The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

SPECIAL FEATURES 17 Sherman Sets 1 1 Confirming his belief of increased interest in outdoor films, Harry (Bicycle Rider) Sherman has slated "The Double Dyed Deceiver,” based on one of O’Henry’s best short stories, and "The Ne’er-Do-Well,” a Rex Beach story, in addition to his six Hopalong Cassidy features, starring William Boyd for the 193 9-40 season. Sherman will also make two Zane Grey pictures and a super special based on the life of Buffalo Bill. Zanuck Carries On Continuing to heed the exhibitors’ voice against radio competition, Darryl Zanuck, who recently withdrew Tyrone Power from the air lanes, has followed through by purchasing Alice Faye’s contract which called for eight annual broadcasts. More than 1100 telegrams and letters have been received by Zanuck from exhibitors commending him for heeding their protests. Voice of the Exhibitor is what Hollywood needs to hear. See Hollywood Newsreel on previous page. John Wayne Clicks John Wayne, Ray Corrigan, and Max Terhune, Republic’s ''Three Mesquiteers,” are now before the cameras in "Heroes of the Desert.” Wayne, who clicked as the "Ringo Kid” in Walter Wanger’s "Stagecoach,” his first real opportunity to prove he was more than just another cowboy star, is slated for bigger things at Republic after completing his present schedule of three more Mesquiteers. But why wait? Lloyd Gets Liberty Columbia has slated Frank Lloyd to direct "The Tree of Liberty,” present talk of the literary world. Written by Elizabeth Page, "The Tree of Liberty” dramatically expounds the great struggle which gave birth to the American nation. This should prove a worthy contender in the present screen trend towards more Americana. The book is expected to equal or surpass "Gone With the Wind” in popularity. No Desert Sale Emphatic denial that screen rights to "The Desert Song” would be sold to another studio comes from Jack L. Warner, vice-president in charge of production at Warners. According to Warner, rumors that his studio would sell the Romberg operetta to Metro are without foundation. Live Wire Lesser Sol Lesser tells us that The American Radio Relay League has assured him of complete cooperation in the filming of the new Bobby Breen picture, "All Wires Down.” Fifty-one thousand amateur operators belong to the league. That means good exploitation tie-ups for any man’s picture. Story deals with league operators and their varied experiences on the air in times of national emergency and distress. Story is from an original idea by John Peere Miles. Triple Barrel Premiere The world premiere of Paramount’s "Union Pacific” will be held April 21 simultaneously in three Omaha, Nebraska, theatres, with the whole city participating. ADVANCE SHOTS Tip-Off to Neiv Pictures Reviews of the following pictures have been received during the past week. The advance shots are given for the benefit of out-of-the-can exhibitors, pending complete Six-Point Reviews in the next issue of the Blue Section. DARK VICTORY (Warners) — Bette Davis, George Brent, Humphrey Bogart, Henry Travers, Geraldine Fitzgerald. 106m. The dramatic yarn of a girl (Laureate Bette Davis) who has a halfyear to live, this should be a top grosser. THE 400,000,000 (Garrison) — 60m. With Fredric March reading Dudley Nichols’s commentary, this pleads the Chinese cause as did the producers’ "The Spanish Earth” did the Loyalists’. THE CASTLES (RKO-Radio) — 92m. Reuniting the Astaire-Rogers duo, putting the dancers in the roles of Irene and Vernon Castle, RKORadio has made a top-rating show for top-money grosses. THE LADY AND THE MOB (Columbia) — Fay Bainter, Ida Lupino, Lee Bowman, Henry Armetta, Warren Hymer. 6 5 m. A gangster story in reverse, this has Laureate Fay Bainter hiring a gang of crooks to catch a gang of crooks, led, it develops, by the mayor. KING OF CHINATOWN (Paramount) — Akim Tamiroff, Anna May Wong, J. Carroll Naish, Roscoe Karns, Sidney Toler. 57m. Gangsters come to Chinatown. LOVE AFFAIR (RKO-Radio)— I rene Dunne, Charles Boyer, Maria Ouspenskaya, Lee Bowman. 87m. A woman’s picture — which, too, has a masculine appeal — this drama of love, frustrated but later requited, also has plenty of sophisticated, two nice songs. SOVIET BORDER (Amkino) — E. Tiapkina, E. Fedorova, S. Krilov. 94m. Russia and Japan battle it out in a propaganda film for the primarily radical element. BACK DOOR TO HEAVEN (Paramount) — Stuart Erwin, Patricia Ellis, Wallace Ford .80m. Eastern-made Paramount release seems devoid of angles to make it attractive. Picture looms as a dualler, for lower half of such bills. THE MIKADO (Universal) — 90m. Universal’s release of the technicolor English-made picture seems destined for top grosses where proper handling of it is used. Show is a fine production throughout, with the strength of the Gilbert and Sullivan picture dependent on the boost given it through exploitation and selling angles. Kenny Baker is sole American name in the cast for selling purposes. Short subjects reviewed during the past week included the following: TAX TROUBLE (Vitaphone) — 10m. The second in the Grouch Club series is not only timely but funny. PROJECTION ROOM (Vitaphone) — 19m. Here is a pleasant musical, with a projectionroom background. GOOD SKATES (Paramount) — 10m. A routine, good Sportlight on ice skating, narrated by Ted Husing. THE UGLY DUCKLING (RKO-Radio)— 9m. The story of a disowned white duckling, as only Disney can tell it. AIR WAVES (RKO-Pathe) — 10m. The scenes, and back of them, in radio (NBC) broadcasting. A DAY AT THE ZOO (Vitaphone) — 7m. A Merrie Melody that is just that, and the whole at Leon Schlesinger’s best . THE MASTER’S TOUCH (Vitaphone)— 1 lm. Continuing "The Immortal Brush,” presented here are works of Rosetti, van Gogh in the same excellent manner as in the predecessor. Number 23 of a Series: CHARLES SEGALL Operator of 6 Philadelphia Theatres. "I have subscribed to THE PHILADELPHIA EXHIBITOR from its inception and now not only do I get it at the theatres but to make sure I have a copy on hand I subscribe from my home. I wish to say that since you changed to a weekly the changes have resulted in a real improvement — fine and colorful not only in looks but in the general set-up as well as the information it contains.” Nearly every Exhibitor reads THE EXHIBITOR! AN INVITATION Throughout 1 93 9, expressions of praise, comment, criticism or suggestion from our many Exhibitor Friends will be carried in similar form in every issue. W,e welcome the expression of every reader and will use them in the order in which they are. received. March 13, 1939 QUAD