The Film Daily (1940)

8 Wednesday, February 14, 1940 Cf*\ DAILY k Ht REVIEWS OF THE R6UJ flLfllS :< ik 'Broadway Melody of 1940" M-G-M >»tith Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell, George Murphy 102 Mins. LAVISH MUSICAL WITH ASTAIREPOWELL AND MURPHY GREAT IS SOLIDLY ENTERTAINING FILM. Top-flight dancing, tuneful music and lavish production have been neatly rolled up into one package for the benefit of audiences in this new Metro release. It should solidly entertain any type of audience. Seldom, if ever, has there been such an assemblage of top-flight dancing talent in one film, and the dance routines performed by Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell and George Murphy, although numerous, are cleverly conceived and staged, and first rate in every respect. Frank Morgan, Ian Hunter and Florence Rice adequately bolster the three dancing stars in the workings of the story, and Morgan will get a number of laughs. Production credit goes to Jack Cummings, and the smooth directing job is accounted for by Norman Taurog. Leon Gordon and George Oppenheimer also rate a hand for a screenplay, which though designed as a background for dance routines, still has continuity. It is always a thrill to watch the nimble and graceful Mr. Astaire go through his paces, and he has never been better than he is in this picture. Miss Powell's dancing is also fine, and George Murphy does a first rate job, with more of a chance to show his own dancing talents than has been usually given to him in the past. Cole Porter's corking tune, "Begin the Beguine," is used in the picture, and he also has whipped up five new numbers, with "I've Got My Eyes On You" top notch. The production numbers also deserve special mention, with the set in which Astaire and Powell dance to the "Begin the Beguine" music, and one in which they do a Harlequin number, outstanding. Story itself is on the light side. Astaire and Murphy, a dance team, get split up when Murphy accidentally gets a job as leading man for Eleanor, Broadway star, in her next show. Astaire sticks to Murphy despite bad treatment when Murphy gets a swelled head, and finally saves the show when Murphy can't go on. Murphy repays him and everybody is happy. Exhibs. have good exploitation possibilities with this picture, particularly with popular Cole Porter's music. CAST: Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell, George Murphy, Frank Morgan, Ian Hunter, Florence Rice, Lynne Carver, Ann Morriss, Trixie Firschke, Douglas McPhail. CREDITS: Producer, Jack Cummings; Director, Norman Taurog; Screenplay, Leon Gordon and George Oppenheimer; Original Story, Jack McGowan and Dore Schary; Lyrics and Music, Cole Porter; Dance Director, Bobby Connolly; Cameramen, Oliver T. Marsh and Joseph Ruttenberg; Editor, Blanche Sewell. DIRECTION, Expert. PHOTOGRAPHY, Fine. Opens Own Agency Bette Raskin, formerly of Murray Phillips office, has opened her own agency at 1650 Broadway. "British Intelligence" with Boris Karloff, Margaret Lindsay Warners 62 Mins. SPY MELLER WITH ACTION AND SUSPENSE WILL SERVE NICELY FOR NABE TRADE. As a spy meller designed for the neighborhood trade, this release will fit the bill nicely. It has action, suspense and a hard working cast. In addition, there are several spectacular air raid shots that are extremely realistic. The spy situation gets a little thick at times with what country the spies are working for a little hard to tell, but they are all safely sorted out and disposed of eventually. Picture also serves as an opportunity for a lampoon at Hitler. Boris Karloff is able as the German's master spy, and Margaret Lindsay is attractively effective as an English spy working for the Germans. Bruce Lester, Holmes Herbert, Leonard Mudie and other seasoned troupers give adequate support. Terry Morse directed from a screenplay by Lee Katz. Miss Lindsay is brought to England from her duties in France in an effort to capture the head of the German spy ring. She is planted in a cabinet minister's house where Karloff is also working as a butler. Plenty of action ensues from there on until she finally learns that Karloff is the man they really want. A satisfactory solution is worked out with Karloff killed in an air field. Picture has good exploitation possibilites for exhibitors to work on. CAST: Boris Karloff, Margaret Lindsay, Maris Wrixon, Holmes Herbert, Leonard Mudie, Bruce Lester, Winifred Harris, Lester Mathews, John G. Spacy, Austin Fairman, Clarence Derwent, Louise Brien, Frederick Vogeding, Carlos de Valdez. CREDITS: Warner Bros. Production; Director, Terry Morse; Screenplay, Lee Katz; Based on a play by Anthony Paul Kelly; Cameraman, Sid Hickox; Editor, Thomas Pratt. DIRECTION, O.K. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good. Industry Execs, to Aid Catholic Charity Drive {Continued from Page 1) the active committee head. They include: Harry Buckley, UA; H. M. Doherty, WB; Austin Keough, Para.; Charles I. O'Reilly, Sanitary Automatic Candy Co.; Martin J. Quigley, N. J. Blumberg, Universal; William A. Scully, Universal; George C. Walsh, Netco Theaters; Jack Pegler, Lord & Thomas; James R. Grainger, Republic; Joseph McConville, Columbia; Charles B. McDonald, RKO Theaters and Frank C. Walker, Comerford Theaters. The full Committee is expected to be completed by the end of this week. Mono.'s Prexy Recovered W. Ray Johnston, Monogram's president, returned to his desk in the home office yesterday, having recovered from a cold which had confined him to his apartment in the Hotel Warwick for a week. "Oh, Johnny, How You Can Love" with Tom Brown, Peggy Moran, Allen Jenkins Universal 63 Mins. AMUSING COMEDY-DRAMA WITH PLEASING CAST SHOULD ENTERTAIN THE JUVE TRADE. Introducing the song "Oh, Johnny" et al on the screen, picture also has several other musical numbers, gangsters, runaway heiresses and a handsome traveling salesman truck driver to make the goings-on entertaining. Picture should appeal to the juve trade as it is lively and has an engaging cast of young players in addition to able veterans. Tom Brown and Peggy Moran have the top roles, with support provided by Allen Jenkins, Donald Meek, Isabel Jewell, Juanita Quigley and Horace McMahon. Brown's car collides with Peggy's and she hitches a ride with him. However, he gets caught in the middle of a fight between gangsters and police and Allen Jenkins jumps in and orders him to drive into Canada. They get stopped in a small town and sent to an auto court run by Donald Meek, an eccentric inventor on the side. From there to the finish there are laughs and plenty of fireworks, literally, as it is the fourth of July. Brown saves Peggy from being kidnapped by Jenkins and his gang in a fast finish, with Meek's wacky inventions in the auto camp sure to get laughs as they help lick the gangsters. CAST: Tom Brown, Peggy Moran, Allen Jenkins, Donald Meek, Isabel Jewell, Juanita Quigley, Horace McMahon, Betty Jane Rhodes, Joe Downing. CREDITS: Producer, Ken Goldsmith; Director, Charles Lamont; Screenplay, A. T. Horman; Original Story, Edwin Rutt; Cameraman, Milton Krasner. DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good. Heywood-Wakefield Cuts 1939 Net Loss by 75% Heywood-Wakefield Co., and its wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary, whose products include film theater seats, report for the year ended Dec. 31, 1939, a net loss, after provision for all charges, of $25,487, compared with a net loss of $108,051 for the year 1938. Improvement in general business conditions which took place during the final quarter of 1939 enabled the company to operate at a profit and substantially reduce the loss reported for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 1939. Net sales were 15 per cent in excess of those billed for the preceding year. Operation for Nelson Eddy Minneapolis — Nelson Eddy will submit to an eye operation immediately after his p.a. at the Minneapolis Northrup Auditorium, Feb. 29. A St. Paul specialist will perform the operation. "All Women Have Secrets" with Joseph Allen, Jr., Virginia Dale, Jean Cagney Paramount 74 Mins. APPEALING CAMPUS STORY WITH ENERGETIC CAST SHOULD DO ALL RIGHT WITH POP TRADE. The theory that two can live cheaper than one is put on a mass production basis in this release with entertaining results. Picture should appeal to the pop trade and also serves to bring Jean Cagney to the screen, and her debut is auspicious. She is attractive and able as an actress. Direction was handled by Kurt Neumann with Agnes Christine Johnson contributing a well-timed screenplay. In addition to Miss Cagney, Joseph Allen, Jr., Peter Hayes, Virginia Dale, Betty Moran, John Arledge and Lawrence Grossmith enliven the proceedings. Story concerns three couples on the campus of a midwestern university who decide to get married. Marriage of Miss Cagney and Allen is the center of the story interest. His career is threatened as his medical studies are suffering from trying to work at other jobs at the same time. However, after Jean has gotten a job as a singer and things look brighter, she is forced to quit as she is going to have a baby. A kindly professor who learns of their difficulties provides a happy solution by helping them out. CAST: Virginia Dale, Joseph Allen, Jr., Jean Cagney, Peter Hayes, Betty Moran, John Arledge, Janet Waldo, Lawrence Grossmith, Una O'Connor, Kitty Kelly, Joyce Mathews, Audrey Maynard, Wanda McKay, Margaret Roach, Constance Keane. CREDITS: A Paramount Production; Director, Kurt Neumann; Screenplay, Agnes Christine Johnson; Based on a story by Dale Eunson; Editor, Arthur Schmidt. DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good. GWTW Helps Biz Generally, Kansas City Stores Find Kansas City — Three months ago 12 downtown merchants scheduled a fashion show for today and tomorrow at Loew's Midland. That was before GWTW schedules were set. To keep this agreement and still not interfere with the two-aday performances of GWTW, the Merchants' Style Show will be staged from 10:30 until 12:30 the two mornings and GWTW will begin immediately thereafter, guaranteeing a matinee performance as well as the evening offering. GWTW grossed about $100,000 in first two weeks here. Checkup reveals that railroad, bus lines, hotels, department, clothing and furniture stores report an increase of business through the influx of out-of-town visitors brought to the city by the pix. Rep. Booker Turns Exhib. Oklahoma City— F. R. "Buddy" Moran, booker with Republic exchange here, has resigned to take over the Pawnee Theater at Pawnee, from Luther Groves. BHBf