Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1936 7 DEVIL'S SQUADRON SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR BOXOFFICE RATING AIR DRAMA . . . Rates with 'Ceiling Zero' as topnotch air action film of season . . . Crashes may be a bit too strong for the women, but men will love it . . . Dix gives fine performance . . . Rates • • • — for action and rural houses; slightly lower for others. Columbia 80 Minutes Richard Dix . . . Karen Morley . . . Lloyd Nolan . . . Henry Mollison . . . Shirley Ross . . . Cora Sue Collins . . . William Stelling Directed by Erie Kenton For high powered air thrills, this Columbia film has as its only rival of the current season "Ceiling Zero." Some of the most exciting action in the clouds that has ever found its way to the screen hold the spectator on seat edge. Heart halting suspense and blood chilling crashes mark "Devil's Squadron" as exceptionally good film fare for the male trade, but, perhaps, a bit too rough on the feminine nerves. Both romance and comedy are subordinated to the somewhat grim story of a man who gambled with death to prove that he was not a coward. Richard Dix is excellent as that man, endowing the role with his usual sincerity. The supporting players are competent but the film is Dix's. Certainly, where grim action is well received, "Squadron" should get well above average returns. Even in better class houses, the exciting aviation exploits will elicit enthusiastic response. PLOT: Dix is a plane test pilot, whose reputation for bravery suffers from a reputed display of cowardice during the war. He falls in love with Nolan's fiancee, Karen Morley. Several pilots are killed in test flights, among them Dix's pal. Karen's brother, afraid of the danger of crashing, takes his life shortly before he is scheduled to go up. To protect the youth's name, Dix takes his body up, then sends the plane down to crash and bails out. This act only brings more condemnation down on his head, including the contempt of Karen. When Nolan, who lacks sufficient skill, is to make a dangerous test flight, Dix blocks him and takes his place, risking the most hazardous stunts to test the plane and, finally, landing it safely. This effort wins him the love of Karen. AD TIPS: Compare it to "Ceiling Zero." Term it the most thrilling air drama since "Hell's Angels." "Devil's Squadron" suggests lobby and street ballyhoo stunts, using costumed Satans. Go after it strong; it won't disappoint them. BARTON. BOXOFFICE RATING G-MAN MELODRAMA . . . Another fair-to-middlin' gangster yarn with Gman touches . . . Satisfactory entertainment for action and rural houses, where it rates • • + ; under average in better class spots. RKO 60 Minutes Richard Dix . . . Margaret Callahan . . . Erik Rhodes . . . Owen Davis, Jr. . . . J. Carroll Naish . . . J. M. Kerrigan . . . Sheila Terry Directed by Louis King While not exactly a G-man story, this capitalizes on the cycle by making the death of one the cause for the subsequent action and bringing them in at the end to wipe out the mob. Much of the action takes place in the wide open West. The plot is routine, but contrives to hold the attention through various devices for creating suspense, such as the situation in which Dix becomes a member of the gang which he is out to trap as revenge for his brother's death at their hands. A bang-up battle between the disorganized gangsters, with the G-men joining in at the end, supplies enough gun play to satisfy fans who like this type of stuff. The romance is minor and the comedy likewise. J. Carrol Naish is again the fulfillment of the popular conception of a swarthy gang leader. Dix is adequate as the lawyer playing detective. Should get slightly better than average where the G-men angle still means something. PLOT: Dix's brother, a Government agent, is murdered by a band of gangsters. Forsaking his law practice, Dix sets out to revenge his brother's death. He locates the gang out West, ostensibly operating a mine, and through Margaret, innocent sister of Naish, the leader, learns of their activities. Causing friction in their ranks, Dix brings on a civil war, with two factions battling each other. The G-men arrive on the scene in time to complete the mop-up. Dix has fallen in love with Margaret and they plan to marry. AD TIPS: Sell this as a G-men story. There is still plenty of dough in that angle for action houses. L. J. Buy from FILM BULLETIN ADVERTISERS Case Against SVBrs. Ames Hollywood Preview BOXOFFICE RATING COURTROOM DRAMA . . . Will appeal to the women . . . Exploitation values in fact that story recalls recent headlines . . . Establishes Madeliene Carroll as definite attraction . . . Rates • • + generally. Pa ramount 67 Minutes Madeliene Carroll . . . George Brent . . . Beulah Bondi . . . Alan Mowbray . . . Arthur Treacher . . . Guy Bates Post . . . Mayo Methot . . . Esther Dale . . . Edward Brophy Directed by William A. Seiter The recent high society case over a mother's right to sole custody of her child parallels the theme of this intelligently made drama. That is an exploitation angle that should bring better than average business in spots where the exhibitor will utilize it. "Mrs. Ames" is principally a story of mother love, but the drama is relieved by some good comedy, provided chiefly by Arthur Treacher. Madeliene Carroll demonstrates that she is not only a beautiful, but a good actress as well. Her role of the young society matron is made both sympathetic and dramatic by expert trouping. George Brent is well cast as the aggressive prosecuting attorney and gives one of his more relaxed and forceful performances. Seiter 's direction is swift and the action is never allowed to lag. This is definitely a women's picture, but it has plenty of appeal for the males. PLOT: Acquitted of murdering her husband, Madeliene seeks not only to establish her innocence beyond a shadow of doubt, but also to regain the custody of her child. In this latter objective she encounters the bitter opposition of her mother-in-law, who fights to keep the child for herself. Most of the action is taken up with the running down of clues and the custody trial, which finally results in complete vindication for Madeliene. She wins her son's custody. The love interest develops between Madeliene and Brent, the prosecutor, who uncovers the facts that clear her. AD TIPS: Careful and special handling required. Play up to the women. Tic in with the recent custody CMSe aired in all newspapers. Tabloid herald will get this angle across most forcefully. HAR BLAIR (Hollywood). Additional REVIEW on next page