Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1938)

10 9hdependent EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN 'STATE POLICE' ROUTINE STATE TROOPER MELLER Rates • • for action houses. . Hollywood Preview Universal 60 Minutes John King. William Lundigan. Constance Moore, Larry Blake, J. Farrell MacDonald. David Oliver, Ted Osborn, Pierre Watkin, Guy Usher, Charles Wilson, Eddy Waller, Sam Flint Directed by James Rawlins With the exception of its locale, which is the Pennsylvania coal mines, there is nothing original about this unpretentious offering glorifying the state troopers. Strictly to for mula, it concerns itself with the familiar conflict of romance vs. the devotion to duty. However, there's enough fast fighting and plenty of thrills to meet the requirements of most action fans. This will slip by in that category. Lundigan, son of Pierre Watkin, is sent by him to join the state police under the care of Sergeant John King. His first move is to make a play for King's fiance, Constance Moore. Larry Blake, a gangster, moves into the coal business, which brings him and his gang into conflict with the state police. When he kills a miner there is open warfare, during which King causes Lundigan to appear a hero in his father's eye. The racketeers are forced from the area and King wins back the love of Miss Moore. King endows his role with vigor and manliness. Lundigan is excellent, while Constance Moore adequately handles the romantic element. Rawlins' direction clicks best in the melodramatic and action sequences. AD TIPS: Plug the State Trooper angle. Feature as an expose of racketeering in the coal mines. HANNA (Hollywood) 'ROLLING CARAVANS' SATISFACTORY WESTERN Rates • • for action houses. Columbia 61 Minutes John Luden, Eleanor Stewart, Harry Woods, Lafe McKee, Buzz Barton, TuHy Directed by Joseph Levering Another satisfactory western from Columbia. For added interest this one has clever performance by a well trained dog, Tuffy, and a good kid performance by Buzz Barton. Several "cowboy song" numbers are rendered nicely by un-named band of yodeling musi cians, spacing the rest of semi-historical pic, which is all action. McKee, son Barton and daughter Stewart, join rest of western community in dash for homesteads in newly opened "government strip." McKee is leader of maurauding band preying on early arrivals for the "land rush." They learn of McKee having a "treasure map" showing location of choicest parcel of land on the new strip. Foiled by timely arrival of Luden in their attempt to rob McKee, Barton and Stewart, the bad men finally get possession of the map, but are again foiled by Luden and are turned over to government authorities. Tuffy, the dog, aids in Dood's apprehension. Cast all give satisfactory performances. The dog, Tuffy, stands out in tricks he performs. Land rush scenes reminiscent of "Cimmeron" and someone deserves credit for a swell editing job. AD TIPS: Sell it as a historical western. For added Saturday matinee pull mention dog and kid. PIX. 'ARSON GANG BUSTERS' FIRE DEPARTMENT THRILLER FOR KIDS Rates • • — for action dnallers. Republic 62 Minutes Bob Livingston, Rosalind Keith, mer. Jack LaRue, Jackie Moran, son Directed by Joe Kane Warren HySelmer Jack This will get by solely in action houses and as a dualler for the Saturday matinee trade. Fire thriller has very juvenile plot; a fair cast, but weak acting; and has hardly been given a production up to recent Republic standards. Dubbed in fire scenes are poor; while studio stuff looks like the 'fake' it is. It's for the kids all the way. Bob Livingston is much happier in the saddle than here. Livingston, fireman, poses as arsonist to round up gang headed by city's leading insurance man. Keith is newspaper woman, whom he loves. Moran is dead chief's kid, whom Livingston and Hymer are raising. LaRue is boss arsonist's head stooge and Jackson is Fire Marshall. Need we add that Livingston accomplishes all he sets out to do; but not without the aid of kid, Moran. AD TIPS: Sell Livingston in new type of role. Tie up with fire department. PIX. 'PENROD'S DOUBLE TROUBLE' A WEAK JUVENILE YARN Rates • • — for duals and kid shows. -Hollywood Preview Warner Brothers 60 Minutes Billy Mauch, Bobby Mauch, Dick Purcell, Gene Lockhart, Kathleen Lockhart, Hugh O'Connell, Charles Halton, Bernice Pilot, Jackie Morrow, Phillip Hurlic Directed by Lewis Seiler To house the talents of the rapidly matur ing Mauch Twins, Warners have concocted a childish and implausible yarn of mistaken identity which fails to register along any lines. The script has been crudely written, the production is obviously "quickie," and the performances listless. For secondary duty only in the family spots. When Penrod (Billy Mauch) disappears, Hugh O'Connell, a carnival sharpster, passes off his young assistant, Bobby, as the missing boy. The ruse works — but just as O'Connell is on the verge of collecting the reward, Billy returns. He is shunted off to a mysterious house, but is eventually rescued by his young friends headed by Bobby. Gene Lockhart's portrayal of the boy's father is excellent. As for the Twins, they are too awkward for screen work at this time. Seiler's direction is dull and routine. HANNA (Hollywood) HONEST . . . IMPARTIAL REVIEWS YOU CAN TRUST