The Film Daily (1940)

3i{< DAILY Wednesday, January 31, 1940 -V :< REVIEWS Of THE REUI FILfllS -V .V "Sidewalks of London" with Charles Laughton and Vivien Leigh Paramount-Mayflower 84 Mins. (HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW) VERY ENTERTAINING STORY OF LONDON'S CURBSTONE ENTERTAINERS WITH FINE PERFORMANCES BY LAUGHTON AND LEIGH. This is a very entertaining picture dealing with buskers, London's famous curbstone entertainers and highlighted by outstanding performances by Charles Laughton and Vivien Leigh. Turning from his usual cruel and terrifying roles, Laughton plays a busker, who sings, recites and dances. He befriends Vivien, who is a little hoyden, determined to get to the top in musical comedy. Tim Whelan has done a splendid job of directing, injecting many warm, human touches. Producer Erich Pommer deserves many bows, while Clemence Dane contributed a pleasing screenplay. Arthur Johnson, an American songwriter, wrote lilting music and Eddie Pola the lyrics. Jules Kruger's photography is very praiseworthy. Rex Harrison, Larry Adler, the harmonica player, and Tyrone Guthrie and Gus McNaughton, authentic buskers, do good work. The production number, "Straw Hats In The Rain," is expertly handled. Vivien joins Laughton's little troupe of buskers, who entertain the l.nes of people waiting to enter theaters and who pass the hat for help. He recognizes her ability, encourages her upward climb and she pushes on relentlessly, hurting others as she gains success and honors for herself. Rex Harrison, top musical comedy writer, also does much to help her. When she reaches the top as the reigning London musical comedy star, Laughton, who has remained a busker, takes to heavy drinking. Vivien searches for him and tries to encourage him. CAST: Charles Laughton, Vivien Leigh, Rex Harrison, Larry Adler, Tyrone Guthrie, Gus McNaughton, Bart Cormack, Edward Lexy, Marie O'Neil, Basil Gill, Claire Greets, David Burns, Cyril Smith, Ronald Ward, Romilly Lunge, Helen Haye, Phyllis Stanley, Jerry Verno, Polly Ward, Alt Goddard, Carroll Gibbons and his Ork and the Luna Boys and other London street entertainers. CREDITS: Erich Pommer; Director Tim Whelan; From the story "St Martin's Lane" by Clemence Dane; Screenplay, same; Cameraman, Jules Kruger; Editors, Hugh Stewart and Robert Hamer; Musical Director, Muir Mathieson; Music, Arthur Johnson; Lyrics, Eddie Pola; Dance Director, Philip Buchel. DIRECTION, Splendid. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good. Joins Ann Watkins, Inc. Dorothy Allen, wife of Lewis Allen of the Gilbert Miller office, is now associated with Ann Watkins, Inc. Latter has just sold Thelma Strabel's new story, "Reap the Wild Wind," to Paramount. 'Green Hell' with Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Joan Bennett Universal 87 Mins. ADVENTURE STORY WITH STRONG CAST IS ENTERTAINING SCREENFARE. Audiences generally should like this new Universal release. In the first place it is a good adventure story; secondly, the picture has been afforded a strong and able cast with plenty of marquee power; and finally, the story has plenty of action, drama and romance. Head hunting Indians, hidden treasure in ancient temples, jungle fever, tropical storms and plenty of other hokum with just as much audience interest has been neatly woven into the script. Fairbanks is good in his role, and Miss Bennett is an attractive addition to the picture. The supporting cast is excellent, including Alan Hale, George Sanders, George Bancroft, Vincent Price, Gene Garrick and John Howard, who is one of the best bets seen on the screen in some time. Harry Edington gets credit as the producer and James Whale handled the directorial reins. Picture readily lends itself to exploitation and exhibitors should get good results at the box-office. Fairbanks and the members of the expedition leave a Brazilian town for jungle fastnesses where they are seeking an ancient Inca city. Success crowns their efforts, but after the temple is discovered Price is killed by hostile Indians. The expedition's Indians return from a trip to the outer world with additional provisions and Miss Bennett, wife of the dead man. Dissension rises among the men, the natives desert and head hunters attack them. However, after Garrick and Sanders have died, part jf their native retinue return with help to drive off the head hunters and save the day. CAST: Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Joan Bennett, Alan Hale, John Howard, George Bancroft, Vincent Price, George Sanders, Gene Garrick, Francis McDonald, Ray Mala, Peter Bronte. CREDITS: Producer, Harry Edington; Director, James Whale; Original Screenplay, Frances Marion; Cameraman, Karl Freund; Editor, Ted Kent. DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Fine. New Louisville Negro House Louisville — The Palace, new Negro theater being erected here by the Williston interests of Indianapolis, will cost $80,000, equipment included. It will open in the Spring. Building In London, Ky. London, Ky. — O. J. Minnix and A. H. McClure are building a new theater here just two doors from their other one, the Southland. Franchise to H. J. Peskay Alliance Films has closed a fran Peskay Corp. of Majestic Distributing "I Take This Woman" with Spencer Tracy, Hedy Lamarr M-G-M 97 Mins. MARQUEE POWER OF TRACY AND LAMARR WILL PUT THIS ONE OVER STRONG. Although the story is not strong, the pulling power in the names of Spencer Tracy and Hedy Lamarr should bring the customers to the box-office. The stars rise above their material, while Verree Teasdale, in a breezy role, does much to enliven the proceedings. Mona Barrie, Laraine Day, Paul Cavanagh, Louis Calhern and Frances Drake are among others who do good work. W. S. Van Dyke handled the direction, while James Kevin McGuinness furnished the screenplay, based on a story by Charles MacArthur. Tracy, who is a clinic doctor in New York's tenement district, spends his vacations hunting microbes in far off countries. He is in Yucatan when Hedy tries suicide over a love affair and he prevents her from ending her life. They return to New York and he interests her in his work. They marry, but she still retains an interest in Kent Taylor, whom she fears. To finally settle the matter she goes to his apartment for a complete breakoff and discovers he no longer holds any interest for her. She tells Tracy of the visit and although he has advised her to face Taylor, he becomes enraged and leaves her. It remains for Verree Teasdale to bring them together for a happy ending. Hedy has been beautifully photographed, with Harold Rosson at the camera. CAST: Verree Teasdale, Kent Taylor, Laraine Day, Mona Barrie, Jack Garson, Paul Cavanagh, Louis Calhern, Frances Drake, Marjorie Main, George E. Stone, Willie Best, Don Castle, Dalies Frantz, Reed Hadley. CREDITS: Director, W. S. Van Dyke, II; Author, Charles MacArthur; Screenplay, James Kevin McGuinness; Cameraman, Harold Rosson; Art Director, Cedric Gibbons; Associate, Paul Groesse; Editor, George Boemler; Musical Score, Bronislau Kaper and Arthur Guttman. DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good. Newsreel for Negro Houses Chicago — Initial release of Pioneer National News Reel, designed for Negro theaters, will be previewed at WB's Metropolitan theater here tomorrow. Producing company is headed by Dwight L. Jones. To Play "Tobacco Road" Harrisburg, Pa.— The State Theater will deviate from its picture policy for one day in March to present "Tobacco Road." Larsens Form Wabash Co. Wabash, Ind. — Larsen Bros, have chise deal for California with H. J. organized'the Larsen Picture Corp. here. They formerly operated in New York and Miami, * SHORTS * "Navajoland" RKO Pathe News ~^7 10 mins. Excellent Short Subject The Indian tribes of this country are among the most interesting races in the world, and the Navajo nation and its rambling 16,000,000 acre reservation in the southwest is presented in this reel in highly interesting fashion. Not only the nation's history and traditions are presented, but the problems facing the once great race today. Reel skillfully depicts the whys and wherefores of these problems, principal among them being aridity. The short intelligently shows how these problems can be and are being overcome by the government. Reel should do much to arouse interest around the country in something that is definitely the problem of the citizens as much as the government. Louis Rousseau directed, with Frederic Ullman Jr. the producer, and Frank Donovan the supervisor. "Unusual Occupations" Paramount 10 mins. Interesting Subject Material "Unusual Occupations" continues to hold its place among the topnotch short series with this release. The subject material chosen is extremely interesting and well presented. Reel presents an ark builder who is anticipating the end of the world; an interesting sequence showing what can be done with painted straws; a man who appraises and sells fresh water pearls from the Mississippi; a woman who makes a living out of raising gourds; and a thrilling aerial sequence done by Hollywood's number one stunt pilot. "Stranger Than Fiction" Universal 9 mins. Excellent Short Latest in this series, it is one of the best, its subject matter unusually interesting. Reel opens with a sequence that shows how model ships are put in bottles, and it is a fascinating process. Next we meet Canada's leading horologist, collector of watches to you, and the collection of ancient and modern timepieces is highly interesting. Painting on spider webs also presents something new in the way of novelties. Reel winds up with an invention that cuts swamp grass underwater, and a bull dog that helps out in a garage in a most efficient manner. Reel has great interest for very type of audience.