Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1938)

^dependent (XHIBUORS FIlif BULLETIN 'COLLEGE SWING' STRONG ON NAMES BUT SPOTTY ENTERTAINMENT Rates • • + generally. -Hollywood Preview Paramount 82 Minutes George Burns, Gracie Allen, Martha Raye, Bob Hope, Edward Everett Horton, Florence George, Ben Blue, Betty Grable, Jackie Coogan, John Payne, Cecil Cunningham, Skinny Ennis, Slate Brothers, Bob Mitchell and the St. Brendan's Choristers. Directed by Raoul Waslh Bitter memories of this year's "Big Broadcast" might have been expected to serve as a warning to Paramount not to "slap together" its musicals. Apparently it did not however, for COLLEGE SWING has the same failings. Although loaded with talent, the story is a ridiculous excuse for stringing together a series of musical specialties. Individually, some of these acts are quite humorous and entertaining, but together they resemble the irritatingly aimless dialing of a radio. Outstanding in the impressive cast of performers is Gracie Allen, who, on more than one occasion rescues COLLEGE SWING from boredom. The stints performed by Martha Raye, Bob Hope and Ben Blue are disappointing. Jackie Coogan and Betty Grable are in for marquee value only. All these names will probably get SWING over for fair grosses, but word-to-mouth will not help it in the subsequent runs. Yarn opens in 1738 when for the fourth consecutive year Gracie Allen fails to win her diploma. Her wealthy father decrees that for 200 years the school shall be run until Gracie or one of her female descendents graduates. If at the end of that time no one does this. the property reverts to the family. 1938 finds Gracie still trying hard. She passes through the conniving of Bob Hope and immediately takes over the institution. A new faculty is installed and all goes completely haywire until the board of trustees handling the estate declare Grade's1 exam a fraud. She submits to a public one and almost passes until it is disclosed that Hope has been prompting her through a speaker connected to her glasses. She ends all the fuss by returning the college to whoever wants it, meanwhile winning the heart of Edward Horton, a reformed woman hater. Raoul] Walsh's direction, like his script, is sketchy and disjointed. AD TIPS: Sell the names. HANNA (Hollywood). 'THERE'S ALWAYS A WOMAN' LAUGH-CHARGED MYSTERY COMEDY Rates * • generally. Columbia 82 Minutes Joan Blondell, Melvyn Douglas, Mary Astor, Frances Drake, Jerome Cowan, Robert Paige, Thurston Hall, Pierre Watkin, Walter Kingslord, Lester Matthews Directed by Alexander Hall This is an almost continually laugh-provoking comedy of the slightly screwey variety. Joan Blondell turns in her best performance in years as the dizzy clue-hunting wife, who competes with her district attorney husband ir. the solution of a murder. Something excit ing or funny is always happening, with the laughs being injected at the most unexpected moments. Despite the surprise twists, the basic murder mystery plot is always moving relentlessly and logically to its conclusion. It is dandy entertainment for all classes and will get good returns at boxoffices everywhere. When Melvyn Douglas gives up his failing detective agency to rejoin the D. A.'s staff, Joan his wife, takes over. Her first client is Mary Astor, on whose behalf Joan falls into a murder case. Douglas is assigned the job by the D. A. and there follows an uproarious battle of wits between husband and wife. Joan, of course, solves the crime just two steps ahead of the law. Douglas is an excellent foil for Blondell's clowning. The support is great right down the line. Alexander Hall's direction is paced at airplane speed and his shrewd handling of the comedy twists makes this what it is. AD TIPS: Sell the cast and call it the season's funniest and fastest comedy. Catch line: "Mark Anthony had his Cleopatra — Napoleon, his Josephine — Romeo, his Juliet — There's always a woman!" PIX. 'UNDER WESTERN STARS' HUMDINGER, INTRODUCES ROY ROGERS Rates • • • for action spots. Republic 66 Minutes Roy Rogers, Smiley Burnette, Carol Hughes, Maple City Four, Kenneth Harlan Directed by Joe Kane Republic has again exhibited its happy faculty for creating new western stars. In Roy Rogers, this studio has pulled out of the hat another potential gold mine for the shoot'em-up houses everywhere. He is a pleasant, ingratiating and manly chap, with a crooning and speaking voice that is easy on the ears. He can act too and rides, shoots and fights with the best of them. In "Under Western Stars" Republic has given him an "A" production, with a plot off the beaten western path. It should put him in solid with all the fans immediately. Rogers, son of an ex-Congressman, gets elected to Congress and goes to Washington to fight the monopolistic water power company,, whose policy has parched the land in his district. In the capitol city, Carol Hughes, daughter of the water company president, helps Rogers push through his legislation by staging a novel western party, at which newsreels of the draught-stricken area are shown. A committee is sent west to investigate. In a whirlwind finish, Rogers saves the day by jumping from a galloping horse to divert a dynamite-laden wagon which is charging down a hill toward the dam, where the water company officials and Carol are assembled. The performances are all good. The Maple City Four provide several clever musical interludes. Joe Kane's direction is snappy and he has shrewdly blended the comedy and romance elements with the fast moving action. AD TIPS: Sell Rogers as the new singing western sensation. PIX. IMPORTANT NOTICE! IN ORDER TO COINCIDE MORE CLOSELY WITH THE ALLIED CONVENTION IN PITTSBURGH MAY 17th 18th 19th the May 7th Issue of FILM BULLETIN will be delayed one week and will appear under date of May 14th IT WILL CONTAIN MUCH MATTER OF INTEREST AND VALUE TO INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS.