Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1936 What The Newspaper Critics Say: "HIS BROTHER'S WIFE" (M-G-M) ". . . Box-office bullseye ... A romantic absurdity . . . For all its outrageous implausibility it has been smoothly directed by W. S. Van Dyke . . ." N. Y. TIMES. "The beautiful Mr. Robert Taylor, the loveliest screen hero of the season, the entrancing juvenile who causes young women to swoon and strong men to snarl in a safely old-fashioned romantic triangle that suffers from lack of vitality; and in which Mr. Taylor never forgets his charm . . ." N. Y. HERALD-TRIBUNE. ". . . Astonishingly insignificant picture with ace cast and direction . . ." N. Y. WORLD-TELEGRAM. » ::• * ::• "CHARLIE CHAN AT THE RACE TRACK (20th Century-Fox) "Without Warner Oland would be a terrible bore . . . His human and humorous characterization make the plot not only bearable but even, at times, engrossing . . ." N. Y. HERALD-TRIBUNE. ". . . Nothing to get excited about . . ." N. Y. DAILY NEWS. ". . . Wholesome film document of Charlie's umpteenth and latest adventure for the family trade . . ." N. Y. TIMES. "CHINA CLIPPER" (Warner's) ". . . Documents dramatic story of a transpacific flight . . . Adds the veriest trace of melodrama to season an epic of the commercial airways . . . O'Brien contributes a tense portrait." N. Y. TIMES. ". . . Celebrates the glories of American transPacific aviation . . . O'Brien and supporting cast give admirable performance . . ." N. Y. HERALD-TRIBUNE. "... A stunning sequel to 'Ceiling Zero' . . .'" N. Y. MIRROR. * a * » "I'D GIVE MY LIFE" (Paramount) "... A sound standardized melodramatic idea, moderately well worked out . . ." N. Y. WORLD-TELEGRAM. ". . . Tom Brown and his associates make a story which you can't quite bring yourself to believe — and above-the-a verage melodramatic photoplay . . ." N. Y. DAILY NEWS. ". . . New version of 'The Noose' fair to middling melodrama . . Performances are good . . ." N. Y. TIMES. IHCULrWCCD IF ILIIC IK IE IBS By DAVID J. HANNA Hollywood, August 18. Startling is the result of the survey made this week which showed that the number of all color pictures scheduled for next season, will be three to one over last. With the first Technicolor film came poo poos from Exhibitors and so called "smart guys," who stated that it was merely a passing fancy and would be forgotten by next season. However the cinema village is color conscious with 1 1 major films scheduled to use color on next season's product. Another interesting phase of this revolutionary stage of the industry is the fact the Indie studios were among the first to realize and accept the new process as an advantageous step forward in picture making. Which brings us around to "Tom Sawyer," which Selznick International are planning to film in color. The search is still on for the two boy leads. Practically every lad over eight in Hollywood has been tested for the roles but so far the ideal has not been found. So scouts were sent about the country this week in the hope that perhaps a "Tom" or "Huck" might be dragged from behind a Mississippi mud pile or from a Brooklyn street corner. The stage comedian, Bert Lahr, has been signed to a long term contract at Universal. His first assignment will be the top comedy role in "Top o' the Town," a musical. Vivienne Osborne is replacing Lyda Roberti in Paramount's "Champagne Waltz." Roberti figured the part was too small and walked after two days shooting. The delay was inconsequential and picture went right on. Shirley Ross was signed to a long term contract at Paramount and starts work Monday in "Hideaway Girl" opposite Lew Ayres. The torch singer was borrowed by Paramount from M.G.M. and immediately upon the expiration of her Metro contract signed her to a termer. We understand that Sol Lesser will ask the same Exhibitor percentage as R.K.O. demands with their Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers filmusicals, when he releases "Rainbow on the River," the next Bobby Breen picture. The budget on this one is the highest ever alloted by Lesser for any production. This may or may not be a smart idea for the producer, but since the kid warbler has only made one picture (which has gained some favorable audience reaction), how can any Exhibitor know whether he can do it again? Even Sam Goldwyn and a million dollars fizzled with Anna Sten on her second effort. George Jessel, who seems to wander from studio to studio in Hollywood, was signed this week by Universal on a three way ticket, producer, director and writer. The comedian planed East to look over talent for his first picture, a musical. With Carl Laemmle out of Universal, the studio has been searching around for a new trade mark. To replace the familiar plane circling the globe, the studio finally decided upon a lion, a cub. No relation to Metro's famous Leo. Jack Holt's first starrer for Larry Darmour goes into production this week. William Nigh will direct the picture, based on the Alaskan migration of seals. George R. Batcheller is moving his Chesterfield production from the R.K.O. lot to Republic. He has started his first production on the new grounds, "Missing Girls," the Martin Mooney story. Roger Pryor is starring and Phil Rosen directing. Jack Mulhall has been engaged by Radio for an important role in "Without Orders." The former star, whose bit appearances during the last year, were warmly greeted by picture audiences throughout the country, is making vast strides in his comeback and his current assignment looks to be another step along the steep climb he made once before. Universal started "Flying Hostess," and "The Luckiest Girl in the World, this week. Sol Lesser is substituting Ralph Bellamy in the title role of "Wild Brian Kent" because of delay in the return of Richard Arlen, who, after six months, is still working in "The Great Divide," a British Production.