Harrison's Reports (1931)

Entered as second-class matter January 4, 1921, at the post office at New York, New York, under the act of March 3, 1879. Harrison’s Reports Yearly Subscription Rates: United States $3 5.00 U. 3. Insular Possessions. . 16.00 Canada, Alaska 16.00 Mexico, Spain, Cuba 16.00 Great Britain, New Zealand 16.00 Other Foreign Countries.. 17.50 35c a Copy 1440 BROADWAY New York, N. Y. A Motion Picture Reviewing Service by a Former Exhibitor Devoted Exclusively to the Interests of Exhibitors Its Editorial Policy: No Problem Too Big for Its Editorial Columns, if It is to Benefit the Exhibitor. Published Weekly by P. S. HARRISON Editor and Publisher Established July 1, 19 19 Tel. : Pennsylvania 7649 Cable Address : Harreports (Bentley Code) A REVIEWING SERVICE FREE FROM THE INFLUENCE OF FILM ADVERTISING Vol. XIII SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 1931 _______ No^4 1930-31 SUBSTITUTIONS Columbia Columbia has so far released the following pictures: “Rain or Shine” (1004), “Africa Speaks” (1013), “Brothers” (1011), "Tol’able David” (1005), “Madonna of the Streets” (1019), “Charley’s Aunt” (1006), “The Lion and the Lamb” (1018), and “The Criminal Code” (1008). None of them is a substitution. First National First National sold most of its 1930-31 pictures without au adequate description ; therefore, it is not possible to “pin” any pictures down as substitutions. This is true up to the release, “Little Caesar" (No. 618). To the Franchise Holders: Because of the frequent attempts of First National (Warner Bros.) to foist on you program pictures as road show pictures, I am stating in each review whether the particular picture reviewed is or is not a road show picture in accordance with the terms of the unreformed franchise, which stipulates that ti picture must be shown at advanced admission prices, on a basis of two shows a day, for at least four weeks, also in Chicago in addition to New York City. But through an oversight, this information was not given in the reviews for the following pictures : “The Lash” (603), and “Kiss Me Again” (610). “The Lash” is now being shown as a regular picture. “Kiss Me Again” is now shown as a road show picture ; but since it has not yet been shown in Chicago and there is no prospect of its so being shown there by reason of the fact that Warner Bros, have no theatre in that city for such a purpose, it may safely be taken for granted that it is not a road show picture. Fox Unlike other seasons, the Fox Film Corporation has tried this season to live up not only to the letter but also to the spirit of what it sold you in the beginning of the season, it has changed some of the titles but not the stories. In the case of, "Oh, For a Man it sold it with Charles Farrell and Joyce Compton and has delivered it with Reginald Denny and Jeannette MacDonald ; but it has made up this disadvantage by delivering “The Man Who Came Back” with Charles Farrell and Janet Gaynor, when it promised only Charles Farrell. This picture, despite the unpleasantness of the story, is drawing, not only because of the drawing power of the pair of stars, but also because of the good acting and of the human interest in the story. “Common Clay” (209), “Man Trouble” (223), “The Last of the Duanes” (247), “Song of Mv Heart” (208), “On Your Back” (229), "The Sea Wolf” (207), “From Soup to Nuts” (204), are not substitutions. “LILIOM” (202) : “The Devil With Women” is the contract title, but it is not a substitution, by reason of the fact that the picture has been founded on the play ““Liliom”, by Franz Molnar, just as it was promised in the contract. "Up the River” (203), “Scotland Yard” (230), “The Renegades” (213), and “The Big Trail” (201) are not substitutions. “THE DANCERS” (235): “Play Called Life” is the original title of this one. But it is not a substitution by reason of the fact that the finished product has been founded on the story of the author promised in the contract — Sir Gerald du Maurier and Viola Tree. "A DEVIL WITH WOMEN” (226) : “Sez You, Sez Me” was the original title, which was later changed to, “On the Make”, before being finally changed to “A Devil with Women”. But it is not a substitution, for the finished prod uct has been founded on the play by the author described in the contract— Clements Ripley. "Just Imagine” (205), and “Lightnin’ ” (210) are not substitutions. “OH, FOR A MAN 1” (224) : “She’s My Girl” was the original title ; but it is not a story substitution. It is, however, a star substitution in that Charles Farrell and Joyce Compton were promised in the contract, and Reginald Denny and Jeannette MacDonald have been delivered. “THE PRINCESS AND THE PLUMBER” (219) : Not a substitution. “PART TIME WIFE” (231) : “The Heart Breaker” was the original title. But since no story or author was given in the contract or in the Work Sheet it cannot be “pinned” down as a substitution. “UNDER SUSPICION” (243): “The Red Sky” was the contract title, later changed to “Tonight and You”. But it is not a substitution, for the finished product has been founded on a story by the author promised in the contract — Tom Barry. “THE MAN WHO CAME BACK” (211): Holders of a Fox contract are getting more than they bargained for in this picture, for no star was promised in the contract, and only Charles Farrell was promised in the Work Sheet, hut Charles Farrell and Janet Gaynor appear in the finished product. “MEN ON CALL” (244) : This is a story substitution, for the contract promised a story by Tom Geraghty, whereas the finished product has been founded on a story by James K. McGuinnes. “ONCE A SINNER” (215) : The original title of this picture was “Luxury” ; it is a story substitution by reason of the fact that the contract promised that the picture would be founded on the play “My Lady’s Dress”, by Edward Knoblock, whereas the finished product has been founded on a story by George Middleton. “FAIR WARNING” (248) : Not a substitution. Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer MGM has no substitutions up to and including “New Moon” (128), released January 17. The original title of “Min and Bill” was “Dark Star”, but it is not a substitution, for the finished product has been founded on the story by the author promised in the Work Sheet — Lorna Moon. The same is true of “Men of the North”, the original title of which was “Monsieur Le Fox” ; the author was to be, and is, Willard Mack. The original title of “Love in the Rough” was “Likely Kelly Can.” But it is not a substitution. Paramount-Publix Because Paramount sold its 1930-31 pictures without detailed description as to stories or authors, none of its pictures can be declared substitutions. Pathe Pathe sold most of its pictures without story or author. There has not been a substitution so far. Radio Pictures Radio pictures has had no substitutions so far. Sono Art “Rogue of the Rio Grande” (8062), “The Costello Case” (8054), and “Jaws of Hell” (8076) are not substitutions. “DAMAGED LOVE” (8077) : “Week End Sinners” is supposed to have been the original title of this picture but it is not the same picture by reason of the fact “Week End ( Continued on last page )