The Film Daily (1936)

Thursday, Jan. 2, 1936 THE ■^m DAILY 13 « REVIEWS FOREIGN » "EL RELICARIO" ("The Reliquary"), in Spanish; directed by Ricardo Banos; with Raefel Arcos, Nieves Aliaga, et al. At the Teatro Campoamor. Fairly entertaining Spanish production, with bull-fighting scenes as the highlight, plus some human interest in the tale of an orphan girl, and also a bit of singing and comedy. SHORTS "Major Bowes' Amateur Theater of the Air" (No. 6) RKO Radio 17 mlns. Very Fine Holding up the high average of these amateur shorts, Major Bowes presents a slick diversity of coming talent, with several of 'em putting their acts over with professional class. Opens with the Harmonica Trio. A cute kid named Vivian Barlow impersonates Mae West and ZaSu Pitts in a cross-fire patter. The Medicine Wagon act is a novelty, introducing string instruments, tap, songs. The Tune Teasers harmonize. Al Reynolds does a grand tap. Cliff Pampel and Frank Bederka in a piano duo. Two outstanding offerings are the atmospheric skit of New York harbor, and the Chanticleer Quintette, the latter being colored lads singing "Glory Road." This short will carry on the tradition of Major Bowes' Amateurs without a struggle. Edgar Kennedy in "Gasoloons" (Edgar Kennedy Comedies) RKO Radio 16 mins. Swell Laughs Swell family comedy, with Edgar Kennedy scoring in a feud with his family, consisting of Florence Lake, Dot Farley and Jack Rice. They wangle him into buying a gasoline station instead of going on a vacation, and then his troubles begin. He starts a small job on a car to adjust a windshield wiper, and winds up by tearing the car apart. But it seems he made the mistake of working on his own car. This one will give the laughs to all the Kennedy fans. "Too Many Surprises" (Smart Set Comedies) RKO Radio 21 mins. Good Monte Collins carries the comedy, ably assisted by Edith Craig, Edgar Dearing, Kitty McHugh, Tom Kennedy and Pearl Eaton. The idea involves two married couples with two extremely jealous wives and one husband likewise. Monte is a sort of innocent bystander who in the course of his work as a real estate salesman gets himself into a very A LITTLE from "LOTS" By RALPH WILK HOLLYWOOD QENE RAYMOND'S brother, whose professional name is Robert Marlowe, is now appearing in Gene's new starring picture, "Don't Bet on Love." Marlowe, a musician, has never acted before. Director Leigh Jason, spotting the youngster on the set where he was visiting his brother, put him to work in the film. The family name of the boys, incidentally, is Guion. ▼ t ▼ Francis X. Shields, tennis star, has been assigned by Samuel Goldwyn to his first important role on the screen. He will be seen in the film adaptation of Edna Ferber's novel, "Come and Get It." T T T Spencer Charters and Margaret Armstrong, prominent character players, have been signed by RKO Radio for roles in "The Farmer in the Dell," Phil Stong story which is to feature Fred Stone. Others in the cast are Jean Parker, Franrf Albertson, Esther Dale and Moroni Olsen. Ben Holmes directs. T T T John Twist has been signed by RKO Radio to collaborate wiith Cyril Hume on the screen play of "The Witness Chair," recently purchased as the next vehicle for Ann Harding following her current RKO Radio film, "The Lady Consents," in which she is now co-starring with Herbert Marshall. ▼ ▼ ▼ "Boulder Dam" is the new title for the picture heretofore known as "Backfire," recently completed at the First National studios and now in the cutting room. At the head of the cast are Ross Alexander, Patricia Ellis, Lyle Talbot and Eddie Acuff; and the other players include Henry O'Neill, Egon Brecher, Eleanor Wesselhoeft, William Pawley, Ronnie Cosby, George Breakston, Olin Howland and Joe Crehan. The screenplay of "Boulder Dam" was written by Si Bartlett, Ralph Block and Laird Doyle. Frank McDonald directed. T T T Phil Regan has been signed for the leading role in the Republic picture, "Laughing Irish Eyes," which is on the production schedule for January. Wallace Sullivan and Sidney Sutherland are writing the screenplay. T T T H. B. Warner, who created the role of Jimmy Valentine in Paul Armstrong's famous stage play, will play the same role in the Republic production, "The Return of Jimmy Valentine." T ▼ T Having finished directing Eddie Cantor's "Strike Me Pink," Norman Taurog returns to Paramount, where he starts preparations for "Poppy", which stars W. C. Fields. "Poppy" starts Jan. 27. ▼ ▼ T Two new productions have gone before the cameras at the Republic studios in North Hollywood. They are "The Leathernecks Have Landed," starring Lew Ayres, and "The Return of Jimmy Valentine." Isabel Jewell plays opposite Ayres in the Marine vehicle, with Jimmy Ellison heading the supporting cast including Ward Bond, J. Carroll Naish and Maynard Holmes. Howard Bretherton starts the first of his Republic contract assignments with this feature. Seton I. Miller wrote the story. T T ▼ Roger Pryor and Charlotte Henry have the leading roles in "The Return of Jimmy Valentine," which was written by Paul Armstrong, Jr., son of the noted playwright. Lewis D. Collins, who recently finished directing "The Leavenworth Case," is directing. T T T Franchot Tone has been signed by Columbia to appear opposite Grace Moore in her new picture with music by Fritz Kreisler. compromising situation with the other fellow's wife as he tries to sell her a furnished house. Plenty of fast action, with the chuckles coming without much effort. Produced by Lee Marcus and directed bv Fred Guiol. "Dumb-Be;i Letters" (No. 21) RKO Radio 10 mins. Funny Another in the series of authentic letters from dumb folks sent to various commercial organizations throughout the country. They are nicely diversified, and well presented, and carry humor in every letter. A theme song opens and gets over the comedy and goofy atmosphere of the letters. Juliette Lowell produces the series, handled by Van Beuren Corporation. Pacific Northwest Notes Seattle— Taking $160, a hold-up man robbed Catherine Sarianni, cashier at the Paramount of Portland. Members of the Northwest Film Club have presented Ed A. Lamb of RKO in Seattle, who has been faithfully fulfilling posts of secretary and treasurer of the organization, with the Christmas gift of a traveling kit. L. T. McGinley, former president, was given a reading chair. Almeda Theater property of Portland has been sold to S. E. Henderson and leased to Bob White Theaters, Inc. It has been renamed the 13th Avenue Theater. Walter L. Fenney, previously manager of the Roxy in Tacoma, is now manager of the Liberty in Seattle. « DATE BOOK « Jan. 6: Hearing on Equity proceedings in suit against Warners, Paramount and RKO, Federal Court, St. Louis. Jan. 7: Allied Theaters of New Jersey regular meeting, Hotel Lincoln, New York, 2 P. M., preceded by board meeting at 11 A. M. /an. II: Independent Theater Owners' Ass'n annual ball, Hotel Astor, New York. Jan. 12: Philadelphia Variety Club's first annual dinner and installation, Hotel BellevueStratford, Philadelphia. Jan. 12: Lambs' New Year Gambol, Lambs Club, New York. Jan. 15: Mid-winter meeting of General Executive Board of I.A.T.S.E., Fleetwood Hotel, Miami Beach, Fla. an. 26: Testimonial dinner in honor of Harry Hershfield, sponsored by the Broadway Cheese Club, Hotel Astor, New York. Jan. 26-27: Annual convention of M. P. T. O. of North and South Carolina, Pinehurst, N. C. Feb. 3: Allied States Ass'n eastern directors' meeting, Baltimore. Feb. 4-6: Allied States Ass'n board of directors' annual meeting, and meeting of the Produce Committee, Washington, D. C. April 20-21 : Annual convention of Northwest Allied, Minneapolis. April 27-30: i. M. P. E. spring convention. Edgewater Beach Hotel, Chicago. XMAS WEEK BUSINESS AHEAD OF LAST YEAR (Continued from Page 1) the biggest gains. Trade at the Broadway houses in three instances was reported at record peaks for' five years or more. Loew circuit reported a 28 per cent jump in attendance in its outof-town houses which are playing "A Tale of Two Cities" for Christmas Week. Business would have been better except for the storms, it was stated. Loew's New York houses are playing "Mutiny on the Bounty" to big grosses. Warners, with 98 additional houses open Sunday in the Pennsylvania territory, were far ahead of last year in Christmas Week business. The RKO out-of-town theaters were behind last year's Christmas business when the circuit was playing "Bright Eyes." Trade in the city RKO houses was about 10 per cent above last year. Paramount reported a 6 per cent Christmas Week improvement for its circuit. The Capitol Theater on Broadway with "A Tale of Two Cities" is en'joying the best post-Christmas business since 1928. The Paramount with "The Bride Comes Home" and the Strand with "Captain Blood" report better business than in the preceding five years. The Roxy business is about 20 to 25 per cent improved. The Music Hall reports a 10 per cent improvement. Business in the Skouras suburban houses has been behind last yeaf due to inclement weather. The Skouras houses in Manhattan and other boroughs are about on a par with last year.