The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

14 THE EXHIBITOR Number 61 of a Series: JOHN B. SOLLENBERGER HERSHEY COMMUNITY THEATRE Hershey, Pennsylvania "I have been a subscriber to THE EXHIBITOR for a good many years and find something of outstanding interest in every issue. I particularly like the Six Point Reviews, the Shorts Parade, Production Number Analysis, and Alphabetical Guide.” Nearly every Exhibitor reads THE EXHIBITOR! AN INVITATION Throughout 1939, 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. Advance Shots On COMING REVIEWS New Pictures Tersely Cited Philadelphia — Received too late at The Exhibitor’s office here to be included in this week's Blue Section were reviews of the following pictures. These Advance Shots are given pending the publication of the next issue of the Six-Point Reviews (Blue) Section. Features DOCTOR ANTONIO (II Dottor Antonio) (Itala Films) — Ennio Cerlesi. Maria Gambarelli, Lamberto Picasso, Tina Zucchi. 103m. The Italian studios, having recently sent us a rousing spectacle like “Scipione 1’Africano,” follow through with another excellent high-budget tale, this time built around the framework of Ruffini’s account of the revolution against Ferdinand II, king of Naples. Lack of English titles limits this for exhibition, except in Italianaudience houses, where it should do a land-office business. IL CORSARO NERO (The Black Pirate) (Esperia) — Ciro Verrati, Silvana Jachino. 96m. A story of a Seventeenth Century piracy, “II Corsaro Nero” is none too deftly articulated for the looker-atter unfamiliar with Italian (there are no English subtitles), but there is plenty of action — in the forms of sword play, running street fights, and a naval encounter — to keep up the interest over the 96 minutes. (“II Corsaro Nero” is, of course, not to be confused with United Artists’ 1926 silent release of “The Black Pirate,” starring Douglas Fairbanks, pere.) MARRIED AND IN LOVE (RKORadio) — Alan Marshall, Barbara Read, Patrick Knowles, Helen Vinson. 58m. Director John Farrow and Producer Robert Sisk, both of whom have recently been upped to “A”-picture schedules, bid adieu to the comparatively low-budget with this fairly entertaining story of love which was almost thwarted. A dualler for most situations, this can receive top billing in the smaller spots where the customers like their hearts and flowers. NICK CARTER, MASTER DETECTIVE (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) — Walter Pidgeon, Rita Johnson, Henry Hull, Stanley C. Ridges, Donald Meek. 60m. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s first picture with the supersleuth, known to millions of readers, turns out to be a rattling good meller, which should fit nicely on the twin billers, thanks to a good cast, speedy direction, and plenty of action. It is a tale of spies after a military secret, with plenty of fighting, chases, etc., to satisfy the thrill fans. Shorts CHILE (Paramount — Color Cruise). 10m. Bad. “HERE’S HAL,” HAL KEMP AND ORCHESTRA IN (Paramount — Headliner) . 10m. Excellent. MILLIONAIRE HOBO. (Columbia — Phantasy). 6y2m. Bad. OUTDOOR PARTIES Columbia— Screen Snapshots, No. 3). 10m. Good. THREE SAPPY PEOPLE (ColumbiaThree Stooge Comedy). lSVfem. Excellent. UNUSUAL OCCUPATIONS, No. 2 (Paramount). 10m. Good. Our Mr. Mentlik WRITES ABOUT A FILM PARTY Dear Chief: It’s been a long time since I wrote you a letter about our social life in this neck of the woods. I’m gonna tell you what I remember of Paramount’s dinner in honor of Mary Martin, Allan Jones, and Walter Connolly, the stars of “The Great Victor Herbert.” Whereas all the other movie companies go snooping around cafe society jernts like the Rainbow Room, “21,” the 7-11 Club, the Stork, etc., Bob Gillham and Paramount Theatre’s Maclnerney trekked to the 14th Street and tossed the shindig in Luchow’s where Victor Herbert wet his mustache in foaming German beer. And into the usually quiet calm of Luchow’s went about 250 persons (Herb Berg and A1 Wilkie claim only 125 invites were sent out) who babbled on incessantly with movies as the favorite topic. The poor waiters and barkeeps, having never come across a movie crowd before, were a bit shocked at first, but they got over it. Imbibing of the refreshments while shaking hands with all and sundry was Bob Weitman, manager, Paramount. Bob’s charming missus was skipping from one end to the eatery to the other with Mrs. Roy Chartier in tow. After trying to discover who was who, chief, I gave up in disgust, because all I could see were other trade press guys like myself or fan mag writers who are always gargling something or other. Spying Pete Harrison and aide Sylvia Miller getting to work on the first course of the meal, I hopped over to their table and squatted among the aforementioned couple, Mr. and Mrs. Tom (News-Week) Wenning and the Jesse (Cue) Zunzers. Forgetting politics and social beliefs, I ate one of the best meals — German or otherwise — I’ve ever had in m’life. I ain’t kiddin’, chief, it was a terrific dinner. Allan Jones joined the table for a short while and then had to skip to smile at some other folks. However, I spotted his wife, Irene Hervey, sitting with a mob of newspaper people from Boston. She filled in for her man at our table and I went back to the Boston mob to apologize for not recognizing M. and P.’s Downing, the Herald-Traveler’s Helen Eager, and the American’s Prunella Hall, all of whom were fellow-passengers on a trip to Springfield, Illinois, not so long ago. Mary Martin had to skip early on accounta she was scheduled to do a radio broadcast for Lifebuoy Soap, Walter Connolly and his charming wife also skipped quite early. Also seen in the crowd, looking lovely and happy, was Shirley Ross. Gene Buck, president of ASCAP, was around. Ditto for Ken Dolan, Leonard Goldenson, Oscar Morgan, Rivoli’s Jimmy Dunn, and loads of others. The guy or gal who attended that little Luchow-ParamountHerbert business and didn’t like it, can offer himself or herself as exhibit A at a psychiatrist’s convention. Me, chief, I felt fine. And I did, too, come in on time the next morning. Love and kisses, LEW MENTLIK, Your New York Correspondent. December 13, 1939