Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1938)

• REVIEW FLASHES • ARMY GIRL (Rep) — Expertly produced drama of peace-time army life that will deliver a brimming measure of top-flight entertainment to even the most discriminating film shoppers and consequently should be a sure boxoffice winner. In cast, story and direction, it rates high among the better program pictures of recent months. Pres-’ ton Foster and Madge Evans convincing in leads, and support is commendable throughout. Armand Schaeffer produced. George Nicholls jr., directed. FOUR'S A CROWD (WB)— As farce comedy of the newspaper school this clocks sufficient laughs to warrant satisfaction, although intelligent audiences will deplore the sheer waste of such thespic talent as Errol Flynn, Rosalind Russell and Walter Connolly in a startling unoriginal story resorting to slapstick and timeworn gags to sustain interest. David Lewis produced. Michael Curtiz directed. MR. CHUMP (WB) — An unripened tomato for which Warner either selected the title of "Mr. Chump" in hopes that lots of exhibitors are naive to a point approaching the uttermost or else have assumed new roles of sly and artful kidders. Johnny Davis, Lola Lane. Directed by William Clemens. SKY GIANT (RKO) — An interesting aviation feature based on training school for commercial pilots. Although ably produced and directed and bolstered considerably Calling Films Fine Art, Harvard Plans Course New York — For a change, a bouquet was tossed at the industry in the form of an academic accolade when it became known that Harvard is preparing to include the study of motion pictures as a fine art in the curriculum of the Graduate School of Design. Gathering material in Hollywood for the course is Robert D. Field, assistant professor of fine arts. He has this to say about it: ‘‘The time has come when our universities must assume some responsibility for interpreting the art forms of our own age, more particularly those which are unique to our age and symptomatic of our social progress as a whole.” Motion pictures as part of a university curriculum is an established fact here. New York University has been conducting a course for years under Robert J. Gessner who makes it a practice to bring outstanding men in the industry to lecture. Sixth Kent Drive New York — The sixth annual S. R. Kent Drive, dedicated to “Sidney R. Kent’s 20 years of leadership in the motion picture industry,” will begin August 14. by competent performances by Richard Dix and Chester Morris, its entertainment and boxoffice values are limited by a clicheladen story. Robert Sisk produced. Lew Landers directed. THE SONG OF FREEDOM (Treo)— Paul Robeson stamps his presence on this film in a magnificent, and often times, stirring manner. It is his picture and the final effect is one of admiration for his glorious voice and fine acting. J. Elder Wills directed. THE TEXANS (Para) — Another in the series of epical super westerns in which this company has excelled during recent seasons. While it lacks some of the finesse of entertainment found in "The Plainsman" and "Wells Fargo" it still qualifies through dint of plenty of action and production values as top bracket film fare. Should do plenty of business in all showings. Randolph Scott and Joan Bennett head a sterling cast in the story of reconstruction period in Texas. Lucien Hubbard produced. James Hogan directed. TERROR OF TINY TOWN (Prin)— This novelty feature with an all-midget cast will serve in the exploitation field at which it is aimed, although it has little more to offer other than its uniqueness. The thespic efforts of the midgets are amateurish and stilted. Jed Buell produced. Sam Newfield directed. Plan Eight Contests in Fabian Golf Tourney New York — Eight contests are planned for Si Fabian’s golf tournament slated for July 21 at Preakness Hills Country Club, near Paterson, N. J. They will be: 1 — Low gross for nine holes; 2 — Runner up; 3 — Low gross for 18 holes; 4 — Runner up; 5 — Kicker’s handicap; 6 — Putting; 7 — Driving; 8 — Hole in one. From 100 to 150 are expected to play, according to Dick Edelson, in charge of arrangements. Extra Vacation Time New York — RKO Pathe’s short subject department closed Friday for three weeks during which time all staff members will receive full vacations with pay. With a good start on the shorts for next season, it was decided to let the staff enjoy added vacation time. Goldwyn-Riskin Dicker Hollywood — Samuel Goldwyn, admitting he is dickering with Robert Riskin, Columbia scripter, for a top spot in his organization, denied earlier reports a deal had definitely been consummated. J^FTER a summer trek to Havana, European distributor Sam Bomstein, and Max Reinhardt’s attorney, Ronald Button, stopped here long enough for a sandwich, an interview lauding Hollywood workshops and thence, by plane, to the film capital . . . Arrangements for the gay party at Hyde Park, where the First Lady entertained Shirley Temple with a picnic luncheon and swim party, were made at the White House here by Fox Movietone political editor, Arthur DeTitta . . . Which recalls that the aforementioned newsreel ace, with wife Helen, is playing host to Mr. and Mrs. A1 Waldron and the three kiddies at the DeTitta Wardman Hotel retreat. More excellent charity work by Tent No. ll’s welfare committee, piloted by Metro’s chief, Rudy Berger, sends new cots to the Tubercular camp as well as a contribution of $250 to the Washington Times campaign for underpriveleged youngsters’ summer camps . . . Andy Kelley takes the open road for a summer holiday, his column being supplied by daily guest writers, the first listed as RKO’s Hardie Meakin . . . Former National theatre manager, Steve Cochran, is ope?iing his Olney, Md., barn playship, July 25 with Elissa Landi headlining . . . Carter Barron has put in first claim for the Metro “Marie Antoinette” museum display now at the Astor . . . Deepest sympathy to Paramount’s publicity ace, Carl Odell, upon the death of his father here. Sidney Lust will stage a family night at his new Boro, Betheseda, as well as a “Quest for Talent” night . . . Spencer Tracy’s Hollywood secretary has announced her engagement to Phillip Herrick of this town . . . Abe Tolkins announces “Storm in a Teacup,” now in its third week at the Little, is the first English-made flicker since “Henry VIII” to rate this lengthy holdover . . . Mr. and Mrs. Walter T. Sweeney — he is ad manager for the National — are honeymooning at Cape May, N. J. . . . E. M. Loew, New England chain operator, spent a day going over plans here for his new open-air filmshop now under construction on the Richmond-Washington Blvd. Columbia’s Sam Galanty has returned via sky route from business sessions in Pittsburgh . . . Peggy Tutt, Columbia miss, is back from a Florida sojourn . . . Larry Ady has renovated the RKO ad sales department with a new floor paint job . . . Russ, of the RKO Hildebrands, is back at the desk after a Gotham jaunt. Mrs. Carlton Duffus is back from a St. Paul visit with her family . . . Arthur Lacks in charge of news department at the Loew’s home office, is a D. C. visitor . . . Sara Young, 20th Century-Fox, postcards from New England where she is enjoying a summer rest . . . Virginia’s oldest picture house, the Ashton, will close July 16 for remodeling . . . Rumored plans by Tent No. 11 for a fishing party at Point Lookout in the near future are in the able hands of Julian Brylawski (chief barker) , Rudy Berger, Carter Barron, and Harry Brown. COMPLETE REVIEWS on the above pictures will appear in an early issue of BOXOFFICE. 24-F BOXOFFICE :: July 16, 1938