Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1939)

NEWSREELS Poetry of Nature M-G-M (Pete Smith Specialty) 8 Mins. Pete Smith flings a few jibes at the commentators who are always gushing at the beauties of nature. His poetic allusions to nature make this the short to end all nature shorts. It is corking entertainment and the camera work by Mervyn Freeman is deserving of extra plaudits. Smith introduces the audience to a couple of friends of the California forest that do not react in the manner expected. The villain of the piece is a black crow which goes about robbing nests for eggs. But the crow gets his just deserts in the end with a curt farewell from Bosco, the Bear. Rural Hungary M-G-M (FitzPatrick Traveltalk) 9 Mins. Few reels of this series have captured the charm and native quality that this does. As the title implies, it deals entirely with the agricultural areas of Hungary. The natural colors of the natives’ costumes and their quaint customs are blended beautifully. The dances on Sunday afternoons, the solemn rituals that take place when the crop is gathered, the fascinating Hungarian cowboys tending herds and the simplicity that abounds in their everyday pursuits of happiness make this a most interesting subject. Picturesque Udaipur M-G-M (FitzPatrick Traveltalk) 8 Mins. Udaipur is a province of India where the Hindu religion with its caste system dominates. It’s the type of subject that offers the best material for FitzPatrick’s ever-roving camera. He makes the most of it; in addition, splendid color photography vividly captures the characteristic features of Udaipur. An insight into how the caste system functions is offered. The reel ends with a view of the maharajah’s castle and some of his noblemen. The Greener Hills M-G-M (Miniature) 11 Mins. A dramatic bit about an incurable optimist and played for comedy. Henry Miller is a symbol of the man who tries his hand at everything. One day he purchases a peanut farm but is disconsolate when he discovers no peanuts at harvest time. He turns to bees but fails at that. When he returns. Miller finds his family comfortably fixed. It seems no one realized that peanuts grew underground, like potatoes. The Bear That Couldn't Sleep M-G-M (Cartoon) 9 Mins. Amusing are the antics of the bear that had trouble getting to bed for his winter hibernation. The animators have made the bruin an amiable cuss and he will certainly appeal to the kids. The bear encounters all sorts of difficulties. The roof leaks, the windows slam and he is locked out in the cold. When he finally turns in, it seems spring has arrived again. Tuesday, June 20 Movietone Ne^A'S, No. 81: King and Queen say goodbye: Atlantic Clipper starts passenger flight; U. S. cruisers on good-will voyage; crown Cotton King and Queen; Arizona drum and bugle corps; fashions; Lew Lehr; names in the news: Minister Hjalmar Procope. Henry Ford and family, Prince Teh and King Gustav; the Ascot stakes; women’s golf tourney; National Collegiate and Princeton track meets; New York golf; and Governor Stark on crime. News of the Day, No. 279: King and Queen sail in triumph; London “troops” the color; Atlantic passenger flights begin; Finland pays again; France honors Joffre; Italy’s troops return from Spain; Woo'derson beaten; and California wins regatta. Paramount News, No. 92: England prepares to welcome royalty; World’s Fair; London garden party; buys first Clipper ticket; auto consumes coal gas; California wins regatta; and Wooderson beaten. liKO Pathe News, No. 90: Majesties end tour; Finland pays debt; Kennedy receives Cambridge degree; Italy’s troops return from Spain; California wins regatta; London military pageant; National Collegiate and Princeton track meets; and fans honor Pepper Martin. Universal Newsreel, No. 781: King and Queen sail; Clipper off for Europe; London military pageant; Wooderson beaten; California wins regatta; World’s Fair; France honors Joffre; liquid coal propels auto; Italy’s troops return from M-G-M (Robert Benchley) 10 Mins. Robert Benchley illustrates how the various emotions play havoc with one’s digestive system. It may not be Benchley’s funniest effort, but it contains enough humor to make it substantial program fare. The situations depict: a man who hears the news he might lose his job; a man in love; eating at a picnic; a man waiting to be called on at a banquet; eating in bed; and the unpleasant stranger who sits himself down on the other side of a table in a railroad dining car. Hobo Gadget Band Vitaphone (Merrie Melody) 7 Mins. An amusing cartoon bit that rates above average as program material. It opens with a group of hoboes at camp preparing breakfast. When they hear a train whistle, they all depart. After being thrown off, they come to a town where they enter an amateur radio contest and prove a hit. But as they sign a contract, a train whistle sounds and they are off again for the road. Tempo of Tomorrow Paramount (Headliner) 10 Mins. The very smooth rhythms of Richard Himber’s orchestra feature this band number. Stuart Allen and Patricia Gilmore are vocalists. Orchestrations, which are novel with this band, and the vocals are above par. Four songs are played, of which three are popular and one original. The Technique of Tennis Columbia (Sports Issue) 10 Mins. A swell short that will appeal to tennis fans. With the season under way, it also could use some exploitation by enterprising exhibitors. Lloyd Budge, brother of Don and foremost tennis instructor in his own right, demonstrates the fundamentals of sound tennis. Spain; Russian envoy; Finland pays debt; and ♦ old folks hold convention. Thursday, June 22 Movietone News, No. 82: U. S. navy cruisers in gale off Cape Horn; Pan-American leaders exchange courtesies; Norwegian training ship docks; freak tornado; Harvard class day; Eagles convene; Clipper takes off; Lou Gehrig ends career; trotting in Australia; and Louis and Galento wind up training. News of tile Day, No. 280: Far East crisis; freak tornado; Norwegian square rigger; Harvard confetti battle; swimming pool for East Side kids; mass calisthenics in London; Gehrig ends career; Louis and Galento wind up training. . I’arainount News, No. 93: Harvard commencement exercises; Squalus inquiry; freak tornado; Brazilian chief of army staff; Norwegian square rigger; Chinatown tenenrent fire; Gehrig’s career ended; National Collegiate m.eet; and Louis and Galento wind up training. KKO Pathe News, No. 97: U. S. welcom.e.s Brazil’s army chief; freak tornado; English health and beauty legion; Squalus inquiry; seek sunken treasure; launch new dance; and Norwegian square rigger. Universal Newsreel, No. 782: Freak tornado; sex predicter disappointed; Gehrig’s career ended; square rigger arrives; Brazil’s army chief visits here; Sandy gets clipped; London military pageant; midget races; water skiers; model liner amazes experts; and 50 felled in 4-alarm fire. 20th-Fox (Sports Review) 11 Mms. Ed Thorgersen has hit upon a happy idea. One that sports lovers will appreciate the country over. He has taken a number of famous personalities of the sports world and included them in his album of immortals. All at one time dominated their field, starting with Red Grange, Helen Wills and Susanne Lenglen, Barney Oldfield, Grover Alexander, Babe Ruth, Knute Rockne, Man O’ War, Gertrude Ederle, Paavo Nurmi, Jack Dempsey, Bobby Jones and Sonja Henie. There are brief characteristic clips of each and audiences will yearn for more when it’s over. The Scared Crows Paramount (Betty Boop) 7 Mins. There’s a lot of fun in this reel, although it isn’t particularly original. It seems a flock of crows are making things miserable for Betty Boop, who finds her seeds disappearing the moment after she plants them. However, a scarecrow does the trick and everything looks serene. But somehow, one of the birds gets into the house. He opens a screen and the rest of the flock come in and promptly invade the icebox and pantry. Betty and her dog. Pudgy, then declare war on the pests until they are dispersed. Rembrandt French Film Exchange 10 Mins. Here is an unusual reel that should come in for considerable praise from educational groups. It is a brief history of the life of Rembrandt, illustrating some of his famous paintings. It also briefly traces the history of the art. There is Rembrandt’s first picture, “The Money Changer,” and others such as “The Philosopher with the Open Book,” and “The Philosopher in Meditation” and the stirring “Saint Paul the Apostle.” Sports Immortals How to Eat BOXOFFICE :: July 1, 1939 83