Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1936 * 1 5 What The Newspaper Critics Say: "7 SINNERS" (G-B) ". . . Vastly entertaining screen thriller . . . Smart and diverting . . . Skillfully constructed, fast-paced and exciting . . ." N. Y. HERALD-TRIBUNE. ". . . First rate thriller . . . brightly written, lively, novel and refreshing . . ." N. Y. MIRROR. ". . . Good old-fashioned melodrama brought amusingly up-to-date . . . Good fun and ranks high in entertainment value . . ." N. Y. AMERICAN. "ANTHONY ADVERSE" (Warner's) "... A teaser that will send people back to the book ... In spite of shortening of the story and telescoping of Anthony's many adventures the picture is overly long and grows tedious." N. Y. DAILY NEWS. "... A handsome and spectacular production populated with a huge cast and bulging with picaresque adventure and romance. It richly deserves one of Hollywood's favorite adjectives — colossal . . ." N. Y. HERALD-TRIBUNE. ". . . Mammoth thriller . . . handsome and absorbing . . ." N. Y. MIRROR. "TO MARY— WITH LOVE" (20th Century-Fox) "... A simple story but told in refreshingly new method . . . Smart dialogue, vivid characters, inspired direction, clever acting and the novelty of its form combine to make it a highly interesting and profoundly moving film . . ." N. Y. MIRROR. "... A sorry farrago of suburban sentimentality . . . Banana-split drama of marital felicity, indicated by a prodigious and sickening quantity of hugging and bussing on the part of Loy and Baxter, catastrophe on the inevitable emotional shoals of life, and eventual reconciliation again indicated by a crescendo of passes and sentimental goose grease between these troupers . . . Will revolt the sensibilities of even the halfjudicious . . ." N. Y. HERALD-TRIBUNE. ". . . An inherently woeful story that seems unsuited to Myrna Loy and Warner Baxter . . . It is a film sketch of the last decade the twinkling Twenties . . ." N. Y. TIMES. HOLLYWOOD IflLIIOIKIEIRS By DAVID J. HANNA Hollywood, August 25. Hollywood picture studios believe they have finally reached a working system whereby they can insure their productions against losses incurred by the sickness of players, deaths of actors, executives and other accidents which delay production. Heretofore such policies have been taken out on each production but officials figured they were costing in excess of the risk, so after conferences with Lloyds, the London insurance brokers, a blanket arrangement was worked which covers the studios for the entire season. And speaking of the famous Lloyds, Daryll Zanuck is producing a film about the famous insurance firm. Loretta Young is playing the feminine lead and Tyrone Power, Jr., who has been with the Zanuck unit but a few weeks, is replacing Don Ameche in the male lead. Bert Lytell makes his debut as a director with "Love and Laughter," which Richard Rowland is producing. Charles Starret, from Columbia, and Irene Hervey, from M-G-M, are scheduled for the leads. That grand trouper, Irene Franklin, is scheduled for an important role. She will play a burlesque queen, and from what we hear it's a swell part. Following the preview reaction to Marion Talley's initial starrer for Republic, the soprano was signed for two more musicals. Negotiations are also in progress with Michael Bartlett, who co-starred with her in "Follow Your Heart." Hoot Gibson, who was unable to get together with Walter Futter over an extension of his contract, signed with Max and Arthur Alexander for a series of eight outdoor dramas with options for four more years. The first is sched-^ uled for production during the middle of September. Rex Bell is also with the Alexanders. Negotiations are at a burning point between Metro and Paramount, the former dickering for the film rights to "The Vagabond King," which Par produced in 1930 with Jeanette McDonald and Dennis King in the leads. M-G-M want the musical romance for the McDonald-Eddy combination, and while Paramount has been considering a remake, they lack the proper duo for the singing leads. Ralph Staub, following the preview of his first directorial task, "Sitting on the Moon," was signed to a six-picture deal by Republic. His first will be "The Country Gentlemen," which will star the vaudeville comics, Olsen and Johnson. Production starts immediately. lames Edward Grant is currently working on the script of James Cagney's first G-N starrer, "The Great Guy," which Douglas MacLean will produce. No director named as yet. Bob Burns, the radio comic, who scored so decisively in "Rhythm on the Range," has been handed a contract for three pictures for Paramount at a reported sum of $60,000 apiece. Contract will run for three years. Smiley Burnette, featured comedian in the Gene Autrey Westerns, was given a seven-year optional contract this week by Republic. He recently finished "Ride, Ranger Ride." More good news about the comeback of Jack Mulhall. The old-timer was signed this week for two pictures. First is "Love Under Fire" for Sam Goldwyn, following which he goes into "Libeled Lady" at M-G-M. Bits: Fourteen-year-old Robert Rockwell has been signed to a term contract by Sol Lesser. His first will be "Wild Brian Kent" . . . Wynne Gibson signed by Columbia for "Come Closer, Folks," the Jimmy Dunn starrer . . . A remake of "Seventh Heaven" has been announced by 20th Century-Fox. Other than the fact that the sensational French actress Simone Simon has been selected for the lead, no other word has been released from the studio.