Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1938)

APRIL 23rd, 1938 1 1 What the Newspaper Critics Say THE ADVENTURES OF MARCO POLO (United Artists) ". . . It has neither conviction nor excitement . . . Mob scenes galore ... A disappointing rather than notable offering . . ." Barnes. NEW YORK HERALD TRIBUNE ". . . The picture frequently trembles on the verge of farce . . . fairly silly . . . There are also five thousand extras to make sure the spectacle lacks nothing in size." Winsten. N. Y. POST ". . . Amiable make-believe, rich in the outlandish pageantry Hollywood loves to manufacture . . . Enjoyably played . . . The usual smooth Goldwyn finish." Nugent, N. Y. TIMES "... A fast-moving, exciting Western with plenty of good oldfashioned suspense and some nice pleasant comedy thrown in . . . Keeps you on pins and needles with its thrills and excitement . . ." Boehnel, N. Y. WORLD-TELEGRAM TORCHY BLANE IN PANAMA (Warner Brothers) ". . . Trite and obvious . . . Just as thoroughly incredible as the preceding series of these adventures . . ." B. C.. N. Y. TIMES ". . . Scarcely a flicker of dramatic excitement . . . The acting goes with the story and the staging . . ." Barnes. N. Y. HERALD TRIBUNE ". . . No better than the preceding "Torchy" pictures and slightly less impressive . . . the humor is pretty weak . . ." Winsten. N. Y. POST ". . . Outrageously fantastic and silly, but it manages to become reasonably entertaining . . . The only, casualty, after all, is a loss of time . . ." Boehnel. N. Y. WORLD-TELEGRAM RETURN OF THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL (United Artists) "... A handsome production — sizable sets and crowds to match ... If you can believe it, it must be exciting . . ." Winsten. N. Y. POST ". . . High class adventure with a pleasing dash of romance . . . Causes one to shudder, sigh and cheer at intervals . . ." R. W. D.. NEW YORK HERALD TRIBUNE ". . . Same old melodrama, laid on with fine British unrestraint . . . Same as "The Scarlet Pimpernel" except change of cast . . ." B. C NEW YORK TIMES ". . . If you are in the mood for a swashbuckling romance, this will provide it for you in full measure ... A rousing yarn . . ." Boehnel. N. Y. WORLD-TELEGRAM WOMEN ARE LIKE THAT (Warner Bros.) ". . . Listless and uninteresting drama . . . Static in movement and hackneyed in speech, although it has several good performances . . ." Marsh. CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER ". . . Very pleasant and amusing fare . . . One of those genial little celluloid surprises which comes along now and then . . ." Thirer. N. Y. POST "... A lot of loose threads, pseudo smart dialogue and a clinch fadeout . . . The players work hard, with only fair results . . ." Barnes. N. Y. HERALD TRIBUNE "... A dull exposition of marital problems . . . Kay Francis is even less convincing than usual . . ." Marsh. CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER THE STADIUM MURDERS (Republic) "... A brisk little exercise in homicide . . . Nobody taking the problem too seriously . . ." Nugent. N. Y. TIMES "... A sluggish, stereotyped screen drama ... A dull time . . . Many killings, but singularly unexciting . . ." Barnes. N. Y. HERALD TRIBUNE ". . . Creepy moments . . . Nobody looks much like what he's supposed to be, but it doesn't matter . . ." Winsten, N. Y. POST FOOLS FOR SCANDAL (Warner Bros.) ". . . Singularly unfunny, although it tries awfully hard to please . . . Talented cast." H. T. M.. PHILA. EVENING LEDGER ". . . Confusing, situations are silly instead of funny . . . Even the best and most engaging duet can't give a plot to a plotless film ..." Finn. PHILA. RECORD ". . . An implausible, happily romantic tale . . . Miss Lombard seems terribly subdued . . . You can be disappointed " Winsten, NEW YORK POST PENROD AND HIS TWIN BROTHER (Warner Bros.) ". . . Pretty good entertainment . . . Enough of the gaiety and heartaches of adolescence to result in fair-to-middling fun . . ." Boehnel, N. Y. WORLD-TELEGRAM ". . . Will probably appeal to the younger generation, for whom the picture is patterned ... A pleasant adolescent story . . ." Thirer, N. Y. POST "... A well written minor league melodrama . . . Long on sentiment and should be a choice selection for the unsophisticated . . ." Barnes, N. Y. HERALD TRIBUNE ". . . Not bad entertainment of its kind . . . Designed for the juvenile trade and benevolent oldsters . . . Friendly nonsense . . ." Nugent. N. Y. TIMES STUDIO SIZE-UPS (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7) UNIVERSAL Activity has been heavy on this lot lately, although only three pictures are actually in work now. "Rage of Paris" is the most important. Danielle Darrieux gives every indication of living up to her publicity build-up. . . . There has been a slight pick-up in the name values cast for some of the forthcoming pictures, such as Victor McLaglen in "Devil's Party;" Warren William and Gail Patrick in "Suspicion," Adolphe Menjou and Edgar Bergen and his dummy in "Letter of Introduction." The programmers, however, continue to lack any name strength. . . . One of the chief weaknesses at this studio is the selection of stories. Poor judgment in this department is handicapping its chances, and the blame must be placed upon the shoulders of production head Charles Rogers. . . . "Suspicion" is a remake of a creaky old melodrama, but should do well in its field. . . . All hope here is centered on the Darrieux and BergenMcCarthy films. . . . Rumors of another executive shake-up made the rounds this week, but confirmation was not forthcoming. . . . Ken Goldsmith's option has been lifted. He will make three exploitation features. WARNER BROTHERS Only two pictures operating here, a low for the Warner organization. Production should be on the upbeat, though, in about three weeks. Ten scripts are being prepared for production within that time. Executives believe they have starring material in John Payne, who took the lead in "Garden of the Moon" when Dick Powell ankled off the lot. They're a bit optimistic, we think. . . . The Bette Davis issue is not so serious as most people are inclined to think. "Comet Over Broadway," at which she balked, has been definitely shelved and Bette either will play opposite Muni in "Maxmilliam and Carlotta" or do the star role in Bronte's "Wuthering Heights." Kay Francis' contract is up soon. She is being rushed through three features before the pact expires. That might be taken to mean that she will be dropped. Her last few pix have been anything but successful. . . . "White Banners," novel because its titles come at the end of the picture, will be roadshowed. Same may be done with "Robin Hood."