The Film Daily (1938)

Ws? Tuesday, November 8, 1938 :< :< REVIEWS Of THE l)EUJ flLflS ik ik "Thanks for the Memory" with Bob Hope, Shirley Ross, Charles Butterworth Paramount 77 Mins. (HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW) DOMESTIC LIFE COMEDY FULL OF ENTERTAINMENT; ROLLS UP HEALTHY LAUGH TOTAL. This comedy of domestic life and strife is full of entertainment. In fact, it rolls up a healthy total of laughs and guffaws and also registers some belly laughs. It is an excellent vehicle for Bob Hope and Shirley Ross. This is by far the best performance Hope has given on the screen, while Shirley also scores solidly with her work. Hope's timing for laughs is perfect and he makes every exit line count. Shirley and Hope put over a new song, "Two Sleepy People," by Hoagy Carmichael and Frank Loesser. They also sing the title song by Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin. George Archainbaud has supplied splendid direction, guiding the laughs and serious moments effectively. Mel Shauer rates much credit as associate producer. Fine performances are turned in by Otto Kruger, Patricia Wilder, Charles Butterworth, Roscoe Karns, Hedda Hopper, Laura Hope Crews, Jack Norton, William Collier, Sr., Eddie Anderson, Emma Dunn and Ed Gargan. Lynn Starling wrote a very amusing screenplay based on a play by Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich. When Shirley takes her old job as a dress model, so that hubby, Bob, can concentrate on writing his first book, things begin to happen in their household. Patricia Wilder, a Southern girl, is their neighbor and is always wandering into their home. Shirley asks her former sweetheart, Otto Kruger, a book publisher, to encourage Bob as a writer, but when she returns home she is led to believe Bob is infatuated with Patricia. In turn, Bob believes Shirley is too friendly with Kruger. When a divorce looms, Bob learns that Shirley is to have a baby and they are speedily reconciled. CAST: Bob Hope, Shirley Ross, Charles Butterworth, Otto Kruger, Hedda Hopper, Patricia Wilder, Roscoe Karns, Laura Hope Crews, William Collier, Sr., Emma Dunn, Edward Gargan, Eddie Anderson, Jack Norton. CREDITS: Associate producer, Mel Shauer; Director, George Archainbaud; Based on a play by Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich; Screenplay, Lynn Starling; Cameraman, Karl Struss; Art Directors, Hans Dreier and Franz Bachelin; Editor, Alma Ruth Macrorie; Musical director, Boris Morros; Music and lyrics: "Thanks for the Memory" by Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin; "Two Sleepy People" by Frank Loesser and Hoagy Carmichael. DIRECTION, Splendid. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good. Kendrick Rites Today Pittsburgh — Harry Kendrick, former manager of the Enright Theater in East Liberty and recently manager of Warners' theaters in Ambridge, Pa., died of pneumonia in the Valley Hospital in Sewickley, Pa. Funeral services and burial will be held from his former home in Philadelphia this afternoon. "The Arizona Wildcat" with Jane Withers, Leo Carrillo, Pauline Moore 20th Century-Fox 69 Mins. (HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW) EXCELLENT WITHERS VEHICLE IS READY-MADE FOR THE FAMILY TRADE. "The Arizona Wildcat" gives Jane Withers an excellent vehicle for her tornboyish antics. Teamed with the always lovable Leo Carrillo, they are "two of a kind" . . . and it is a toss-up as to which is the wildcat. The story is laid in Arizona about 1870 when bandits still roamed the hills. It appears that although there is a known gang of marauders on the loose, there is also something very suspicious about the justice emanating from the Sheriff's office. Jane, by a series of lucky mishaps, discovers the gold from the mine, stolen on the last raid; uncovers to her dismay the past of Carrillo, her foster-father, who was once El Gato, chief of a band of night riders; involves Carrillo, now a mail-carrier, in the hold-up. The court-room scene in which Carrillo is tried is a gem in the dispensing of justice. Jane, though the perpetrator of much of Carrillo's troubles, is also the instrument, through her mischievous tricks, whereby the guilty parties are found out. The story, from an original idea by Frances Hyland and Albert Ray, developed in the screenplay by Barry Trivers and Jerry Cady, is a neatly-woven job with excellent comedy highlighting. Herbert I. Leeds' direction packs the film with action, yet never lets that element over-balance the human interest angle. Associate producer John Stone gave the piece adequate mounting. Lucien Andriot's photography of the outdoors was especially good. The Spanish dances staged by Nicholas Castle and Geneva Sawyer and the music directed by Samuel Kaylin add zest to the background. Of the cast, impish Withers and English-garbling Carrillo were outstanding. Henry Wilcoxon as the sheriff, William Henry as the romantic foil, pretty Caroline Reid as the school teacher, Etienne Girardot as the judge who "insists that everything be legal," Douglas Fowley, Harry Woods, and Rosita Harlan — all contribute sincere and worthwhile performances. The picture is ready-made for family trade. CAST: Jane Withers, Leo Carrillo, Pauline Moore, William Henry, Henry Wilcoxon, Douglas Fowley, Etienne Girardot, Harry Woods, Rosita Harlan. CREDITS: Associate Producer, John Stone; Director, Herbert I. Leeds; Authors, Frances Hyland and Albert Ray; Screenplay, Barry Trivers and Jerry Cady; Cameraman, Lucien Andriot; Editor, Fred Allen; Art Directors, Bernard Herzbrun and Albert Hogsett; Sound, Bernard Freericks and William H. Anderson; Dances staged by Nicholas Castle and Geneva Sawyer; Musical Director, Samuel Kaylin. DIRECTION, Lively. PHOTOGRAPHY, Very Good. 6 New Filmack Trailers Chicago — Filmack Trailer Co. is releasing six new Thanksgiving special promotion trailers. "Rhythm of the Saddle" with Gene Autry Republic 57 Mins. BANG-UP WESTERN FEATURING EXCITING STAGE COACH RACE IN RODEO EVENT CLICKS STRONG. One of the best of the Autry series, with a very fast-moving plot and plenty of exciting action. Gene is foreman of the ranch owned by Peggy Moran, and on her property is being held the annual Frontier Week celebration in the form of a rodeo. A gambler and his crowd owning a rival ranch is anxious to get the contract for next year's rodeo, and his gang starts out to make the current event a fiasco. A series of "accidents" occur, and then Autry gets his pal, Smiley Burnette, to operate a recording phonograph to get a disc of the conversation of the gambler and his henchmen in the grandstand box. Burnette plants the machine underneath the grandstand, and the resulting conversation plays the deciding part in rounding up the gang and exposing their attempt to win the big stage coach race event that carries a large money prize. Gene finally wins after an exciting and gruelling race, in which he outwits the attempt of his rival to put him out of the event. Pert Kelton plays the role of the girl's aunt, who bets her fortune on the outcome of the stage coach race. Smiley Burnette supplies his usual brand of humor. Autry has been given one of the best scripts of the long series. It is well directed, and moves fast, with plenty of thrills and suspense. CAST: Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, Pert Kelton, Peggy Moran, LeRoy Mason, Arthur Loft, Ethan Laidlaw, Walter de Palma, Archie Hall, Eddie Hart, Eddie Acuff. CREDITS: Producer, Harry Grey; Director, George Sherman; Author, Paul Franklin; Editor, Lester Orlebeck; Cameraman, Jack Marta. DIRECTION, Very Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Okay. LaGuardia Warns Theaters to Obey Kiddie Admish Law Warning has been issued by Mayor F. H. La Guardia to all New York City pix theaters that they must observe strictly the law governing the admission of children. He declared a city-wide checkup is underway by Paul Moss, Commissioner of Licenses, and the police on whether theaters maintain the uniformed attendant and special reserve sections for children required by law. Extending "Buck Night" Fort Worth, Tex.— "Buck Nite," successor to Bank Nite in local theaters, which was launched fom months ago by Interstate Circuit for its downtown theaters in Fort Worth, the Hollywood, Worth, Palace, and Majestic, is being extended to the three nabes, the Parkway, Varsity and Tivoli. "Gangster's Boy" with Jackie Cooper, Lucy Gilman, Robert Warwick Monogram 80 Mini (HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW) *» GOOD PROGRAM FARE WITH ItAF GIVING FINE PERFORMANCE SHOULD DC WELL AT B. 0. This is the story of a boy who has gainec the highest honors in scholarship and ath letics, and who is considered tops amonj his fellow students, who when he is jus about to be graduated with an appointmen to West Point already his, learns, as doe the rest of the city, that his father is racketeer and gangster. Jackie Cooper give: a splendid performance as that fellow. Hi plays the role with conviction, never over playing, even though there are many spot in which he easily could have. As goo< program fare the picture should do well Robert Warwick's work is especially good and the rest of the supporting cast is ver capable. The loyalty of the boy's friends especially his pal, Tommy Wonder, and hi girl friend, Lucy Gilman, is a quality ver well handled. William Nigh directed, gain ing good results from the material, as wel as from the players, and his pace is a gooi moving one. The story was by Karl Browi and Robert Andrews with the latter con tributing the screenplay. W. T. Lacke served as associate producer to Scott Dunlap, who was in charge of production The piece shows especially fine mountin; for a reasonably budgeted production. Whe Jackie learns through the papers that hi father was a racketeer and when most o his schoolmates give him the cold shouldei he is ready to give up the class valedictor position, and also his appointment to Wes Point. The loyalty of his girl friend and hi pal help to keep his spirits up especiall when they are doing it against the wishe of their parents. A situation arises in whic Jackie takes the blame for running over man. He is shielding that pal, but when th latter confesses, the parents and student see what a fine boy Jackie is and they ar all for him. CAST: Jackie Cooper, Lucy Gilman, Rob ert Warwick, Louise Lorimer, Tommy Won der, Selmer Jackson, Bobby Stone, Bett Blythe, Bradley Metcalfe, Huntley Gordor William Gould, Jack Kennedy, Herber Evans. CREDITS: Scott R. Dunlap in charge o production; Associate producer, W. Lackey; Director, William Nigh; Productio manager, Charles Bigelow; Authors, Kai Brown and Robert Andrews; Screenplay Robert Andrews; Cameraman, Harry Neu mann; Editor, Russell Schoengarth; Sound Karl Zint; Musical director, Abe Meyer Technical director, E. R. Hickson; Music an Lyrics: "Blossoms in the Moonlight" b Edward Kay; "Stop Beatin' Round the Mul berry Bush" by Beckley Riechne and Cla Boland. DIRECTION, Fast. PHOTOGRAPHY, Ver Good. Two-Dimensional Sound Berlin (By Cable) — Two-dimen sional sound system was demon strated at the Deutsche Kinotech nische Gesellschaft.