20th Century-Fox Dynamo (July 8, 1939)

4 NEW DYNAMO ZANUCK PERSONALLY SWEPT OFF HIS FEET BY AUDIENCE REACTION TO A ROUGH-CUT VERSION OF “STANLEY AND LIVINGSTONE” Following is a explanatory telegram despatched to General Man- ager of Distribution Herman Wobber by Darryl Zanuck, following the preview of the rough-cut version of “Stanley and Livingstone”, sec- ond release of the coming K-7 season. This is the first time that any studio has previewed a “rough-cut” of any special, for there is still much music background to be placed into the picture which cannot be possibly completed for delivery earlier than August 3. The telegram follows: “Dear Herman: Two years ago this month we shot our first scene for ‘Stanley and Livingstone’ in Africa and last night we sneak pre- viewed a rough-cut of ‘Stanley and Livingstone’ at Inglewood. It re- ceived the greatest preview reaction I have ever seen in my life on any picture. “I knew we had a very fine picture, but I must confess I never dreamed that we had anything like what we had at Inglewood last night. We received over 100 preview cards in the first mail and I have never read anything like them in my life. The comments far surpass anything we have had on our greatest pictures and last night the ova- tion we received from the ordinary regular Friday night small-town audience is something I will never forget. “The great religious theme of the picture seemed to make the audience believe that they were seeing not a movie, but a profound human document and this picture unquestionably has the same ele- ments that ‘Boys' Town’ had. Yet, they are combined with spectacle and adventure. Regards.” Two hours after receipt of the above, Mr. Zanuck followed up with the following additional wire to Mr. Wobber: “We have now received a total of 198 cards on the Inglewood pre- view of ‘Stanley and Livingstone’ and they are unquestionably the greatest set of cards we have ever received or I have ever seen on any picture. At least 25 cards openly say that it is the best moving picture they have seen in years. Most comments speak about the amazing hon- esty and human qualities of the story and the fact that it is so totally different. “Spencer Tracy’s performance ranks above everything else and his speech in the Geographical Society trial is applauded on almost every card. Hardwicke and Nancy Kelly also make definite impressions and the authentic African background and strong religious theme come in for great commendation. “Suggest you hold special conference of all concerned on how to open this as we obviously have something far greater than we an- ticipated.” Following are samples of comments made on preview cards made out by patrons: “A most unusual and altogether different picture. Should be an Academy Award winner. We thank you”. “Truly one of the greatest pictures ever filmed.” “We need more pictures like ‘Stan- ley and Livingstone’ ”. “This was the best picture I have seen this year”. “Excellent. Leave it like it is, please. Do not spoil by cutting or altering”. “It is by far the greatest of any subject ever produced. A marvelous, historical picture and great entertainment.” “You have a picture to be proud of. It was one of the most interesting films I ever hope to see”. | “Another triumph for 20th Century-Fox. One of the most impres- sive pictures I have ever seen”. “Cutting any part of this picture would hurt it rather than help it”. “If you keep on making pictures like this one you will have everybody seeing your pictures”. “The religious and historical background made the picture more interesting and the edu- cational point of view made the picture more worthwhile”. “Best pic- ture I have seen in years”. “The part taken by Spencer Tracy was out- standing, but all were so good I wouldn't know who is the best”. “It couldn’t have been better. Richard Greene and Hardwicke were al- most as good as Tracy”. “The best picture seen in years”. “The pho- tography was fine. The scenery beautiful. A truly inspiring picture”. “A perfect picture in every detail”. “Leave it just like it is”. “Best part was that it was not overdone as it could easily have been hurt, but it is excellent as it is”. “Hardwicke was as perfect in his role as Spencer Tracy”. “The entire picture is grand”. “It was the most impressive picture I have ever enjoyed”. The above excerpts are typical of the comments made in the 219 cards that had been received by Zanuck at the time this publication was being rushed to press. “FIDDLE” WORLD PREMIERE SRO! (Continued from Page Two) But, remarkable as is the personal success of Miss Healy in “Second Fiddle” she enthused most over the fact that she will be in New Orleans when the Drive meeting will be held at Landaiche’s exchange. A year ago, Mary attended her first Kent Drive meeting, for she was then secretary to the branch manager. CRITICS AGREE IT IS ONE OF THE SCREEN'S BEST MUSICALS Home Office and field are welcoming “Second Fiddle” as no other picture this season has been received. It comes at a most opportune time, at a time when every exhibitor is shouting for some extraordinarily powerful box office magnet. That “Second Fiddle” is the answer to that prayer is frankly admitted by the big circuits whose representatives have attended screenings of the production in this city. The combination of Zanuck as producer, Berlin as composer, Sonja Henie and Tyrone Power as stars, Edna May Oliver, Rudy Vallee, Lyle Talbot and Mary Healy as featured players, plus a truly fascinating and fast moving story has made “Second Fiddle” the outstanding feature of the 1939 output on the K-6 schedule. That is conceded everywhere and the business this musical is doing at the Roxy proves that. That it will hold over for a second week is not news to those in the field who, by this time, will have seen “Second Fiddle”. A third week, too, is certain and Managing Director Irving Lesser of the Roxy is counting on five weeks. He is basing this prediction on the enthusiastic comments and the fact that Sonja Henie, Tyrone Power and Rudy Vallee are definitely at their best in “Second Fiddle”. Like exhibitors, critics in New York were in agreement that this picture far excells any vehicle, in popularity properties and in entertainment qualities, anything in which any of those three people have appeared. The presence in New York of Tyrone Power late last week attracted more attention to “Second Fiddle”. Power and Mrs. Power (Annabella) left New York Saturday aboard the Italian Liner, the Rex, for a delayed honeymoon in France, Italy and England. They will be gone about six weeks, at the end of which period Power will be back to play the title role in the K-7 Technicolor super special, “Mark of Zorro”. The catchiness and irresistibility of the songs in “Second Fiddle” are stressed by the fact that outpouring crowds at the Roxy fill the air with their strains, humming, whistling or softly singing them. Insofar as the East is concerned, the tunes are over and heard everywhere. The New York critics again featured their observation that Berlin is in a class by himself. One of the feminine writers stated that “the cham- pionship of five people is safe, for ‘Second Fiddle’ stands out as the best musical comedy of the season”. She was referring to Zanuck as Hollywood’s No. 1 producer, Berlin as No. 1 composer of popular melodies, Tyrone Power as the screen’s most popular male star, Sonja Henie as No. 1 and “alone in her class”, and Rudy Vallee, the No. 1 showman among the orchestra leaders.