The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

THE EXHIBITOR 19 ( Continued from page 17) long term contract is the ingenue lead opposite George Montgomery in the current Shirley Temple starring vehicle, “Young People.” Universal James Craig, promising young leading man at this studio, gets a top role in “South to Karanga,” African iungle melodrama. Other principles include Charles Bickford, Luli Deste. John Sutton and Paul Hurst. Harold Schuster is director. . . . “Hot Steel,” co-starring Richard Arlen and Andy Devine, is now in the making under direction of Christy Cabanne. Anne Nagel and Peggy Moran, Universal starlets sharing leading lady honors. W anger Sonya Levien has completed the screenplay of “So Gallantly Gleaming.” scheduled for late June production. Story reveals the adventurous, romantic lives of General John C. Fremont and his adoring wife, Jessie Benton. Harvey Thew and Peter Ordway wrote the original story. Warners Featured roles in this company’s “No Time for Comedy.” which will co-star James Stewart and Rosalind Russell, go to Genevieve Tobin and Charles Ruggles. . . . “The Sentence,” now being directed by Vincent Sherman, shows George Brent and Virginia Bruce in the top spots supported by Brenda Marshall and William Lundigan. . . . “Fiesta in Manhattan” is announced as the first picture for John Garfield, following his return to Hollywood at the close of his current stage appearance in “Heavenly Express.” . . . “The Purple Heart,” a story based on the Order founded by recipients of the honor bestowed by George Washington for heroic conduct, will be filmed here as a historical feature. Original story was written by Katherine King, studio secretary. Literary Reviews Pamphlets Recent Radio Law in Review. 24 pp. Reprinted from the 1940 Radio Annual. Written by Louis Nizer, prominent member of the New York Bar and authority on radio, screen, and stage law, this pamphlet deals with the new developments in legislation concerning radio trademarks, competition, patents, copyrights, defamation, and the procedural aspects. Recent Developments in the Law of Motion Pictures. 28pp. Reprinted from the 1940 Film Daily Year Book. Another pamphlet by Louis Nizer, prominent member of the New York Bar and authority on radio, screen and stage law, this pamphlet deals with recent happenings in legislation concerning screen censorship, libel, literary property, trademarks, unfair competition, restraint of trade, patents, disparagement and inducement of breach of contract, remedies of distributor against exhibitor, author versus producer, lotteries, and negligence of theatre owner. Advance Shots On COMING REVIEWS Features MY FAVORITE WIFE (RKO-Radio). Cary Grant, Irene Dunne, Randolph Scott, Gail Patrick. 88m. Comparisons between this and “Too Many Husbands” are inevitable, because of their similarity in story content, but, regardless, “My Favorite Wife” should hike the box-office receipts to new heights for the simple reason that it has all the ingredients of sophisticated humor and zany situations one could possibly ask for. Besides the excellent jobs of director and players, bouquets must be tossed in the direction of writers Bella and Samuel Spewack for one of the most refreshing screenplays ever to be seen, and don’t forget a few huzzahs for producer Leo McCarey. It’s box office! 20 MULE TEAM (Metro). Wallace Beery, Leo Carillo, Marjorie Rambeau, Noah Beery, Jr. 83m. Weaving its horse opera threads on a loom patterned about borax prospecting, this Wallace Beery starrer gives its star an opportunity to mug all over the screen. Beery’s multitude of followers will find the picture just to their liking, but to those who just take him or leave him the film will prove another mildly entertaining saga of Death Valley. 21 DAYS TOGETHER (Columbia). Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier, Leslie Banks. 75m. The pull of the Leigh-Olivier names should be valuable to the exploitation-wise exhibitor and plenty of stress and strain should be laid on this name appeal for, apart from that, the picture is deficient in entertainment appeal for American audiences. The story is improbable, the characters unreal, and the comedy sequences are Britannically ponderous. Vivien Leigh shows up nothing at all like the gorgeous “Scarlett” whom film fans adored. On the other hand, Olivier is as good as ever, both in appearance and histrionic technique. FLIGHT ANGELS ( Warners-FN) . Virginia Bruce, Dennis Morgan, Wayne Morris, Ralph Bellamy, Jane Wyman. 74m. This wasn’t made with the idea of creating a stir at the box office, but nevertheless, it will definitely satisfy the entertainment demands of the great majority of moviegoers. Perhaps it is not strong enough to stand by itself, but spot it above a fairly strong associate feature and the result should prove quite profitable. SKY BANDITS (Monogram). James Newill, Louise Stanley, Dewey Robinson. 47m. This is the latest in the Renfrew series and proves fairly interesting even though it fails to pack the wallop that it should. It is fairish stuff done in a not too exciting manner, but not too dull either. Newill sings three songs. BRONZE BUCKAROO (Hollywood Productions). Herbert Jeffrey, Lucius Brooks. Artie Young. 58m. Patrons of colored houses are likely to go for this sepia musical oatie. May 8, 1940