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OPINIONS ON CURRENT FEATURE PRODUCTIONS
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j M-G-M (841) 90 Minutes Rel. July 22, '38
The latest in the “Judge Hardy” series is first-rate, wholesome comedy which should prove even more popular than its three predecessors. Mickey Rooney, whose adolescent romances gives the story its motivation, steals the picture. The remainder of the cast is comparably good, with Lewis Stone and Judy Garland particularly outstanding. So long as contributions to the current “series” trend remain as high in quality as this, such “family” pictures, using the same cast throughout, will continue to have the strong claim on profitable boxoffice grosses which they have enjoyed during the past season. Mickey finds himself in considerable of a predicament in choosing one of three girls ! for a dance date. George Seitz directed.
Lewis Stone, Mickey Rooney, Cecilia Parker, Fay Holden, Judy Garland, Ann Rutherford, Lana Turner.
Love Finds Andy Hardy F
Progressive Pictures ( ) 62 Minutes Rel.
Although the title is fraught with possibilities for the showman who dotes on the sensational stuff, exhibitors should be pleasantly surprised to find this a simple probi lem story, devoid of maudlin and leering innuendos. It should do as a programmer in subsequent spots. The production rates as a competent job. The weakest link is the story which attempts to point a moral at parents who fail to consider their children’s welfare. It’s worked out in a slightly incredible manner with Doris Weston as the central figure. Prominent in the town’s welfare is a woman judge, Helen MacKellar, who makes amends for her daughter whom she placed in a foundling home. Performances by Miss Weston, Sybil Harris and Maurice Murphy are notably good. Nick Grinde directed.
Doris Weston, Maurice Murphy, Helen MacKellar, Terry Walker, Richard Tucker, Theodore Von Eltz.
Delinquent Parents F Drarna
Paramount ( ) 93 Minutes Rel. July 29, '38
This Harold Lloyd laughfest was worth waiting for. It contains enough hilarious comedy, original touches, pace and comedy to roll up significant grosses. No little credit attaches to the corking comedy support Lloyd gets from such bell-ringers as Raymond Walburn, Lionel Stander and William Prawley. Lloyd himself was never in better form.
! His well-established facet for thrill-fringed slapstick is renewed along swift lines. By continuously underplaying the comedy, a rare accomplishment, Lloyd manages to develop numerous anti-climatic laugh bits. He gets able romantic support from Phyllis Welch. Lloyd is an Egyptologist who finally gets his big chance to join an expedition but never gets there. Elliott Nugent directed.
Harold Lloyd, Phyllis Welch, Raymond Walburn, Lionel Stander, William Frawley.
Professor, Beware F ComedJ.
20th Century-Fox (855) 70 Minutes Rel. July 22, '38
Excellent summer entertainment of the make-believe variety, given typically workmanlike production, able direction and acting of the highest calibre, this should come through for good returns and favorable comment everywhere. Warner Baxter is splendid in a tailor-made role as the tired-of-it-all millionaire who, besieged by leeches seeking monetary favors, changes clothes with Peter Lorre, a dull-witted tramp, while cruising off the coast of Prance. He confides to the hobo that he would “give a million” to anyone who would be kind to him for himself — then wanders off and inevitably finds such altruistic kindness in the person of Marjorie Weaver, a circus performer who gets him a job. Fritz Feld and Lorre are outstanding in support. Walter Lang directed.
Warner Baxter, Marjorie Weaver, Peter Lorre, Fritz Feld, Jean Hersholt, John Carradine, J. Edward Bromberg.
I'll Give a Million F "a
Universal ( ) 85 Minutes Rel. July 23, '38
! Fast-moving drama of the slums featuring the “Dead
, End” kids, Producer Ken Goldsmith’s contribution to the current cycle compares favorably with previous pictures in which this talented group of youngsters has appeared and should fare proportionately in popularity and patronage. The aggregation of juvenile mobsters, with Billy Halop and Huntz Hall turning in particularly splendid performances, carries the major part of the thespic chore, maintaining the adroit balance between stark realism and comedy which has made it a fan favorite. Production is carefully and unstintingly mounted and direction is of the highest order.
! Story deals with somewhat the same sociological problems which provided the motivation of its two predecessors. Directed by Harold Young.
Robert Wilcox, Helen Parrish, Marjorie Main, Jackie Searl, the ‘‘Dead End” Kids.
Little Tough Guy F
Grand National ( ) 59 Minutes Rel. July 1, '38
To this wearisome film of make-believe war and espionage goes the dubious distinction of providing more facial closeups than anything seen hereabout in many moons. The entire production is as loose-footed and unbelievable as is its stamp of budget limitations. Long lapses of silence and dull dialogue bog the piece, while considerable that is spoken is unintelligible, due to an attempt to maintain a foreign flavor. Hamilton is a French army officer who is ordered to marry Miss Horney, French spy, in order to save her from extradition to the Germans. He does so, before meeting her, with the understanding that the marriage be annulled after the war. But he falls in love and then loses her. Edmond Greville directed.
Neil Hamilton, Brigette Horney, Ivor Barnard, Charles Carson, Gyles I sham, Ben Field.
I Married a Spy F
RKO Radio ( ) 75 Minutes Rel.
Laugh-a-minute screwball comedy elevating Lucille Ball to stardom, a rating which her excellent performance crystallizes, this should prove a hit with the fans who go j for film entertainment in its lightest vein and please generally through its back-of-the-scenes Hollywood story, which subjects motion picture production and publicity circles to a broad ribbing. Jack Oakie, apparently, reveling in his new streamlined torso, is tops in a good supporting cast. Lou Lusty produced, his first assignment, and registered a thoroughly creditable job, which evaluation is also applicable to the scripting and directorial chore. Lucille Ball is the pampered star, while Oakie is the studio press agent assigned to precipitate the actress on page one. Directed by Ben Stoloff.
Jack Oakie, Lucille Ball, Ruth Donnelly, Bradley Page,
' Fritz Feld, Thurston Hall, Elisabeth Risdon.
\ The Affairs of Annabel F Comedv
M-G-M (829) 81 Minutes Rel. July 2, '38
A boy departs on a long sea voyage without telling his sweetheart and father. The girl is to become the mother of a child by the young seaman. She tells her plight to Frank Morgan, long in love with her, who welcomes this chance to marry her. When the boy at sea learns of the marriage, he returns to take the girl and child away with him. But his father and the girl convince him, in a welldeveloped dramatic climax, that he had forsaken his rights and should not break up a happy union. The plot has its locale on the seacoast of Marseilles. It is a characterization drama interlarded with comedy lines and overladen with heavy dialogue. Frank Morgan steals the picture with an unusual character portrayal. James Whale directed.
Wallace Beery, Frank Morgan, Maureen O’Sullivan, John Beal, Jessie Ralph, Cora Witherspoon, Etienne Girardot.
Port of Seven Seas F
CLASSIFICATION— A ADULT — F FAMILY — J JUVENILE
BOXOFFICE :: July 16, 1938
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