in handling, evident on every side. A simple, lowdown story of what might happen to vour son, and my daughter, if they left the echoing wedding bells this afternoon, and had to set out unaided into a wilderness, to make a home. Maybe there could have been more plot; but we do not know what bigger plot there is than the birth of these United States. That is what the picture has. We need lose little space on the story, because we have probably told it to you already — the boy and the girl who set out for wide open spaces where a man makes his own home, the things that happen to them, in physical danger from Indian and Tory enemies, in mental danger from conflicting viewpoints. We have seldom seen a better performance from Claudette Colbert; and we don't expect to see a feminine star who responds so gloriously to the beauties of Technicolor. We regretfully cast a negative vote for Henry Fonda, who may have been what the author and the scripters wanted, but whose part would have helped both box office and audience appeal in more positive hands. Since we have dropped into parenthetical remarks, we might express our humble opinion that Fonda is still playing the same whining part, picture after picture, and in “Drums Along The Mohawk" is still the younger brother of Jesse James to us. Edna May Oliver gets the top support in the entirely excellent supporting cast. Beloved Miss Oliver gets a part into which she PARAMOUNT The Digest Estimates 75%) Producer Harry Sherman Director E. D. Venturini Screenplay Wanda Tuehock Based on “Double-Dyed Deceiver O. Henry Star Tito Guizar Featured: Gale Sondergaard, Alan Mowbray, Jane Clayton, Emma Dunn, Minor Watson, Chris Martin, Carlos de Valdez, Anna Demetrio, Gleen, Tony Roux. Photographer Russell Harlan Film Editor Sherman A. Rose Time 69 minutes Harry Sherman took an O. Henry yarn — and from what source could one find better?— then gave this picture a cast that measures above most major B’s and compares with anything any producer could do for the story; Dan Venturini directed it with skill for a combination of music with straight-line western. It all results as a very satisfactory piece of entertainment. Tito Guizar is the melody; Sherman and Venturini provide what action and chases they can squeeze can pour all of her skill, and she makes the most of it. There are a few spots in the middle of the picture where it seems too slow; your reviewer’s opinion is that the spots could have been aided if it was not so necessary to let Colbert carry the burden, while the character given Fonda was so negative. (Things happen to him; instead of his making things happen.) Top treat of a showman’s job of picture-making is the Technicolor photography by Ray Rennahan. so a bow to that veteran of the magentas, reds, and what other hues you may have. Exhibitors Booking Suggestion: Go to town. Be careful of nearhighbrow critics who may tell you it is only “ American history." Remember what J . E. Morgan — or teas it John D. Rockefeller? — said: “ NEVER SELL THE UNITED STATES SHORT:’ Previewviewed November 2nd. in between songs; an humble fellow named 0. Henry supplied the story frame-work; Vanda Tuchock made it a script. We wish they had changed the title, unless they just intended to make it for South America. Right here in Southern California, no less than four persons have asked us in the past week how to pronounce “LI ano.” What they will do to this title in Brooklyn will be something for Noah Webster's bones to Avorry about. To get back to the picture: Tito Guizar is personable, and can sell his songs. (Our "Radio Reporter” tells us that his broadcasts have a solid and loyal support that is not to be ignored.) Troupers with the skill and assured capability of Alan Mowbray and Gale Sondergaard play the next most important parts. Chris Martin, Emma Dunn, and Minor Watson are among others who hold their end uj) in any budget. The story? Veil, it seems that there was a Mexican Robin Hood WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: REPORTER: “ ‘Drums Along the Mohawk’ is a triumph of color and beauty. Rarely, since color came into pictures, has its use had such opportunities as in this production, and 20th-Fox has gone the limit on it. But aside from the color and its great scenic investitures, the picture has little to offer aside from sterling performances by its stars, Claudette Colbert and Henry Fonda, in parts that required every ounce of their abilities and the fine hand of John Ford to make them interesting.” VARIETY: ‘“Drums Along the Mohawk’ is powerfully and vividly dramatic entertainment telling the tale of pioneer American homemaking and nation building along the colonial frontier. The story has been put together with masterly craftsmanship, beautifully emblazoned in Technicolor, superbly directed on a keynote of grim reality and sincerity' and played with haunting impressiveness. And underpinning these excellent results, spelling smash hit, is production care and showman’s care of inspirational calibre by Darryl F. Zanuck and his aides. who was on the first step toward a firing squad, only to be saved by a couple of conniving meanies, Sondergaard and Mowbray. Lots of things happen, numerous songs are sung. and. of course, you know whnt 0. Henrv titled bis completed story: “Double-Dyed Deceiver. " That tells you where the romantic Robin Hood and the heavies ended up. Exhibitors Booking Suggestion: Satisfactory program fare , and good entertainment; but not aimed eery high in marquee value. Previewed October 30th. WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: REPORTER. “As a picture, ‘The Llano Kid’ itself is no great shakes. The story is good and has an excellent twist, but both script and direction are stodgily uninspired.” VARIETY: “Founded on O. Henry’s ‘Double-Dyed Deceiver,’ and given the added benefit of songs by Tito Guizar, ‘The Llano Kid’ reaches screen as an entertaining programmer.” ‘Llano Kid’ Combines Music With Western Background