The Film Daily (1942)

M<3fe Monday, October 5, 1942 TO THE COLOHSi NARMA SULAK, for the past 12 years secretary to H. C. Kaufman, manager of exchange operations for Columbia, has resigned to join the WAAC and will report to Fort Des Moines, for training immediately following a vacation in Chicago, her home town. New Orleans — MARCIA ANN BORNE, billing clerk in Warners exchange here, locally becomes the first feminine employe of the company to join the WAACS. Chicago— A. M. SUFFRIN, of the 20th-Fox branch here, has joined the Army. Treverton, Pa.— HAINES A. MILLER, formerly manager of the Ritz Theater, has been commissioned an ensign in the Navy. Indianapolis — JOHN 0. SERVASS, of the S & S Theater Corp.. has been commissioned a first Lieutenant in the U. S. Army forces. Servass graduated from the officers training school at Miami, Fla. Cleveland— BERT LEFKOWICH, son of Max Lefkowich, who, with Henry Greenberger operates the Community Circuit, has just received his pilot wings. He reports for duty at Corpus Christi. Cleveland — HAROLD SHULTIS, former assistant manager at Loew's Stillman Theater, is now stationed at the Army air base at Walla Walla. Wash. Washington Bureau of THE FILM 'DAILY Washington — GEORGE FLAX, nephew of Jake Flax, head of the local Republic Exchange, has been appointed a Second Lieutenant in the Army and reports on Oct. 5 at Camp Lee, Va. George was a salesman at the local exchange. LEON NELSON, former head checker for Warners in the "Virginia territory, has been promoted to sergeant at Camp Lee. Chicago— Lt. BRUCE TRINZ, formerly of the Trinz Theater circuit, is now stationed in West Virginia. His brother, JAMES TRINZ, formerly manager of the Clark theater i of the circuit, is now located at Lowry Field, Tex., where he has entered an officers training school. :< REVIEWS Of SHORT SUBJECT .V Memphis — B. W. HIRSH, short subject booker with Malco circuit has joined the Army. Memphis— W. T. BIGGS maintenance man with Malco Circuit has joined the Navy. Rochester— JOHN MENZIES, former assistant manager at the Century, and DOMINIC BRUNO, formerly on the Century staff, are both ac Fort Knox. Menzies is in officers training school. "Beyond the Line of Duty" (Broadway Brevity) Warners 20 Mins. Ace Attraction A picture, as long on entertainment, timeliness, and stimulating-topride as this one, rarely comes along. But seeing is believing. In "Beyond the Line of Duty" the Warners have one of the greatest shorts of this or any other season. It is socko stuff; a scoop for the producers; and a gem fo: any house in the land. The astute WB tab reel strategists got Capt. Hewitt T. Wheless, the heroic U. S. Army Air Force pilot whom President Roosevelt cited publicly in a radio address recently and to whom he awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for a stirring exploit via flying fortress action in the Philippines, to re-enact not only that exploit, but his career in military aviation. Two factors make for enormous emotional impact in the film, (1) the exemplary and natural acting ability of Capt. Wheless (Hollywood postwar talent-seekers please note), and (2) the use of President Roosevelt's verbatim description used as narration. To convey to showmen the wallop this two-reeler packs, let them visualize 20 solid minutes of genuine, history-making drama and rousing action. It discloses the running fight 'twixt the flying fortress and 18 Jap Zero fighters and the background of training which enabled Wheless and his companions to win what is easily one of the war's noteworthy engagements aloft. Audiences will revel in every scene. It's an ace American picture of an American ace! "Sweeney Steps Out" (Hollywood Novelty) Warners 10 mins. One of the Best Enormous potentialities of the short subject to portray life and human-interest values is demonstrated by this single-reeler which stars tiny Michael J. O'Donnell, with John Kieran, — author, sports writer, naturalist, and most widely-known as "expert extraordinary" of radio's "Information Please" and that program's film versions, — as the narrator. All showmen who offer tab reels to their customers are hereby advised that "Sweeney Steps Out" is headed for a place among the best shorts of the year. Any reviewer would have to be stone blind not to see the inevitability of this. Contributing evidence of film's prowess is the sensation it created in a testrun at New York's Radio City Music Hall. Extent of its human values can be gleaned by citing that it contains two of the most powerful elements which captivate the public, — a child and animals. In the top role, young O'Donnell (he's six years of age) decides one morning, very early, to run away from home, accompanied only by his little stuffed elephant, Bombo. The youngster finds himself in the Bronx Zoo, sees all sorts of | wild and not-so-wild fauna, loses Bombo, and, afraid to pick the latter up when he does discover his whereabout (the toy elephant is guarded by a fearsome bird), imagines himself jeered by the zoo denizens. It's then that the boy finds his better and braver nature, and becomes a man in heart. Triumphantly he rescues Bombo, — and all the beasts of the jungle commend him. There is much more to "Sweeney Steps Out" than a pretty pictorial, and endearing, subject matter. It is a grand study (with a moral) in child psychology. Too, it is brilliant, novel entertainment. These are some of the reasons why it's a must-booking for all stands. "Fox Pop" (Merrie Melodies Cartoon) Warners 7 mins. Clever Reel Producer Leon Schlesinger serves notice via this Technicolor reel that his 1942-43 pix are going to pack plenty of appeal to eye, ear and funny-bone. Made under the supervision of Charles M. Jones, with musical direction by Carl W. Stalling, and animation by Philip de Lara, "Fox Pop" recounts the disturbing experience of a young red fox. He hears, according to the delightful Ted Pierce script, an announcement oyer a radio to the effect that beautiful women will wear the silver fox about their necks this season. So the young red fox, his heart surcharged with romance, disguises himself as a silver fox (via a paint job) and arranges for a fox-farmer to capture him. But, like the best-laid plans of mice, Reynard's plans go cockeyed, for he hasn't figured that a fellow gets skinned in the interests of Dame Fashion. He escapes, is set upon by hounds, survives the ordeal, — and smashes to bits the deceitful radio! It's a clever, well-fashioned subject. "The Spirit of West Point" (Broadway Brevity) Warners 20 mins. Brilliant Two-Reeler Fast pace and excellent form which Warner entries are currently showing in the shorts field is maintained spectacularly via "The Spirit of West Point," — an offering every inch as appealing as companion reels in this 1942-43 series, all of which have thus far elicited rave comments from those who have seen them at press and trade screenings, as well as at certain private showings. Under the expert direction of Jean Negulesco, the sound cameras have been trained upon the U. S. Military Academy, catching in eye-filling shots the full romantic flavor of this world-famed institution. There are shots of the buildings, grounds, and magnificent vistas, thp latter threaded by the Hudson and flanking highlands. Too, there are inspiring sequences of the cadets at their training chores, parading, in physical training, on maneuvers, and participating in intercollegiate sports ' including football, lacrosse, baseball, et al. But the backbone of the two ■ . reeler is the combination of stirring j martial music supplied by the U. S. J Military Academy Band, and the I spine-tingling singing of the Cadet Chapel Choir. Theatermen and fans will profit alike wherever this^M shown, which should be everywPS "Mail Trouble" (Leon Errol Comedy) RKO Radio 18 mins. Fair Comedy Errol fans will find this one on a par with predecessors of the series with respect to laughs. The annoyed Leon doesn't like the botanical hobby of his father-in-law who clutters up the house with all sorts of potted plants. A good opportunity to get rid of the offender presents itself in a matrimonial agency, to which Errol writes for a spouse. But before the letter can get off, the father-in-law secretly inserts Errol's photograph and removes his own. Of course the prospective bride arrives and raises cane with the marital relations of Leon. But all is straightened out in the end, — the culprit receiving a good lesson. Film is fair comedy, often on the slapstick side. It should go okay with most humor-seekers. "The Hep Cat" (Looney Tune Cartoon) Warners 7 mins. Nifty Laugh Bit Fans of all ages, — old and young — , will get lots of laughs from this nifty bit of animated nonsense recounting a tomcat's Waterloo. The Casanova feline, who imagines himself to be the last word in male allure in the backyard sections of a community, goes a-courting what appears to be a glamorous tabby-gal. But the apple of his eye is a dummy, riggedup by Casanova's energetic enemy, — a menacing dog. There may not be much to the story, but in celluloid form it scores solidly because of the clever situations, good animation, and interesting sound effects. Lots of appeal has been injected via imaginative material. "A Nation Dances" (Broadway Brevities) Warners 20 mins. Tip-Top Subject When the Nazi military machine was rapping at the very gates of Moscow last Autumn, and threat of the city's capture was grave, the annual folk dance festival was scheduled to take place,— and it did! Out of 60,000 feet of film made on the festival, highlight sequences were selected and a two-reeler produced. This is it. Special introduction was written bv Erskine Caldwell. Footage is filled with action and entertainment values. Besides its appeal as a corking dance subject, one views the short with particular admiration, knowing that it was filmed under conditions bespeaking the heroism of the Russian people. IS HJ *r +7 M f Z ke "I J is i s i n