Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

6 INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN' REVIEWS {Continual from page 8) Hollywood Preview CRASH DONOVAN BOXOFFICE RATING POLICE DRAMA . . . Exciting chase stuff lifts this to average program standard. Otherwise slow moving. Jack Holt the only big name. Rates: • * for action and rural spots. Universal 5 5 Minutes Jack Holt . . . John King . . . Nan Gray . . . Eddie Acuff . . . Hugh Buckler . . . Ward Bond . . . James Donlan . . . Douglas Fowley . . . Lane Chandler . . . William Tannen . . . Paul Porcasi . . . Lee Phelps Directed by William Nigh. Glorifying the motorcycle cop. Drags except in spots where there are chases and trick riding. Holt is commanding as usual in the name role. His partner is a likeable youngster, John King, who should build. Kids will go for the footage devoted to speeding cars going around sharp turns in a cloud of dust with the cops in close pursuit. Best for Saturday afternoon patronage as thin story will bore most adults. Supporting roles well played and action photography especially commendable. Should get by on strength of Holt's name. PLOT: Holt, tiring of work as a carnival stunt cyclist, joins the highway police. He proves his mettle by capturing a gang of smugglers after a thrilling gun fight. His younger side kick, King, is a likeable youngster with whom Holt's girl falls in love, when the kid is hurt in an accident. Holt is naturally resentful and when the boy is later captured by crooks he is torn between his duty and jealousy. In the end his better nature prevails and he rescues the kid by crashing through a house on a motorcycle thereby paving the way for the two youngsters to get married. AD TIPS: Invite motorcycle clubs to attend showing in a bod y thereby attracting much attention. Have motorcycle ballyhoo. Tie up with bicycle and motorcycle stores. HARRY BLAIR (Hollywood). "Finest Theatre Painting and Decorating" HARRY BRODSKY 23 15 WALNUT STREET, PHILA., PA. RITtenhousc 7828 • TRInity 1189 Hollywood Preview HEART OF THE WEST BOXOFFICE RATING WESTERN . . . Weakest of the Hopalong Cassidy series . . . Will have to get by on reputation built by previous releases . . . Rates • + for action and rural spots; less elsewhere. Paramount 60 Minutes William Boyd . . . Jimmy Ellison . . . George Hayes . . . Sydney Blackmer . . . Lynn Gabriel . . . Walter Miller . . , Fred Kohler . . . Warner Richmond Directed by Howard Bretherton. There is little entertainment in this outmoded tale of the old West which relies on stock situations and worn-out gags to get by. Boyd does the best he can with his limited material, and Jimmy Ellison carries the love interest with Lynn Gabriel, who plays the daughter of a neighboring rancher. George Hayes is good, as usual, and supplies most of the comedy with his portrayal of an old ranch hand overcome with his own importance. Director Bretherton has managed to speed up the action in spots but is handicapped. Beautiful photography is the one redeeming feature of the film. PLOT: Rustlers have invaded the ranch and made off with so much cattle that it is decided to fence the land in. The crooks resent this and try to stop the fencing, which results in several pitched battles. When this fails they resort to devious means to cheat the honest rancher out of his land and water rights. Jimmy has fallen for the rancher's pretty daughter and in the end he and Bill manage to clean up the mob and restore justice. AD TIPS: Plug this one on the strength of the popular Hopalong scries. Mention Boyd. Not much you can do otherwise. HARRY BLAIR (Hollywood). Al Adams New Republic Ad Head Al Adams, formerly with U-A and Paramount, was appointed publicity and advertising director of Republic, succeeding Ed. Finney, who resigned last week to join Grand National. FILM BULLETIN 52 ISSUES $2.00 SUBSCRIBE NOW! ABOUT PICTURES AND PEOPLE Nat Levine contracted with William Berke, independent producers, to produce a series of six Republic action features and four all-color outdoor productions. * * * Alexander Korda has signed Robert Donat to be co-starred with Marlene Dietrich in "Night Without Amour." This will be released by United Artists. * * * William A. Wellman has been signed by Selznick-International as staff director. His first assignment is "The Advon:ur2s of Tom Sawyer." * s «• Republic will make, as its first all color production, "Robin Hood." Imperial Pictures has purchased the screen rights of "Night of Crime," a mystery by Armstrong Livingston. Columbia has engaged Norman McLeod, prominent Paramount director, to megaphone "Pennies From Heaven," the Bing Crosby starring vehicle. * * The same studio placed nine year old Edith Fellows under a long term contract. 3 * * Gertrude Niesen, popular Broadway torch singer, has been signatured to a term contract by Universal. Her first role will be in "Everybody Sing^M* * * * Bob Savini's Twickenham production, "The Private Secretary," starring Edward Everett Horton is proving to be one of the most popular English importations of the season in this country. * * * One of the best looking series of single reel scenics we've come across is Captain Harold Auten's twelve "Screen Travelers." Buy from FILM BULLETIN ADVERTISERS "Not a dark house in more than 20 years of film delivery service!" NEW JERSEY MESSENGER SERVICE Member National Film Carriers' Ass'n 250 N. JUNIPER STREET, PHILA. LOCust 4181 RACE 4600