Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

12 INDEPENDENT EXHIBITOR 'FILM BULLETIN" MERRITT CRAWFORD (Continued from page 4) had concluded his activities at the hearing, leaving the subcommittee not quite certain as to whether they had been hearing arguments for and against the bill, or a name-calling contest, Ed Kuykendall submitted his plan for "selfregulation." Whether this should be regarded as an additional smoke screen or just an anaesthetic, is not important. It will serve all present purposes, which apparently are mainly to postpone any legislation, which will bring real relief to the independent theatres. CHAPLIN IN RUSSIA United Artists announces that the distribution rights to Chaplin's "Modern Times" for the Soviet Union have been sold through the Amkino Corporation, their American agents, to the Soviet motion picture industry. The deal also includes Chaplin's "City Lights," and represents the first time that any of Chaplin's sound films are to be shown in the Soviet Union. It is stated that the public interest in "Modern Times" has been running high in the U. S. S. R. ever since a Soviet film delegation, headed by Boris Shumiatsky, returned from Hollywood with enthusiastic reports of the picture, which they had previewed in its unfinished form as the guests of Chaplin. All of which poses the question whether the prints provided the Soviet Union by United Artists will contain those scenes, which, it is said, were ordered eliminated from the American version by "Czar" Will H. Hays, as too strong for the delicate constitutions of American movie audiences. Mr. Hays, as indicated by his ruling on Sinclair Lewis's "It Can't Happen Here" and other recent films that tended to disclose that all was not quite as well as it might be in this "best of all possible worlds," shies away in holy horror from any attempt at satire of the current social scene. He seems to believe that the "revolution" is just around the corner. As everyone who has seen "Modern Times" knows, its social content, as it has been screened for American audiences, is quite innocuous. Its significance, if any, is solely for those sophisticated folk, who do not see eye to eye with Mr. Hays as to the merits of our present social and industrial system. For the others, "Modern Times" is just good, old-fashioned Chaplin slapstick comedy. So it may be that the Russians will be disappointed, if they find that the scenes, which the Soviet film delegation saw and which greatly enthused them, have been eliminated by the American movie "Czar." In the same announcement from United Artists, it is stated, that an invitation to Chaplin to attend the opening of "Modern Times" in Moscow, will be sent to him shortly on his trip around the world. If he accepts, perhaps the Soviet film industry might persuade him to stay awhile in Russia and make a movie there, which would not have to be edited by the Hays office. -REVIEWS (Continued from page 11) the type about whom even one, let alone three, women might make themseleves silly. Patricia Ellis is pretty bad as the girl who pleads with Brent to love her. The cast will bring this whatever results it gets. Below average will probably be its fate generally, action spots doing worst. PLOT: Playwritc Brent goes off to a cabin with his first wife, Genevieve, in an effort to complete a partially finished play. Glenda, his second wife, appears on the scene with her lawyer, Eldredge, seeking the arrest of Brent for failure to pay alimony. Patricia the author's latest flame principally through her own initiative, is on the spot to squeeze out a confession of love, which Brent dodges. The three gals quarrel about their man. Deputy sheriff Mcllugh tries to pinch Brent, but is prevented by the headwork of Genevieve. It all winds up in happiness when Kldrcdgc takes Patricia; Glenda gets a promise to receive her alimony and she woos McHugh, and Brent and Genevieve discover that they really still love each other. AD TIPS: Sell it a( farce. Give Brent, Farrell, McHugh, Tobin and Ellis equal anil prominent billing above bad title. l j Redbook Boosts New Capra-Cooper Picture Redbook Magazine gave "Mr. Deeds Goes To Town," the new Frank Capra production starring Gary Cooper, an unusual prerelease sendoff with a rave review by H. N. Swanson, critic. Swanson said of the film, "I can't guess what its chances will be for snaring the Academy Award for this year, but let me tell you, neighbor, it very definitely will be a strong contender for that honor." DOUGH NOT NUTS TO YOU! When You Play the New Riot of Fun "Doughnuts and Society" WITH A 6 STAR CAST LOUISE F A Z E N D A MAUDE E B U R N E ANN RUTHERFORD HEDDA HOPPER EDDIE NUGENT FRANKLIN PANGBORN Nuts on the Loose for 1,000 Laffs and Plenty of Dough for You! "Dunk" Into the Scrappiest, Happiest Romance of the Year and Give Yourself a Box-Office Treat! GOLD MEDAL Film Company 203 EYE STREET, N. W. Washington, D. C.