Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1938)

%dependutt ixhibiiorj FILM BULLETIN fSUEZ' Disappointing Historical Drama Rales • • • on names and exploitation value. should have been the story premise, it is relegated to a secondary position to Hollywood Preview 20th Century-Fox 100 Minutes Tyrone Power, Loretta Young, Annabella, J. Edward Bromberg, Joseph Schildkraut, Henry Stephenson, Sidney Blackmer, Maurice Moscovich, Sig Rumann, Nigel Bruce, Miles Mander, George Zucco, Leon Ames, Rafaela Ottiano, Victor Varconi, Georges Renavent, Frank Reicher, Carlos De Valdez, Jacques Lory, Albert Conti, Brandon Hurst, Marcelle Corday, Odette Myrtle, Egon Brecher, Alphonse Martell, Montague Shaw, Leonard Mudie. Directed by Allen Dwan Because of its bigness and the drawing power of its stars, SUEZ will probably be a boxoffice success, at least in first runs. We cannot help but feel that it will send forth many a disappointed cash customer. Despite its pomp, pageantry and spectacular effects, SUEZ is a poor picture. Poor in the sense of its dramatic weaknesses. It lacks warmth, highlights and the dramatic thrills usually associated with this type of historical offering. It moves slowly and cumbersomely. Where the fascinating history of the political manipulations that went into the building of the Suez Canal make way for a form B romance notably lacking in passion or force. Tyrone Power is dreadfully miscast. The role called for an older man, a dominating, forceful personality. SUEZ disappointed this reviewer and it will hardly impress many people. Power is a French diplomat sent to Egypt to permit Louis Napoleon to marry the Countess Eugenie (Loretta Young). Here he is inspired with the idea of building the Suez Canal through the desert. Back in Paris, he approaches Napoleon with the idea, but is rebuffed. Unwittingly, he betrays his party and is rewarded with Napoleon's approval of his project. He is aided by an Egyptian Prince (J. Edward Bromberg) and the work goes forward. Napoleon's ambitions for a Prussian war and England's unwillingness to cooperate if France continues with the Canal, causes Napoleon to rescind his aid. Power goes to England, meets Disraeli and extracts from him a promise of support if his party wins the forthcoming election. Bromberg helps him keep minimum operations going, but in a devastating sand storm, Annabella, who loves him deeply, is "BROTHER RAT* Fast 3lovina Laugh Film Rales • • • — ; less for action houses. Hollywood Preview Warners 90 Minutes Priscilla Lane, Wayne Morris, Johnnie Davis, Jane Bryan, Eddie Albert, Ronald Reagan, Jane Wyman, Henry O'Neill, Gordon Oliver, Larry Williams, William Tracey, Jessie Busley, Olin Howland, Louise Beavers, Isabel Withers. Directed by William Kieghley After an enviable success on the stage, BROTHER RAT comes to the screen not quite as funny, but as one of the belter comedies of the season. The yarn, which recounts the lighter side of the famed Virginia Military Institute establishes a giddy pace in its earlier sequences and maintains it right down to the tag finish. Story has youth, pep and plenty of fun, qualities which should make it a good box office grosser. This will do better in places where it is not compared with the stage version. Action houses will get weakest returns. Things start happening at V. M. I. when his pals learn that ace pitcher Eddie Albert has been secretly married to Jane Bryan and that she is about to have a baby. Wayne Morris has bet Albert's money on the game, in which it is believed Albert's pitching will carry the school to victory. Eddie however is dazed by his forthcoming parentage and is knocked out of the box. Meanwhile, Wayne Morris tries to cover the bet by pawning everything in the room, including Albert's sabre. The commandant hears of it and it looks as if the boys are to be expelled. Jane Wyman, his daughter, persuades her father to let the boys off easily. Worries continue for Albert. Beside the baby, there is an important chemistry exam. Wyman decides to coach him and, while the others stand guard, the cramming session begins. After several narrow escapes, they are caught by the officer of the day. But Miss Wyman rises to the occasion by pointing that her father wouldn't like it, and again all is saved. Final complica MORE REVIEWS ON PAGE 19 killed. Power feels his idea is useless, but Disraeli wins and the canal is completed. At the opening ceremonies, the Empress Eugenie gives him the Legion of Honor. He points out that for his ideal he was forced to sacrifice all that was dear to him. Miss Young is agreeable in a characterization that requires very little histrionic ability. Annabella's diction has improved, but her performance is mediocre. Bromberg scores in his first entrance, but interest in his character wanes. Maurice Moscovich has a choice, but brief, part as the Viceroy of India. Miles Mander plays Disraeli to perfection, but this character, unfortunately, plays only a brief part in the story's unfoldment. Supporting players are capable, none rises to any great heights. Dwan's direction is effective in a few spots, particularly in the storm and canal building sequences. But handicapped by a story with so little dramatic movement, his megaphoning is only routine. AD TIPS: Exploit the dramatic and colorful history of the canal's conception and building. Feature Power, Young and the huge supporting cast. HANNA (Hollywood) tion comes when Albert loses a much needed sport cash award. The birth of his son eases the financial question, for he then automatically gets a fund of three hundred dollars for being the first father in his class. Highest acting honors go to Albert. He is unquestionably a "find" and if handled properly by the Warner organization, should readily meet audience favor. Morris was badly miscast as the gay, young troublemaker. He is much too stiff and slow. Priscilla Lane is overshadowed by Jane Bryan and Jane Wyman, both of whom have more sympathetic and real roles than Miss Lane. Director Kieghley keeps events moving fast and constantly interesting. AD TIPS: Refer to the Broadway hit, which ran for 2 years. Plug the young players and direct your campaign to the young people. HANNA (Hollywood) BOXOFFICE RATING: • Meant POOR; • • AVERAGE; • • • GOOD; • • • • EXCELLENT