The Exhibitor (1953)

EXHIBITOR June 3, 1953 northern Kansas. Wild Bill Elliott learns that his father has been murdered after being paid in counterfeit for his wagons. Army officials give him little satisfaction, so he decides to get justice himself, tak¬ ing a job with a trading company being run by Marjorie Lord while her brother is in the army. He eventually learns that printer Henry Rowland, store owner Keith Richards, peddler Stanford Jolley, gambler Denver Pyle, and jeweler Otto Waldis are Copperheads, and one of them is his fath¬ er’s murderer. Waldis starts to tal^;, but is killed, and his body placed in a wagon driven by Elliott, who is suspected of murder, but released in the custody of Lord by colonel Ray Walker. Later, Elliott discovers his father’s stolen wagons are in the hands of the Copperhead gang, using them to ship rifles to the south. Elliott reveals to Walker that Captain Robert Kent is the head of the gang and a traitor to the Union. When Walker tries to take Kent prisoner there is a gunfight, but, with Elliott’s help, Kent and the gang are captured. Elliott gets his property back, and plans a merger with Lord. X-Ray: Although Sid Theil’s script is rather talkie, director Thomas Carr suc¬ ceeds in injecting some of the usual out¬ door action, and the result is another western with a Civil War background. Ad Lines: “His Guns Were Loaded For One Roaring Moment Of Revenge”; “Half Renegade . . . Half Lawman . . . His Breed Roamed The West For Trouble . . . And Found It”; “Rough, Restless, And Gun¬ ning For Trouble.” The Yellow Haired Kid WES^r (Monogram) Estimate: For the lower half. Cast: Guy Madison, Andy Devine, Alan Hale, Jr., Marcia Mae Jones. Produced by Wesley Barry; directed by Frank Mc¬ Donald. Story: A dual adventure story, the first episode concerns “The Yellow-Haired Kid.” Posing as Wild Bill Hickok, he goes on a general spree of lawlessness, and the people believe Hickok has turned to a life of crime. However, the real Hickok, Guy Madisofi^ and his side kick, Andy Devine, capture the criminals. The case closed, Madison and Devine are assigned to clean up a town whose government is headed by crooked gunmen. Madison eventually gets the upper hand, and brings the badmen to justice. X-Ray: Composed of two adventures, without much elaboration of plot, this entpr has action, gunplay, and fist fights to interest the outdoor trade. The screen play is by Dwight Babcock and Maurice Tombragel. Ad Lines: “Another Wild Bill Hickok Adventure With Guy Madison”; “A Roar¬ ing Rough Western Packed With Action”; “See Wild Bill Hickok Track Down His Lawless Double.” ASTOR The Four Sided Triangle MtL0DI:““ (English-made) Estimate: Fair science fiction import for the lower half. Cast: Barbara Payton, James Hayter, Stephen Murray, John Van Eyssen, Percy Marmont, Glyn Dearman, Sean Barrett, Jennifer Dearman. Produced by Alex¬ ander Paal; directed by Terence Fisher. Story: When Barbara Payton returns from America to the little British town where she grew up, she is greeted by friendly village doctor James Hayter, who induces her to visit two of her childhood playmates, Stephen Murray and John Van Eyssen, now scientists. Murray and Van Eyssen are carrying on a big experiment in a deserted barn, and Payton becomes infused with their enthusiasm for the pro¬ ject. The boys test their new discovery, a machine which faithfully duplicates any object. They produce an exact duplicate of Hayter’s watch, creating matter out of energy. Their work finished, Van Eyssen and Payton announce their engagement, while Murray still in love with Payton, buries himself in work. Murray finds that the duplicator can reproduce living beings. With the idea of creating another Payton, he reveals his plans to Hayter. When Payton returns from the honeymoon, she reluctantly submits to the experiment while Van Eyssen is in London on busi¬ ness. Another Payton is created. Happy, Murray and the new Payton go off on a holiday together, but tension comes up between them when it is found that the new Payton also is in love with Van Eys¬ sen. Murray decides to electrically eradi¬ cate her memory, and begin afresh. The experiment is a success, but a fire breaks out in the lab. Eyssen and Hayter manage to save only one of the Paytons. The prob¬ lem is which one is it? Fortunately, Van Eyssen discovers it is his wife, the original Payton. X-Ray: This combination of strange electronic equipment and weird machines producing new human beings is loaded with exploitable angles, with Payton offering her own obvious attractions. However, the film itself is dreary and short on the ex¬ citement associated with science fiction shows. This might fit into the duallers. The novel was written by William F. Temple. Ad Lines: “A Strange And Fantastic Tale”; “He Created A Human Life”; “Through Science He Created An Exact Duplicate Of The Woman He Loved But Could Not Possess.” COLUMBIA Goldfown Ghost Riders western (574) 57m. Estimate: Routine Autry. Cast: Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, Gail Davis, Kirk Reilly, Carleton Young, Neyle Morrow, Denver Pyle, Steve Conte, John Doucette. Produced by Armand Schaefer; directed by George Archainbaud. Story: When Kirk Reilly returns after serving a sentence for murder, he kills crooked boss Carleton Young. Captured by Autry, acting as circuit judge and law enforcer, Reilly is forced to face a murder trial, and reveals that he had already served a 10-year term for killing Young. In flashback, he tells how he and Young discovered a small gold vein and evolved a plan to start a gold rush, from which they would make a profit. Young and his men, taking advantage of the local legend of ghostriders, are able to frighten pros¬ pectors into selling their claims back to Reilly, who makes more profit by reselling to new arrivals. The partners are making a healthy profit until Reilly’s daughter, Gail Davis, returns from school. Reilly then wants to go straight, but Young keeps him in the deal. Reilly tries to kill, him by blowing up a mine shaft, but Young manages to escape, while Reilly is convicted for murder. With Reilly out of the way, Carlton takes over under another name. Hearing that Young is still alive, Reilly plans his revenge when he is re¬ leased from prison. The claimholders are angry when they hear Reilly’s testimony, and Autry is forced to smuggle him out of town. Meanwhile, Young’s men follow, and Reilly is killed. X-Ray: This sepia production has all the ingredients to satisfy the outdoor fans including gun battles, fist fights, and a mysterious legend of ghost riders thrown in. Autry sings “The Thieving Burro”, “Pancho’s Widow”, and “There’s A Gold¬ mine In Your Heart.” The story and screen play were written by Gerald Geraghty. Tip On Bidding: Usual Autry price. Ad Lines: “Another Thrilling Autry Adventure In A Booming Goldtown”; “Autry Tracks Down A Band Of Mys¬ terious Ghostriders”; “He Was Tried Twice For The Murder Of The Same Man.” PARAMOUNT Comedy Forever Female (5226) Drama 93m. Estimate: Pleasing comedy drama has names to help. Cast: Ginger Rogers, William Holden, Paul Douglas, James Gleason, Jesse White, Marjorie Rambeau, George Reeves, King Donovan, Vic Perrin, Russell Gage, Marian Ross, Richard Shannon, Pat Crow¬ ley, Sally Mansfield, Kathryn GrandstafE, Rand Harper, Henry Dar Boggia, Victor Romito, Hyacinthe Railla. Produced by Pat Dudgan; directed by Irving Rapper. Story: Producer Paul Douglas, ex-hus¬ band of mature stage star Ginger Rogers, who insists on playing youthful roles, decides to produce a first play by William Holden, an idealistic fellow who does not perceive that Douglas, in changing the principal role to a girl of 29, instead of 19, in order to tailor it for Rogers, is weak¬ ening the whole structure. Pat Crowley, who aspires to a stage career, wants the principal role, and unsuccessfully chases Holden, falling in love with him. How¬ ever, Holden imagines he is in love with Rogers, and Rogers reciprocates. Mean¬ while, Douglas, always loving Rogers, stands by. The play is a flop out-of-town, and is withdrawn, but Holden decides to marry Rogers anyway after she completes a foreign tour. Holden and Douglas learn that the play is being produced in summer stock, and find Crowley a hit in the vehicle as it was originally written. Then Doug¬ las reveals to Holden that Rogers never did go abroad, but has holed up in the country for the summer to put on weight and act naturally. This leads to an under¬ standing, the play being produced as it was written. It clicks with Crowley as the young star and Rogers in the older role. Holden and Crowley clinch, and so do Douglas and Rogers. X-Ray: Based on James M. Barrie’s play, “Rosalind”, while uneven at times, this has considerable merit, and the mix¬ ture of comedy, drama, and emotional values should stand it in good stead. Cast¬ ing is high grade, with newcomer Crow¬ ley doing well with a meaty role as the young actress. Word-of-mouth is likely to help the show, and it should have attrac¬ tion for all segments of audiences. The theatre background adds to the interest, but never interferes with the dramatic content. Tip On Bidding: Better price. Ad Lines: “Meet A New Star . . . Pat Crowley”; “See Your Favorites . . . Ginger Rogers . . . William Holden . . . Paul Doug¬ las .. . Giving Love A Trying Time”; “She Threw Herself At The Fellow She Loved . . . But She Was No Match For A Gal With Experience.” 3530 Servisection 2