Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1938)

6 9>tdependeiit EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN ?MEX WITH WINGS' Speetaeular Uoxotiice Attraction Rates • • • on exploitation value. Hollywood Previev, Paramount 105 Minutes Fred MacMurray, Ray Milland, Louise Campbell, Andy Devine, Lynn Overman, Porter Hall, Walter Abel, Kitty Kelly, Virginia Weidler, Donald O'Connor, Billy Cook, James Burke, Willard Robertson. Directed by William Wellman By no means is this the epic Paramount anticipated. Not that the studio hasn't thrown all its resources into the picture's making — it has, and the superlative production shows it. But the story itself is a loosely contrived affair, full of loopholes and lacking highlights and dramatic punch. Not the least mistake is the character written for Fred MacMurray. A cad by all the conventional rules, his role is not one to inspire any great amount of sympathy — yet the scripters expect the audience to accept him as a motivating and inspiring force behind the story. On the other hand, the film is technically superb. The air sequences, resplendent in Technicolor, are stirring and impressive dramatic pageantry. They are enormously effective and form a potent exploitation weapon. These sequences, as well as the opening scenes which depict the early days of aviation experimentation, compensate largely for the story's weaknesses. Paramount is backing this with an impressive exploitation campaign which brings us to the conclusion that MEN WITH WINGS will, despite its weaker moments, score a three point boxofftce landing. When the Wright Brothers fly the first plane in 1903, Walter Abel covers the event, but quits his job as reporter when editor Porter Hall declines to print the "unimportant" story. Abel proceeds to experiment with his own plane and is subsequently killed, an accident which is witnessed by his daughter and two young boys. The scene shifts to 1914 when the girl, Louise Campbell, helps brothers Fred MacMurray and Ray Milland build their own plane. Its success wins them jobs with an airplane manufacturer. MacMurray, who loves to fly, weary of the ground routine, goes io Europe to fly with one of the Allies. When the U. S. enters the conflict, Miss Campbell goes along, where she marries Fred. Meanwhile, Milland, has been active in the development of an air mail route. Campbell is deserted by MacMurray the night her baby is to be born. He goes to Morocco and returns with a twisted leg. He then tries to settle down in an airplane factory where Milland is superintendent. A prize is offered for a flight to Paris. Milland designs a ship which MacMurray flies and wrecks when he overshoots the field. The market crash in 1929 wipes out the company and MacMurray goes io the Orient, where he cracks up. Louise and Milland fight on, ultimately succeeding in building a bomber plane for the Army, which again starts the company off on the road to success. They celebrate at a banquet, where Campbell pays tribute to MacMurray for his efforts. MacMurray does the best he can with a weak role. He plays second fiddle Jo Ray Milland, who gets most of the sympathy. Miss Campbell's role is rather colorless, but she is one of the "finds" of the season. Faintly reminiscent of Ethel Barrymore in her heyday, the actress' voice, poise and acting ability make her a sure fire bet for future top assignments. Andy Devine, Lynne Overman and Porter Hall handle their assignments capably. Outstanding in support is Virginia Weidler, who plays Miss Campbell as a child. Wellman's direction merits great praise for his work on the air sequences, but his handling of the story lacks lustre and the human qualities which might have made this an epic. AD TIPS: Feature this as a Cavalcade of American Aviation. It's worth a big campaign. HANNA (Hollywood) 'THE CITADEL* interesting Di-ama For Class Audiences Rales • • • in class houses, * * elsewhere. Hollywood Preview M-G-M 110 Minutes Robert Donat, Rosalind Russell, Ralph Richardson, Rex Harrison, Emlyn Williams, Penelope Dudley Ward, Francis Sullivan, Mary Clare, Cecil Parker, Nora Swinburne, Edward Chapman, Athene Seyler, Felix Aylmer, Joyce Bland, Percy Parsons, Dilys Davis, Basil Gill, Joss Ambler. Directed by King Vidor This is the second of M-G-M's important British productions and a noteworthy achievement it is. From the best selling novel of the same name, there has been contrived a poignant and moving drama of the medical profession, which is both entertaining and informative. It is strong dramatic material handled superbly by King Vidor. THE CITADEL comes pre-sold in better class locations, but naborhoods and rurals will require strong exploitation if this is to get satisfactory results. Donat and Russell are good names, but lack outstanding marquee strength. Donat is a young physician, who comes to a small English town to aid a practising doctor there. He proves to be a doctor of immense possibilities and later is proposed as doctor for a mining town where group insurance pays his fees. One requirement for the post is a wife. Donat proposes and is accepted by Rosalind Russell, a young school teacher. They go together to his new position and Donat's beginning is most auspicious. When he comes to the realization that a prevalent throat ailment suffered by the miners is caused by coal dust, he begins a program of research through which he endeavors to prove that this is a disease caused by work and therefore should entitle the miners to compensation. The ignorant workers resent his experimentation and will permit him io remain only if he gives up his research. He resigns and goes to London where he meets only failure. Circumstances bring him into conflict with a former friend and fellow physician who is now enjoying an enviable practice among the wealthy classes. Donat is introduced to this type of medicine and soon ranks among the more successful. He is accomplishing nothing, but becomes smugly MORE REVIEWS ON PAGE 8 content with his increasing wealth. The realization of his position comes when his dear friend dies on the operating table, due solely to the bungling of one of Donat's associates. Following this he gambles his career to help a sick young girl. He takes her to an American lung authority, but an unlicensed physician. He assists the latter in an operation which saves the girl but which results in an inquiry by a medical board. At this hearing Donat regains his self respect when he delivers a stirring denunciation of the bungling medical practitioners who think more of ethics and fees than of saving human lives. Donat delivers a powerful and convincing performance ably aided by the attractive and capable Rosalind Russell. Ralph Richardson is outstanding in support. Emlyn Williams, Mary Clare and Rex Harrison do fine work. AD TIPS: Where the novel is not well known the exhibitor's best bet might be to stir debate on the subject of group medicine vs. private practice. Feature Donat, star of "Monte Cristo," and Russell. HANNA (Hollywood) BOXOFFICE RATING: • Means POOR; • • AVERAGE; • • • GOOD, • • • • EXCELLENT