Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1936 9 DON'T TURN 'EM LOOSE — — Hollywood Pre new BOXOFFICE RATING MELODRAMA . . . Good story and fine acting by principals makes intriguing film . . . Condemnation of parole system . . . Little comedy or romance . . . Rates • • + where they like heavy melodrama. RKO 66 Minutes Lewis Stone . . . James Gleason . . . Bruce Cabot . . . Louise Latimer . . . Betty Grable . . . Grace Bradley . . . Frank M. Thomas . . . Harry Jans Directed by Ben Stoloff With the abuse of the prison parole system as its basis, this film is a strong melodrama that should satisfy audiences who like their entertainment heavy. It is vigorous stuff, bitter and somewhat sombre, and definitely aimed at the male trade. The story concerns itself with the problem of a college professor, who is a member of a parole board, and his criminal son, whom he contrives to liberate from prison through his standing on the board. The boy promises to leave the country, but on the eve of his sister's wedding he attempts a final robbery. He is about to kill a policeman when the father appears and shoots him down. Completely convincing is Lewis Stone as the upright father. A sincere, thoroughly dominating performance. Bruce Cabot gives a finely shaded, contrasting performance as the son. James Gleason is in character as a detective and Harry Jans of vaudeville fame turns in a smart bit. Ben Stoloff's direction is effective from the viewpoint that he presents his message forcefully, with diluting the main plot with extraneous romantic or comic material. AD TIPS: The picture has strong exploitation possibilities. Ask the question: "Should Criminals Be Paroled?" Stir discussion on the question by interviewing the local police clue) — or have a reporter on one of the newspapers do it. HANNA (Hollywood). STEP ON IT BOXOFFICE RATING ACTION MELLER . . . Fast with Talmadge turning in usual stunt stuff as a motorcycle cop . . . Story more logical than most of these . . . Rates • • for the cheaper action spots. Reliable 5 6 Minutes Richard Talmadge . . . Lois Wilde . . . George Walsh Directed by Henri Samuels A trifle above the average run of Talmadge stunt films, because it doesn't violate the laws of plausibility so flagrantly. It will please those who enjoy watching the daredevil do the reckless things that would kill other men. This one starts off with Talmadge as a motorcycle cop, who gets into a jam with his superior when he brings in the daughter of an influential oil magnet. The old man admires the cop's adherence to duty and looks to him to "tame her down," while also helping out at the refinery by fighting a gang of oil truck hijackers. All clean, fast action, a bit of comedy and romance for the none too fastidious. AD TIPS: Sell Talmadge as the ace of stunt men. The title suggests a tie-in with the Safe driving angle. NONNIE. OH SUSANNAH! BOXOFFICE RATING WESTERN with songs . . . Average Autry in dude ranch setting . . . Whizzing autos substituted for horses in fast action finale . . . More attention than usual to singing and music . . Rates O O for action spots. Republic 60 Minutes Gene Autry . . . Smiley Burnette . . . Frances Grant . . . Earle Hodgins . . . Boothe Howard . . . The Light Crust Doughboys Directed by Joseph Kane This is as good as the average Gene Autry epic of the outdoor, with more footage than usual devoted to the star's yodeling. In addition, there is snappy hillbilly music by The Light Crust Doughboys, well known in some spots for their radio work. "Oh Susannah!" has its fair share of action and rates to satisfy the Autry fans. The plot follows formula 6 from the western file. Howard, a killer, escapes from a sheriff's posse by jumping from horse to train. He wallops Autry, tosses him off the moving train and assumes his identity. Autry is picked up by a wandering medicine show and from there on it is a case of having the star pursuing Howard and his henchmen in an effort to clear his name. Sprinkled in the action are several Autry songs, the hot jazz of the Light Crust band and a romance. AD TIPS: Sell Autry and the Light Crust Doughboys, who are something of a radio sensation. NONNIE. Honest . . . Impartial REVIEWS You Can Trust Straight From the Shoulder Hollywood Preview BOXOFFICE RATING DRAMA . . . Lack of marquee names will hold back this finely directed and acted film . . . Appealing story of young boy's reaction to father's love affair . . . David Holt will capture fans . . . Rates * *, but should build on word-of-mouth. Paramount 6 5 Minutes David Holt . . . Ralph Bellamy . . . Andy Clyde . . . Katherine Locke . . . Noel Madison . . . Bert Hanlon Directed by Stuart Heisler This appealing story, with an outstanding performance by young David Holt, should highly please the family trade. Only its lack of important names in the cast will hold it down to fair grosses, but those who see it will be walking ads. The story, that of a boy who resents his father's romance with a young woman, is smoothly told and suspenseful to a surprising degree. There is a robbery and murder which are witnessed by the boy's father, an artist, who sketches the gangsters. To escape the wrath of the vengeful gunmen, father and son move to the country, where the romance develops. The boy's reactions under the emotional stress of feeling that he is losing his father are shrewdly and dramatically portrayed. His true colors come to the surface on the night when the gangsters come to the house and he plans a scheme for saving his father's life. It leads to a smash finale and a happy and logical conclusion. Stu.irt I [eisler does an excellent job on his first directorial assignment. The boy Holt will win sympathj and admiration by his intelligent, adult acting. Andy Clyde, erstwhile two-reeler comic, takes second honors with his performance of the girl's understanding grandfather, who wins the boy's affections. Ralph Bellamy and Katherine Locke handle their difficult roles sympathetically. AD TIPS: Sell Holt as a great young star. The question of whether a man with a child has a right to re-marry will provoke comment. The gangster angle will bring best results in action houses. HANNA (Hollywood). {Additional Reviews on page 10)