Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

14 INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS -FILM BULLETIN -REVIEWS climax, the action is gripping, shocking and done so realistically that it fascinates the spectators. »v nile the cast lacks names that are of value on a marquee, every one of the players performs admirably. Bickford, as the escaping criminal, turns in his most handsome performance in my memory. Leslis Fenton and Frank Albertson seem to be better than ever before. Clarence Muse, Colored character actor, sings several spirituals. Director George Melford gets the most out of his situations and builds susp2iise expertly. This is a natural for action houses. If played a second day, it should do better than the first on wordof-mouth plugging. PLOT: A group of strange characters set sail on an Oriental ship. Among them is Bickford, wanted by the police. When a radio announcement advises the listeners on board that a reward is offered for him, Bickford assumes control of the ship and orders it turned around into the next port. However, a typhoon wrecks the boat and a number of the passengers land on a deserted and wild island. The wild animals, which were being shipped aboard the ship, also land on the island. One at a time, the castaways start out alone and are devoured by the lions, until, finally, only Bickford, Elizabeth Young and Frank Albertson, a couple of young lovers, are left. Albertson sends a bird away with a note, which brings a rescue plane to the island. Bickford helps them get away, while he remains as food for the lions. AD TIPS: Sell this as being one of the most thrilling films of the year. Get newspaper clippings of the story about Bickford actually being attacked by a lion during the filming and make blowups. Universal Newsreel caught the scene. Get it and use in advance. L. J. (Continued from Page 16) I DREAM TOO MUCH BOXOFFICE RATING COMEDY-ROMANCE with songs . . . Debut of Lily Pons, Met Opera singer . . . She is looker and clever actress . . . Just a so-so story and nothing much to make this outstanding . . . N. G. for action spots . . . Should get • • + in better class houses. RKO 85 Minutes Lily Pons . . . Henry Fonda . . . Eric Blore . . . Osgood Perkins . . . Lucien Littlefield . . . Directed by John Cromwell A slender thread of a story, which, at times, borders on the trite, serves to introduce Lily Pons, latest of the opera trillers to go movie. She has looks, in a petite, cute way, and can warble with the best of them, joining Grace Moore as an opera star with more than just a voice. "I Dream Too Much" emerges as better than average entertainment and should bring above average grosses in spots where she is known and where singing and light comedy are liked. There is nothing distinguished about the film, other than its star. Miss Pons capably handles two operatic arias, "Caro Nome" from "Rigoletto" and the Bell song from "Lakme," and four popular tunes by Jerome Kern. One of the latter is almost a "hot" number and was apparently inserted to prove the star's versatility. It hardly succeeds. Henry Fonda, as the young composer husband who believes himself to be a genius, does himself proud in a role which is certainly dissimilar from any he has played since coming to Hollywood. His flair for light comedy will surprise. Eric Blore is funny again in a butler role, and Osgood Perkins hands in an adroit performance as the manager. PLOT: Lily, who has a voice but no ambition for fame, meets Fonda via falling off a garden wall onto his shoulder. She wants love, excitement and babies, while he craves fame as a music composer. After she marries Fonda, success comes to Lily through a meeting with Osgood Perkins. Her hu'band refuses to play the part of lap dog and leaves her in a huff. The rest of the stcry involves straightening out the situation and it all turns out well, with Fonda's opera b^ing turned into a hit musical comedy with Lily in the lead. AD TIPS: Sell Miss Pons as a look~r and an actress, as well as a grand singer. Print circulars, leaving back page blank for patrons to write thei strangest dream, and award free tickets for best. This is gay comedy and reference to opera should be avoided wh"re this miejit hurt. See that Blore's name and face gets into n'l ads. HERING. MILLIONS IN THE AIR BOXOFFICE RATING COMEDY with Music . . . Not worth the time it takes to see . . . Inconsequential radio amateur yarn . . . Not one single outstanding virtue, except, possibly, Willie Howard's movie bow . . . Rates • +. Paramount 70 Minutes Wendy Barrie . . . Willie Howard . . . John Howard . . . Benny Baker . . . George Barbier . . . Directed by Ray McCarey For the second time Paramount attempts to cash in on the radio amateur craze (it was moderately successful with "Every Night At 8 ') and this second effort should convince them that they might have let ( Continued on Page 12) BUSINESS AND PROSPECTS WERE NEVER BETTER — MANY THANKS '%?\ Say MtiQtt #\xpn>mp here's wishing you a most convivial Christmas & a rousing New Year World's Largest Film Advertising Co. COLORADO SPRINGS New York Office: ROOM 2447, 11 W. 42nd STREET