The Film Daily (1940)

Wednesday, December 11, 1940 eMBs & £■ R€VI€UJ5 Of THE DEW flLHIS A > The Lady in Question" with Brian Aherne, Rita Hayworth, Glenn Ford, Irene Rich, George Coulouris Columbia 81 Mins. LIVELY HUMAN INTEREST DRAMA, WITH STRONG STORY. BEST SUITED FOR ADULT AUDIENCES. With the fundamental story elements which made the French film, "Heart of Paris," so successful under that title in U. S. release. Columbia has wrought a new and entertaining picture whose script deals with the court trial of a girl who is accused of murder, is acquitted chiefly through the efforts of one of the jurors, and is then befriended by this same talesman who gives her a job in the bicycle shop he operates, i and even brings her into his own household to live. There are, of course, certain complica 1 tions in the latter move since the son of the sympathetic bicycle dealer falls in love * with her. Consequently, the basic human factor is injected, namely, that many individuals can afford to be generous and noble except when a question deeply concerning their own families or themselves outcrops. There is considerable drama in the footage which finds Brian Aherne as the merchant-juror, Irene Rich as his patient spouse, Glenn Ford as their son, and Rita Hayworth as the accused "lady in question." Virtually all mature audiences will like this feature because it is different from the run-of-themine offering; is well-acted; is rich in human interest, and not wanting in humor. Charles Vidor's direction is firm and the dialogue crisp. CAST: Brian Aherne, Rita Hayworth, Glenn Ford, Irene Rich, George Coulouris, Lloyd Corrigan, Evelyn Keyes, Edward; Norris Curt Bois, Frank Reicher, Sumner Getchell, Nicholas Bela. CREDITS: Author, Marcel Achard; Screenplay, Lewis Meltzer; Director, Charles Vidor; Assistant Director, C. C. Coleman, Jr.; Director of Photography, Lucien Andriot; Film Editor, Al Clark; Art Direction, Lionel Banks; Music by Lucien Moraweck; Musical Director, M. W. Stoloff; Sound Engineer, J. S. Westmoreland. DIRECTION, Firm. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good. Shirley's First for Metro West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Shirley Temple's first picture under her Metro contract, if negotiations with her representatives are concluded, will be "Cathleen" by Kay Van Riper. At one time Metro considered the story for Virginia Weidler. Metro has bought another story for a child actress, "Mama's Angel," by Angna Enters the pantomimist. John Hyams Dies West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — John Hyams, veteran vaude performer and father of Leila Hyams, died here Monday in Hollywood Hospital. He leaves a widow, two sisters and a brother besides his daughter. "Gallant Sons" with Jackie Cooper, Bonita Granville, Gene Reynolds Metro 73 M!ns. DRAMATIC YARN WOVEN AROUND A MURDER OKAY AS OFFERING FOR SMALLER SPOTS. A cast of personable and capable kids with the support of some expert adult talent make this offering entertaining as screenfare for the smaller spots. Story itself has a good plot, but its unmasking approaches the incredible at times. There is plenty of action, a considerable amount of drama and emotional appeal, and it moves along without any hitches to a fast climax. Jackie Cooper, Bonita Granville, Gene Reynolds, Leo Gorcey, June Preisser and William Tracy handle the principal juve parts with dispatch, Reynolds doing a hangup job in a sympathetic role. Ian Hunter, Gail Patrick and Edward Ashley are effective on the adult side of the ledger, and June Preisser, El Brendel, Ferike Boros, Minor Watson and Tommy Kelly are helpful. George B. Seitz directs the picture smartly, making the kids' troubles completely understandable and their emotions realistic. Reynolds, son of Hunter, a gambler, Cooper, son of M'nor Watson, a crusading newspaper publisher, and Bonita Granville daughter of Miss Patrick, a wealthy widow and sportswoman, are schoolmates. Hunter takes the rap for a murder charge and Reynolds, inconsolable, goes to live with Gail and Bonita. Cooper and Reynolds fall out because of Watson's newspaper charges against the gambler, but Cooper determines there is more than meets the eye in the murder and starts an investigation with the help of the other kids. Ashley is eventually uncovered as the murderer, but not before lots of dramatic action and a hectic climax have transpired. CAST: Jackie Cooper, Bonita Granville, Gene Reynolds, Gail Patrick, Ian Hunter, June Preisser, Leo Gorcey, WMIiam Tracy, Tommy Kelly, Edward Ashley, El Brendel. Ferike Boros, Minor Watson, Charlotte Wynters, Donald Douglas, George Lessey. CREDITS: Producer, George Stephani; Director, George B. Seitz, Screenplay, William R. Lipman and Marion Parsonnet; Cameraman, Sidney Wagner; Editor, Ben Lewis. DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good. Metro Titles White Biog. West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — "The Sage of Emporia" will be the title of Metro's biographical film on the life of William Allen White. Studio has changed title of "Bad Man" to "Pancho Lopez, Bad Man." RKO to Serialize "Foyle" Newspaper serialization rights to "Kitty Foyle" have been obtained by RKO Radio. Serial will be supplied to key newspapers throughout the country in 24 installments. "U" Engages Broadway Actor West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Universal has engaged Leonard Elliott, who appeared on Broadway in "Family Portrait," for "Buck Privates." SHORTS * "Picture People" RKO-Pathe 10 mins. Good Hollywood Stuff This reel should interest the average audience as well as dyed-in-thewool movie fans. It reveals Carole Lombard as a director, all in fun; Gene Autry is seen at home and traveling in his luxurious trailer with his horse, Champion; Charlie McCarthy is seen taking his medical examination to join the Air Corps.; Lola Lane is seen on her ranch; and the reel also shows Richard Arlen at his airport, which he runs as a school for young pilots. Subject matter is interesting and the material has been carefully chosen and shot by Director Louise Rousseau. "Fire Chief" RKO 8 mins. Fairly Funny Donald Duck and his three nephews comprise the local fire department. The kids trick Donald with a false alarm and he makes them drill to get even. Donald accidentally sets the fire house ablaze, but it's not until the truck is several blocks away that he discovers where the fire actually is. He puts the fire out eventually, but not until the fire house and the truck have been completely wrecked through his using gasoline instead of water. Subject is a Walt Disney production in Technicolor. "Goofy's Glider" RKO 8 mins. Funny Cartoon Goofy takes up glider flying in this reel with laughable results. His first effort to take off as he reads an instruction book is very sad. At the same time a voice is heard in the background detailing instructions and explaining mishaps. Goofy continues his experiments and after considerable trouble finally takes off, but his impetus is so great he disappears from sight. Reel is a Walt Disney production in Technicolor. "Growing Up" RKO-Pathe 18 mins. Interesting Subject The Dionne quintuplets, now in their seventh year, are brought to the screen in this two-reeler in a biography that should interest audiences. It starts shortly after their birth and shows them at different stages of development from that time on. The quints are shown knitting and doing a number of other things. Dr. Allen Roy Dafoe is the narrator I for the subject, and he is certainly I qualified for the job. 26 Years of Progress ZJ wenty-sixth Anniversary and Annual Holiday number of Greater Amusements will be published under date of Dec. 20. Replete with unusual and informative features, graphically presented, this issue will mark a new high in film trade publication. Make, If 044* (le&etoMiticMtd, A/<uu GREATER AMUSEMENTS Lumber Exchange . . . Minneapolis