Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 1936 1 1 the result is a somewhat rambling mixture of romance, adventure, comedy and mystery. That the film succeeds in proving as mildly entertaining as it does may be attributed to (1) the effective handling of the mystery sequences by Director J. Walter Ruben, and (2) the adroit performance by Reginald Owen as the weird "president" of the Suicide Club, where men draw cards for the privilege to die. Remaining acting donors, whatever is left after Owen's part is considered, go to Frank Morgan. The romantic leads, Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell, neither look nor act their best. In cute curls and ruffle collar, handsome Bob looks something less than the dashing romantic hero. Miss Russell isn't photographed to best advantage and helps her role none by a sober, almost somber, expression throughout. "Trouble for Two" will attract average grosses in better class houses, but, despite a fair amount of action and suspense, will go below in action and rural spots. PLOT: Plans for the royal marriage of Montgomery and Rosalind go astray when the princess sends word with her ambassador that she will not marry "a pig in a poke." Glad to be free, Montgomery goes to London for a holiday with his guardian, Frank Morgan. They meet Rosalind on the boat, but do not know her identity. Later, they encounter her again in the "Suicide Club," operated by the exiled leader of the revolutionists of Montgomery's country. Rosalind follows them to the club and draws the card to kill Montgomery. She finally breaks down and confesses who she is. Montgomery is later trapped by the revolutionist leader, but escapes. Morgan is held their prisoner and is rescued by his royal master by a clever ruse. The couple now willingly unite their families and countries. AD TIPS: Sell Robert Louis Stevenson. Tie-up with libraries, book stores, etc. Sell to the children on this angle. Action houses should stress the mystery and suspense of the "Suicide Club." Pass out cards inviting the readers to "A Rendezvous with Death at the Suicide Club." BARTON. BELOW THE DEADLINE MELODRAMA . . . Jewel thieves vs. cops and insurance investigators . . . Sufficiency of action and clever angles make it interesting all the way . . . Lack of star names will retard it, but it rates * * for action and rural spots. Chester field -Grand National 70 Minutes Russell Hopton . . . Cecelia Parker . . . Theodore Von Eltz Directed by Charles Lamont Capably directed and enacted, this meller of daring diamond robbers who venture below what the cops have designated "the deadline" and get away with a swell haul by framing one of the cops — moves along right sprightly and affords lightweight action entertainment all the way. No stint on production values is apparent and Chesterfield can take bows for turning out an above the average programmer. For action fans there are several fights; a train wreck; cops chasing robbers; a bit of shooting, and logical sleuthing. It will get by nicely in action and rural spots. PLOT: Hopton, cop with a brogue a yard thick, in love with Parker, secretary to diamond merchant. Von Eltz's gang carefully plan robbery, playing up to Parker in advance and framing Hopton by ruse employing Parker's handwriting and his brogue. Hopton, grabbed by the cops, makes getaway; hops train, which is wrecked. He thinks fast, exchanges papers with corpse, and after siege in hospital and some face lifting emerges as his own brother out to avenge his wrong. How he succeeds and eventually wins Parker and lands Von Eltz behind bars unfolds logically and does not insult the intelligence. AD TIPS: Feature the diamond robbery angle and mention the facial surgery business. Sell if as another you can't fool the law opus. NONNIE. Hollywood Pre vie iv NAVY BORN BOXOFFICE RATING COMEDY-DRAMA . . . Simple story of three naval officers and their efforts to keep the child of a fellow officer from alien hands . . . Lacks strong names, but is pleasant entertainment for dual spots . . . Rates • • — on its own. Republic 68 Minutes William Gargan . . . Claire Dodd . . . Douglas Fowley . . . George Irving . . . Dorothy Tree . . . William Newell . . . Addison Randall . . . Paul Fix Directed by Nate Watt William Gargan, Douglas Fowley and William Newell shine in this pleasing, if unimportant, picture. It all centers around UNBIASED BOX-OFFICE REVIEWS From HOLLYWOOD AND NEW YORK ARE FOUND EVERY WEEK IN FILM BULLETIN these three navy lieutenants, who try to keep the orphaned baby of their comrade from the mother's wealthy family who had bitterly opposed the marriage. In their endeavor to keep their promise to the dead aviator, they get into all sorts of scrapes with the rich relatives, even resorting to kidnapping. Claire Dodd is the chief feminine interest and plays her usual role with less than customary zest. Dorothy Tree is clever as the flip friend of the family. There is a light sprinkling of comedy throughout the picture, which helps to relieve the tension in the more exciting scenes, as when it is discovered that the kidnapper has snatched the wrong baby. "Navy Born" will satisfy pop audiences and is good for dualling with a heavy drama. PLOT: Balked in their attempts to obtain custody of a baby born of a love marriage between their daughter and a navy man, both dead, the family of the girl resorts to all sorts of measures to take the child from the three navy men who are its guardians. The family is foiled in the end. AD TIPS: Play up the child custody angle, recently in the headlines. Action spots should plug the kidnap angle. HAR BLAIR (Hollywood). HUMAN CARGO BOXOFFICE RATING MELODRAMA . . . Another one of those yarns about an ace newspaper reporter and a society girl trying to be one — both uncovering a new smuggling racket . . . Fair action . . . Quickie in every respect and only satisfactory for action houses, where it rates • • — . 20th Century-Fox 6 5 Minutes Claire Trevor . Alan Dinehart . Rita Cansino . . Morgan Wallace Ralf Harolds . . . Brian Donlevy . . . . Ralph Morgan . . . Herman Bing . . . . . John McGuire . . . Helen Trov Directed by Allan Dwan Built to satisfy pop action audiences, this mellerdrammer of newspaper reporters, smugglers and blackmailers will get bv in such spots. There is nothing new about it, except the story angle that smugglers of humans use their knowledge to blackmail their cargo once they have landed them in this country, Principally, however, the story concerns itself with the rivalry between star reporter Brian Donlevy, who bullies his editor, and society girl Claire Trevor, who thinks reporting for a newssheet is so much excitement! They are out to get the scoops on each other, before the (Continued on page I 2 ">