Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1941)

'SUNSET IN WYOMING' AUTRY STARRER WEAK ON ACTION Rates © • generally on Autry's name value Republic. 65 Minutes. Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, Maris Wrixon, George Cleveland, Robert Kent, Sarah Edwards, Monte Blue, Nora Lane, Dick Elliott, Stanley Blystone, Mary MacLaren, John Dilson, Helen Gibson, Lloyd Whitlock. Directed by William Morgan. Gene Autry's latest Republic special is weak on western action although the star is generous with his songs and Smiley Burnette's comedy is his most hilarious to date. "Sunset in Wyoming" — a completelymeaningless title — is lively and entertaining despite the fact that it strays too far and too often from the western plains to satisfy the dyed-in-the-wool lovers of outdoor ac tion. After a fast-moving opsning, the locale switches to a beautiful country estate with Gene and Smiley moving in and about the drawing rooms and swimming pools of the idle rich. An exciting climactic flood sequence brings the action quota close, but not quite up, to par for the film. With Autry still the nation's most popular cowboy star, his name assures this picture average grosses generally, but he should stay in the saddle in the future. With his rancher neighbors facing flood devastation due to the stripping of nearby mountains by a lumber company, Autry decides to appeal to the owner at his country estate. He finds the old man willing to start reforestation, but his wilful granddaughter < Maris Wrixon) and her fiance oppose the cowboy. Autry and the old man are forced to use various schemes to win her over even to persuading a flighty society matron to sponsor a national park project on the mountain. Their hoax about wild life on the mountain is discovered, but an engulfing flood convinces the granddaughter that she should cooperate with Autry to save the ranchers' homes. Autry still excels in the crooning division rather than at his acting chores. Smiley Burnette's slapstick antics while posing as a butler during a society reception are surefire for laughs. The lovely Maris Wrixon is a splendid choice for the role of the society girl, George Cleveland is another stand-out as the mischievous old grandfather and Sarah Edwards is amusing as an animalloving clubwoman. William Morgan's direction is only fair. LEYENDECKER 'FATHER STEPS OUT' FRESHLY NOVEL COMEDY PROGRAMMER Rates • • for small towns and naborhood duals •HOLLi^WOGD PREVIEW Monogram. 63 Minutes. Frank Albertson, Jed Prouty, Lorna Gray, Frank Faylen, John Dilson, Kathryn Sheldon, Charles Hall, John Maxwell, Mary Field, Tristram Coffin, Paul Maxey, J. Arthur Young, Gene O'Donnell. Directed by Jean Yarbrough. Monogram has come thi'ough with another excellent programmer. "Father Steps Out" is a bright little comedy that would be a credit to any producer. A story which contains some novel twists, skillful direction and a capable cast make the picture far better 'NEW WiNE' SCHUBERT MUSICAL IS WEAK DUALLER Rates • + as dualler; better in select class spots HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW United Artists. Glorif, Pictures. 83 Minutes. Ilona Massey, Alan Curtis, Binnie Barnes, Billy Gilbert, Albert Basserman, Sterling Holloway, Richard Carle, John Qualen, Barnett Parker, Sig Arno, Gilbert Emery, Marion Martin, Forrest Tucker, George O'Hanlon, Maynard Holmes, Ann Stewart, Kenneth Ferrill, St. Luke's Choristers. Directed by Reinhold Schunzel. The life of Franz Schubert has been done many times before on the screen which may account for the decision of the producers to make "New Wine" an episode in his career rather than a biography. The result is a dull, tedious photoplay of the reflections of a young girl whose interest and encouragement played a large part in the development of his talent. Interwoven are excerpts from the compoier's music — the "Serenade," the "Unfinished" and "Ave Maria" being the mazt memorable. The action drags throughout and average audiences will be quite bored by it all. Only in a few select class houses patronized by avid music lovers can this be rated any better than a feeble dual biller. Ilona Massey has slimmed down since last seen on the screen and her voice is quite good. Alan Curtis is a devastating Schubert. Next, they'll be casting George Raft as L'Aiglon! Binnie Barnes has some amusing momeits as a giddy Countess and Albert Basserman storms through the role of Beethoven. There is little to be said in behalf of the supporting memb'>rs of the cast. HANNA I Hollywood) entertainment than many of the offerings turned out by the major studios. Much of the credit for its success goes to two completely amusing tramps, played by Frank Faylen and John Dilson, whose characterizations are really priceless. F.Im should do nic2 business in small towns and as a dualler in family naborhoods. Th3 story is about a railroad president (Jed Prouty) who gains control of a rival road. A young reporter (Prank Albertson) is sent to get the low-down on the deal and poses as a doctor to induce Prouty to take him along on a vacation trip. Prouty accidentally falls from the platform of his private car almost into a hobo jungle, where he is befriended by the two tramps, who call themselves the "King of Siam" and the "Duke." They regard him as a harmless lunatic when he insists he is a railroad president. Prouty enjoys their philosophy and mulligan stew so much that he makes no effort to depart. The owners of the rival road almost wreck Prouty's business and attempt to capture and hold him prisoner until they can carry out their schemes, but Albertson and the tramps foil their plans. Prank Albertson gives a breezy performance as the reporter, and Jed Prouty handles the role of president with ease. Lorna Gray looks beautiful and is effective as the president's daughter. The balance of the cast all portray their roles capably. CRAWFORD (Hollywood) ^^^^ , Ace. »®r Hrtve W 9^1 oo^ic® , litiOS To Ricufi ALAN BAXTER • MARY CARLISLE JEROME COWAN • MICHAEL MORRIS • RALF HAROLDE PAUL PORCASI • SUZANNE KAAREN • EDDIE ACUFF Director; Joseph Kane Original Screen Ploy by lames Webb A REPUBLIC PICTURE AUGUST 9, 1941 21