Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1936 9 situation involves the plan of Gregory Ratoff to make his protege nite club singer, Alice, famous by mixing her up with Menjou, a polluted film actor on vacation in New York. Menjou runs out on the gal and a cross-country chase ensues (recalling the recent Barrymore escapade). AD TIPS: Sell the cast as the outstanding array of comic assembled in one picture. Dress a girl in ballyhoo costume and hare her walk the streets, stopping at corners t<t sing a bit of one of the songs In selling the story, refer to the recent cross-country chase of a famous Hollywood actor. HANNA (Hollywood). MEET NERO WOLF BOXOFFICE RATING DETECTIVE COMEDY . . . Outstanding performances by Arnold and Stander and adroit direction placing accent on comedy makes this mystery good entertainment . . . Rates • • + generally. Columbia 7 2 Minutes Edward Arnold . . . Lionel Stander . . . Russell Hardie . . . Victor Jory . . . Dennie Moore . . . Joan Perry . . . John Qualen Directed by Herbert Biberman As a detective thriller, this is no great shakes, but it is grand entertainment as a mixture of comedy and detective deducing. There is far more laughs than suspense and the patrons will get far more kick out of the shrewd performances of Edward Arnold and Lionel Stander than the plot. It strikes us that Columbia has discovered a most interesting companion for Philo Vance, Perry Mason, et al, in this fellow Wolfe. True, he has his draw-backs. First, he never leaves his house, allowing his "leg man," Stander, to do all the dirty work and strong arm stuff. Arnold, as Wolfe, merely sits around drinking beer, eating or pottering around with orchids, whilst he puts the two and two that Stander unearths together and usually gets twice as much for an answer. Thus, he solves a couple of murders and directs his stooge to apprehend the killer. But, he is a most engaging fellow and even habitual whodunit fans will forgive him if he sometimes discloses a clairvoyant mind in his deductions. The dialogue is snappy and Director Biberman has cleverly made all his characters interesting thru their little idiosyn cracies. "Meet Nero Wolfe" will entertain all classes and rates slightly above average for the b. o. AD TIPS: Sell Arnold as a new type detective. Action houses should push the murder mystery angle, while other spots will get best_ results by stressing the comedy. Give plenty of space to Stander, whose recent comedy roles have won him a following. NONNIE. Hollywood Preview GIRL'S DORMITORY BOXOFFICE RATING DRAMA . . . Heavy and effective story on the order of "These Three" . . . Has sfong appeal for women, but will interest males as well . . . Acting excellent . . . Rates • • + 20th Century-Fox 63 Minutes Herbert Marshall . . . Ruth Chatterton . . . Si mo no Simon . . . Constance Collier . , . J. Edward Bromberg . . . Dixie Dunbar . . . John Qualen . . . Shirley Deane Directed by Irving Cummings This rates with "These Three" as a problem story. Handled delicately under the sensitive direction of Irving Cummings and boasting three magnificent performances by the leading payers, "Girl's Dormitory" emerges as topnotch entertainment. While its appeal is directed chiefly to women, it will prove engrossing to men as well. The film has been given a strong publicity campaign because it serves to introduce Simone Simon, talented young French actress. Her debut is laudatory, displaying extraordinary ability that promises much for her future. Between two such experienced performers as Marshall and Chatterton, who also are at their best the youg lady more than holds her own, dominating practically every scene in which she appears. She plays the role of a 14 year old girl, attendant in a Teutonic school for girls, who is secretly in love with the director, Marshall. A passionate love letter she writes to an anonymous man is discovered and the school suffers disgrace. She confesses that it was an imaginary letter written to the director, who is loved by Chatterton. Simone runs away, but is brought back by Marshall, who confesses that he loves her too. The action moves at rather a fast pace, with little footage wasted on incidental plot. It runs only 63 minutes. In the supporting cast, J. Edward Bromberg and Constance Collier are noteworthy. AD TIPS: Sell the dramatic story on sensational angles; it is juicy. Simone Simon can justly be hailed as a brilliant new discovery. Sell her strong. HANNA (Hollywood). CHARLIE CHAN AT THE RACE TRACK BOXOFFICE RATING MYSTERY . . Not up to recent Chans . . . Will barely satisfy the Oriental sleuth's fans . . . Rates • • 20th Century-Fox 70 Minutes Warner Oland . . . Keye Luke . . . Alan Dinehart Directed by H. Bruce Humberstone This is a bit below the standard set by recent Charlie Chan epics. The shrewd, ingratitating performance of Warner Oland alone saves this from being a less than interesting mystery yarn. As it is, he is on the screen most of the time and, whether he be in some foreign land, at the circus or the race track, the Chan of Oland is something to delight and entertain. This time the mystery is concerned with crooked gamblers who do the horse switching act as exposed recently in March of Time. Charlie, of course, gets his man, even if one or two of the events leading up to the capture test the elasticity of the spectator's imagination. Keye Luke, as the sleuth's son, is fast becoming an integral part of this Chan saga and this one is no exception. He has a very funny sequence with a laundry wagon that is loaded with fireworks. Alan Dinehart turns in one of his patented smoothie performances. "Chan at the Race Track" can be counted on for average grosses in the spots where they like the series. AD TIPS: Sell the popular Chan and feature his son-assistant. There is a strong angle in the race horse "fixing." Ask the question: "Are Horse Races 'Fixed' "? NONNIE. Honest . . . Impartial! REVIEWS You Can Trust