The Film Daily (1939)

Friday, November 3, 1939 DAILY J. M. SCHENCK ADDS 20TH-FOX COMMON {Continued from Page 1) now at 31,621. He holds 555 shares of Columbia common. Keith Albse Orpheum report states John J. McCaffrey holds no equity securities directly but holds 70 shares of 7 per cent cumulative convertible preferred through H. D. Best McCaffrey Co. after acquiring 10 shares. Loew's, Inc. has added another 85 shares of Loew's Boston Theaters common stock to its holdings and now has 99,945 shares of the subsidiary company. Report of Monogram states George W. Weeks has disposed of 500 shares of common and holds 500 shares at present and 800 shares through Monogram Pictures, Inc. Weeks holds no options directly but reports 7,141 options for common through Monogram Pictures, Inc. Pathe Film Corp. report states Allan P. Kirby holds 2,100 shares of common directly and 1,000 shares through Holding Company A, 3,914 shares through Holding Company B after acquiring 3,014 shares and 600 shares through a trust. Kenneth M. Young holds no equity securities after disposing of 300 shares of common. Universal Corp. reports Nate Blumberg has acquired 200 common voting trust certificates and now holds 3,200. William Freiday holds 1,300 certificates after acquiring 100 and holds 1,500 through a holding company. Charles D. Prutzman holds 700 certificates after adding 200. Prutzman also reported holding 20 shares of Universal Pictures 8 per cent cumulative 1st preferred after acquiring 10 shares. Ascap Styled Monopoly in Philly Damage Suit (Continued from Page 1 ) suit against Ascap, claiming it to be an illegal monopoly. Ascap had brought suit for $1,500 against the Anchorage, alleging infringement. REVIEWS Of n€UJ flLfllS "Hitler, Beast of Berlin" Uncensored In Washington Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Roosevelt Theater is playing "Hitler, the Beast of Berlin" with no attempt at censorship by the authorities. Following the action of the New York censors in barring the independently produced film, the Washington News comments editorially, "We don't much like the idea of censors telling the American people what they may not see. But the idea that producers have a right to commercialize hatred — we don't like that, either. The best way would be for producers to avoid censorship of films like 'Hitler — Beast of Berlin' by simply not making them." "First Love" with Deanna Durbin, Robert Stack and Helen Parrish Universal 84 Mins. (HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW) BRIGHT AND REFRESHING DURBIN OFFERING WITH EXCELLENT DIRECTORIAL TOUCHES SHOULD BE A WINNER. The newest Deanna Durbin offering is bright and refreshing. It moves quickly with no digressions from the main story line, but it is lightweight on music for the Durbin fans who go to hear this glorious, maturing voice. "One Fine Day," from "Madame Butterfly" was both the musical and dramatic climax of the picture. The story starts with a refreshing angle. Deanna, an orphan, after graduating from a finishing school, finds herself in the luxurious atmosphere of her rich uncle's home where she is completely ignored by everyone except the servants. To Eugene Pallette, her uncle, she is just a routine matter of writing checks; to the daughter of the house, Helen Parrish, she's a pesky kid to send on errands. Deanna holds her chin up, determined to break through the icy indifference. Then she meets the object of her cousin's matrimonial plans, and the story goes off on the time-worn Cinderella scene with a bang — the ball is in a little penthouse, enormous as the Viennese castle; the coach-and four, being modern, are a corps of motorcycle cops and a limousine; even the midnight hour and the slipper were not forgotten. Complications result from this stolen pleasure, but Prince Charming, Robert Stack, finds her, of course — and they live happily ever after. In "First Love," producer Joe Pasternak has, if not a sensation, at least a winner and a melodious Durbin comedy. Excellent directorial touches of Henry Koster are noticed throughout, particularly those scenes between Deanna and her teacher, Kathleen Howard, and the first love scene between Deanna and Robert Stack. The main thread of the story was bolstered by the splendid performances of the supporting players — Kathleen Howard, as the crochety loveable teacher; Eugene Pallette presents a new type of millionaire; Lewis Howard is original as the rich man's son in a constant state of relaxation; Leatrice Joy is the scatter-brain astrologous mother; Helen Parrish is the spoiled daughter; Charles Coleman is the efficient butler; and Robert Stack is the handsome romantic interest. In spite of its toofamiliar theme, the screenplay by Bruce Manning and Lionel Houser contains many delightful touches. The musical direction by Charles Previn and orchestration by Frank Skinner were a noteworthy contribution. To art director, Jack Otterson, goes credit for the settings. CAST: Deanna Durbin, Robert Stack, Helen Parrish, Eugene Pallette, Lewis Howard, Leatrice Joy, Marcia Mae Jones, June Storey, Frank Jenks, Kathleen Howard, Thurston Hall, Samuel S. Hinds, Doris Lloyd, Charles Coleman, Jack Mulhall, Mary Treen, Dorothy Vaughan, Lucille Ward. CREDITS: Producer, Joe Pasternak; Director, Henry Koster; Screenplay, Bruce Manning and Lionel Houser; Cameraman, Joseph Valentine; Art Director, Jack Otterson; Associate, Martin Obzina; Editor, Bernard Burton; Musical Director, Charles Previn; Orchestrations, Frank Skinner. DIRECTION, Excellent. PHOTOGRAPHY, Very Good. "Our Neighbors, the Carters" with Fay Bainter, Frank Craven, Edmund Lowe, Genevieve Tobin Paramount 83 Mins. (HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW) WARM, HUMAN, APPEALING STORY WELL PLAYED SHOULD PLEASE GENERALLY. Here is a warm, human, appealing picture that should please generally. Ralph Murphy has given skillful, sympathetic direction to the trials and tribulations of the Carters, a small town family. To Charles R Rogers goes credit as the producer. The acting is splendid, with Fay Bainter, Frank Craven, Edmund Lowe and Genevieve Tobin as the chief adults, and a flock of youngsters in supporting roles. Of the youngsters, Mary Thomas is especially good, while the four other children of the Carter family also give appealing performances. The S. K. Lauren screenplay, based on Renaud Hoffman's original story, is full of human touches. For years Craven has been the town druggist in Midbury, Ohio, allowing credit to his customers and being a sympathetic neighbor. A chain drugstore system gets the lease on the store occupied by Craven and he is forced to move to other quarters. He is forced to use the $1,000 his wife, Fay Bainter, had saved to spend on expert medical care for their son, Scotty Beckett, a cripple. Craven cannot compete with the cut-rate store and accepts work as a day laborer. Lowe and his wife, Genevieve Tobin, who are childless, wealthy old friends of Craven and Fay Bainter, seek to adopt one of their children, but without success. However, Lowe gets busy and buys out Craven's competitors and again Craven is Midbury's sole druggist; also little Scotty is assured expert surgical care. CAST: Fay Bainter, Frank Craven, Edmund Lowe, Genevieve Tobin, Mary Thomas, Gloria Carter, Scotty Beckett, Bennie Bartlett, Donald Brennan, Nana Bryant, Thurston Hall, Granville Bates, Edward McWade, Norman Phillips, Frank Reicher, John Conte, Martha Mears, Olaf Hytten, Richard Clayton. CREDITS: Producer, Charles R. Rogers; Director, Ralph Murphy; Author, Renaud Hoffman; Screenplay, S. K. Lauren; Cameraman, George Barnes; Art Directors, Hans Dreier, Earl Hedrick; Editor, William Shea; Musical Director, Sigmund Krumgold; Sound, Charles Hisserich, Richard Olson. DIRECTION, Sympathetic. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good. Book by Hoadley-Freulich West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Ray Hoadley of Universal publicity department, and Roman Freulich, photographer, have written "How They Make a Motion Picture" which is being published by Thomas Crowell Co. of New York. The book is designed chiefly as a text book for schools and colleges. AUTO CRASH FATAL TO OTTO MUELLER, JR. (Continued from Page 1) of Paramount's real estate department, stood at two yesterdaye^,njuries sustained by Otto H. Mulbf'r, Jr., 45, of St. Paul, proving fatal. Mueller was in charge of maintenance for the Minnesota Amusement Co. Two other theater men injured in the accident, J. J. Ludwig, of Minneapolis, vice-president and business manager of the amusement company, and Charles C. Burton, New York City, associated with Paramount's construction department, will recover. They were reported resting easily last night in Waseka Memorial Hospital. Accident occurred when the car in which the four theater men were riding was sideswiped by a truck while en route from Minneapolis to Sioux Falls, S. D. KEEP YOUR RED CROSS ALWAYS READY Helen Chandler III Helen Chandler is a patient at the Fifth Avenue Hospital. RED CROSS ROLL CALL November 11-30, 1939 Your memberships given NOW assure aid to war sufferers, disaster relief, Braille for the blind, care of needy or disabled veterans, and First Aid and Life Saving training. Send Your Memberships to: MOTION PICTURES GROUP NEW YORK CHAPTER AMERICAN RED CROSS 315 Lexington Ave., New York