Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

6 INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS 'FILM BULLETIN' AS I SEE THEM . . . REVIEWS of new films By ROLAND BARTON BOXOFFICE RATING We have been requested by many exhibitors to use some simple system of indicating our rating of the boxoffice value of the films reviewed below. The "point" system of evaluation, at best, can give you only an arbitrary estimate of a picture's drawing power, so we urge you to read the entire reviews. Some pictures are particularly suitable for certain types of audiences and this must be covered in the detailed criticisms. • Means POOR • • Means AVERAGE • • • Means GOOD • • • • Means EXCELLENT Plus ( + ) and minus ( — ) will be used occasionally to indicate slightly above or below the point rating. Hollywood Preview BRIDE WALKS OUT, The BOXOFFICE RATING FARCE COMEDY . . . Smart and sprightly . . . Offers Barbara Stanwyck best part in months . . . Cast strong sales point . . . Rates • • + for class houses; * * for nabes and rurals . . . Not much for action spots. RKO 7 5 Minutes Barbara Stanwyck . . . Gene Raymond . . . Robert Young . . . Ned Sparks . . . Helen Broderick . . . Hattie McDaniels . . . Robert Warwick . . . Vivian Oakland . . . Willie Best Directed by Leigh Jason A light, romantic farce, studded with bright situations and smart dialogue. It has been amusingly directed by Leigh Jason, one of the up-and-coming young meggers, who has sustained a gay, bantering mood throughout "The Bride Walks Out." It shapes up as an above average bet for better class locations; not so strong for action spots. Barbara Stanwyck, who has never quite impressed us as one of the great dramatic actresses, here has one of her best roles in many months. She plays all her scenes with a delightful gaiety, while retaining her natural sincerity. And she has never been photographed more attractively. Gene Raymond is pleasing as the young husband, but it is Robert Young who steals the male honors with a perfectly swell portrait of a constantly inebriated young millionaire. Helen Broderick's caustic wit is a joy and Hattie McDaniels gets plenty of laughs as the Negro maid. It's a strong cast that should prove the picture's best selling point. PLOT: Barbara, after some hesitation, quits her job and marries Raymond, a poor clerk. The struggle to make ends meet proves too much for her and she secretly returns to her job. This leads to a quarrel and subsequent separation. Barbara is pursued by Young, wealthy playboy, but her heart is really with her unhappy husband. She finally quits her job again, this time for good, and returns to struggle along with Raymond as best they can. AD TIPS: Ask the question: "Should Wives Work"? Bill Stanwyck and Raymond as a grand new love team. Sell her as a "new" Barbara Stanwyck, a comedienne of the first water. HARRY BLAIR (Hollywood). Hollywood Preview DOWN TO THE SEA BOXOFFICE RATING ADVENTURE DRAMA ... A novel and interesting film angle . . . Exciting events among the sponge fishers . . . Well balanced entertainment, capably acted by good cast . . . Rates • • + for nabes and rural spots. Republic 62 Minutes Ben Lyon . . . Russell Hardie . . . Ann Rutherford . . . Irving Pichel . . . Fritz Leiber . . . Vince Barnett . . . Nigel de Brulier . . . Paul Porcasi . . . Maurice Murphy Directed by Lewis D. Collins Here is something novel. The story, while familiar in outline, takes on new values and interest by reason of the unique setting — that of the sponge reefs off the Florida keys. This business of sponge fishing is one that is unknown to the vast majority of people and it lends fascination to the unfolding of this routine story of love, rivalry and sacrifice. Most of the exteriors were actually filmed on location and are attractively photographed. The action is sustained and there are moments of high excitement. Strong love interest is blended with these in gredients to make a picture that should satisfy naborhood, action and rural audiences. The acting is first rate, with Ben Lyon and Russell Hardie taking first honors. Veterans Fritz Leiber and Irving Pichel also handle their roles expertly. If the exploitation possibilities of this unusual film are realized, it looms as a better than average attraction. PLOT: Rivalry between the sponge fishers who work from large boats in deep water with divers who fish along shore from small boats. Russell Hardie and Ben Lyon represent the two factions. Ben is the overconfident best diver in the group using power boats. Hardie champions the sponge "hookers" who work from the small boats. Both are rivals for the hand of Ann Rutherford, daughter of the sponger boss. A highlight is the competitive diving for the Golden Cross, thrown into the water by the priest at the ceremony which asks blessing on the divers in their dangerous duties. There is a murder by the browbeating captain of the poaching trawler (Irving Pichel). Lyon is suspected. The scheming captain deliberately has him hoisted up too fast from the ocean bed and he develops the dreaded "bends." Dying, he redeems himself by saving his rival to whom the girl has given her love. AD TIPS: Dress your lobby with arrangements of sponges, fishermen's nets and undersea stuff. Bill it as the first picture to truly reveal the wonders of the ocean's depths. Drug store tie-ups possible. HARRY BLAIR (Hollywood). WOMEN ARE TROUBLE BOXOFFICE RATING COMEDY-MELODRAMA . . . Yarn about reporters and gangsters follows beaten paths, but is directed with zip . . . Dialogue good for laughs . . . Will satisfy nabe and action audiences . . . Rates • •. M-G-M 60 Minutes Stuart Erwin . . . Paul Kelly . . . Florence Rice . . . Margaret Irving . . . Cy Kendall . . . John Harrington . . . Raymond Hatton . . . Harold Huber Directed by Errol Taggart The cast in this won't mean much to boxoffices generally and the story is far from novel, but both writing and direction have endowed it with a snappy pace. It's a simple yarn about a dame who wants to be a reporter and gets into the hair of a couple of old-time newshounds, until she tosses one of the prize scoops into their laps by using her