The Film Daily (1935)

10 » REVIEWS « Janet Gaynor in "THE FARMER TAKES A WIFE" with Henry Fonda, Charles Bickford, Slim Summerville, Jane Withers, Andy Devine (COAST PREVIEW) Fox Time not set. A SUREFIRE BOX-OFFICE ATTRACTION COMBINING MELODRAMA WITH SENTIMENT WITH NEAT EFFECT. Adapted from the stage hit, this production shapes up as a winner for general appeal. Janet Gaynor makes a humdrum portrayal click, with the usual sentimental flavor attaining powerfully melodramatic objectives. Henry Fonda, opposite Miss Gaynor handles his assignment deftly, while Charles Bickford gives a meritorious performance, dominating his scenes with facility and understanding. Slim Summerville and Andy Devine score with topnotch comedy concoctions. Victor Fleming's direction is sympathetic and well balanced. The story is woven around the Erie Canal at the time of Abraham Lincoln, with a conflict of the river against train transportation. Though the action seemed to digress a bit when previewed, a little judicious cutting should correct this detal. The camera work also is excellent. Cast: Janet Gaynor, Henry Fcnda, Charles Bickford, Slim Summerville, Jane Withers, Roger Imhcf, Andy Devine, Margaret Hamilton, Siegfried Rumann, Kitty Kelly, Robert Gleckler. Producer, Winfield Sheehan; Author, novel by Walter Edmonds and play by Marc Connelly and Frank Elser; Screen Play, Edwin Burke. Cameraman, Ernest Palmer; Editor, Harold Schuster. Direction, Aces. Photography, Best. "THE KEEPER OF THE BEES" with Neil Hamilton, Betty Furness, Emma Dunn, Hobart Bosworth i HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW) Monogram 75 mins. EXCELLENT MASS APPEAL ENTERTAINMENT INTELLIGENTLY HANDLED ALL AROUND. A fine wholesome picturization of the well known Gene Stratton Porter novel which should appeal to all types of audiences. If your customers like real down to earth entertainment, this is it. Adele Buffington's screen play and George Waggner's additional dialogue have been combined in a piece of work that contains characters who are extremely interesting, a story that is not too obvious, touches of humor and just enough sentiment to gain the desired effect without becoming gushy. Christy Cabanne's direction interprets the work beautifully, never allowing a situation to be drawn out. A word of praise must go to the entire cast, especially Edith Fellowes, the girl who wants to be a boyscout; Emma Dunn, the mother, and Neil Hamilton. Harry Neumann's photography and whoever chose the locations also deserve honors. The plot concerns Hamilton, a disabled war veteran, who is given six months to live. Starting on his good time journey, he meets Betty Furness, which in turn brings him to the sick Bee Master. Hamilton regains his health, marries, finds himself a father, performs a number of good deeds, and after many complications is united with Betty the girl he thought he had married. Supervised by Wm. T. Lackey. Cast: Neil Hamilton. Betty Furness, Emma Dunn, Edith Fellowes. Hobart Bos REPUBLIC PICTURES CONVENTION WINDUP (CINCINNATI — Two-day convention of the young Republic Pictures, which sprung from Monogram, had all the earmarks of a major meet, according to the unanimous opinion of some 150 who attended Saturday night's banquet in the Netherlands-Plaza. Arthur Bromberg of Atlanta said he had increased his grosses 138 per cent, and although the quota had been doubled for Republic he wus confident of meeting it. Gilbert Nathanson of Minneapolis promised to continue exceeding his quota just as he has been doing for six months. Clarence A. Schultz gave assurance that Kansas City would uphold its end. Oscar Hanson, general manager in Canada, said the company is in an enviable position, as no other sales force has a personal interest in its business like the Republic crew. An added advantage, he pointed out, was in having financial people who understand picture problems and are not working against the company's officials. Hanson also believes that under the new setup the company will be making more and more percentage agreements to insure just returns on pictures. Claude Ezell of Dallas spoke of his unbounded faith in the company. Nat Steinberg, who couldn't attend due to the death of a brothers-law, sent a wire from St. Louis. M. E. Morey of Boston spoke on the proper mental attitude for effective selling. Nat Lefton of Cleveland told how his exchange had to fight the exhibitor agreement against double features, thus cutting down possibilities 50 per cent, but added that the situation had been corrected. C. King Charney, general distributor for Agfa, was introduced to the delegates. Herman Gluckman, New York franchise holder, said the problem of independent distributors was an assurance of adequate and good product, and that with Republic's financing and producing and distributing setup this trouble was eliminated. worth, Helen Jerome Eddy, Marion Shilling. James Burtis, Barbara Bedford, Lafe McKee, George Cleveland, William Worthington. Producer, Trem Carr; Director, Christy Cabanne; Author, Gene Stratton Porter; Screenplay, Adele Buffington; Cameraman. Harry Neumann; Editor, Carl Pierson Direction, Fine Photography, A-l W. G. Underwood of Dallas recalled when he helped to organize Federated Exchanges, which had the same setup as Republic but failed because of poor leadership. He said the success of Monogram, and now Republic, was on the shoulders of W. Ray Johnston, and that his efforts and those of Trem Carr coordinate the work of all and give them a common destiny. Irving Mandel also paid tribute to the Johnston-Carr leadership. John Mangham of Atlanta said it took him a week to say "Fellow Republicans" as his people for generations back have been Democrats. Herman Rifkin of Boston made a short speech, saying he preferred action to dialogue. Jack Berkowitz called the Republican manpower the G-Men of the business and paid tribute to Johnston and Carr for making possible the greatest organization to be set up in the field in years. Trem Carr said plans for the new season are well under way and he expects to have five pictures shooting in two or three weeks. Norton Ritchey was seen walking on his hands down, the' main boulevard preparing for his annual dive off chiffoniers which has been one of the highlights of the closing session. Pete Friedoff, Russell Bell and Johnny Harrington drove into Cincinnati at 8:30 Thursday night all agog over the prospect of singing one of those famous "Wiener Schnitzel" songs, for which the Elizabeth Friedhoffs are so well known. The boys and girls of Republic sported special ties and kerchiefs, planned, designed and executed (but not sewn) by the Pres. — W. Ray Johnston. Walter Palase's infectious smile added much to the gayety of the Republic merry-making. C. A. Schultz was very busy renewing old friendships. Bill Underwood brought the missus along to celebrate the occasion of the first Republic convention, which incidentally is the first meeting of its kind that she has ever attended. Joe Coffman and Nat Loder got. a big kick out of the convention, particularly the singing. Claude Ezell was one of the late arrivals, getting in just in time for the opening session Friday morning. Tuesday, June 11, 193 NEWS of DAI Waynesville, N. C. — Constructs plans are being perfected for tl new theater to be built here by E. Massie at a cost of approximate $50,000, to be opened early in t' autumn. Henry I. Gaines, Ashevil architect, is designing the structu and directing its erection. Mass also has the Colonial, Canton, N. Green Bay, Wis.— T. R. Reill formerly manager of Warnei Granada and Lake in Milwauke has been named manager of Stan ard Theater Co.'s Bay Theater hei succeeding I. J. Stein, who returm to Milwaukee. Fort Worth, Tex. — A balcoi seating 240 is being added to tl Tivoli Theater, neighborhood hou managed by I. B. Adelman. Th will make the seating capacity the theater about 1,000. New ca pets and drapes also are being i stalled. All improvements are cos ing about $15,000. The Tivoli near the location of the new Inte state house which is scheduled be built for opening this fall. London, O. — Virgil Price has r opened the Princess, dark for mo than two years. Galena, O. — Merchants will spo sor free outdoor talking pictur throughout the summer month Shows will be presented every Tue day night through September. W. Payne of Columbus is in char) of the free shows. Dover, O. — Ross Spidell, manag of the State, is vacationing with h family in the west with stops Denver, Colorado Springs, Yellow stone National Park and oth points. During his absence the loc house is being managed by Chest Huprieh. Spidell expects to be goi about six weeks. Washington — Patrons of Warnei Earl Theater received a speci treat last night when the Mur Chapter, Nobles of Mystic Shrii of Indianapolis, put on a speci drill in connection with the Shrii convention activities now in fi swing here. Bank Night Spreads in Cleve. Cleveland — While a petition pending in Common Pleas Court, which Meyer Schine asks an injun tion against Bank Night at tl Haltnorth Theater, the policy spreading all over Cleveland. Ms Lefkowich has signed it for h entire circuit. A. E. Ptak also adopting it, and M. B. Horwitz extending the plan to addition houses in his circuit. j9 Blaufox Joins "Trade Review Jay D. Blaufox, publicity and ac vertising man, has joined the sta of "Showmen's Trade Review" i contact with the major companii on advertising.