Harrison's Reports (1939)

April 15, 1939 HARRISON'S REPORTS 60C "Sixty Glorious Years": The forecast said: "There is no doubt that the quality of this picture will be excellent. . . . But as to its box-office value, exhibitors may judge by the success they had with 'Victoria the Great.' " The picture turned out excellent in quality, but doubtful as to box-office possibilities. Accuracy 100%. "The Mad Miss Manton": The forecast said: "A typical murder mystery melodrama for which there is a ready market. . . . This should make a good comedy-melodrama, with similar box-office results." It turned out good. Accuracy 100%. "Room Service" : The forecast said : " . . . Considering that the Marx Brothers will appear in it, this should turn out very good, with similar box-office results." It turned out only a good comedy, with good-fair box-office results. Accuracy 70%. Average Accuracy 94%. Twentieth Century-Fox "The Little Princess": The forecast said: "The story is up Shirley's 'alley,' and with good direction and a competent supporting cast there is no reason why Twentieth Century-Fox should not make a deeply appealing picture, with very good to excellent box-office results." The picture turned out just as predicted. Accuracy 100%. "Alexander's Ragtime Band": The forecast said: "There is no doubt that Mr. Zanuck expects to make this both lavish and tuneful It should turn out from very good to excellent, both in quality and box-office performance.'* It turned out just as predicted. Accuracy 100%. "Just Around the Corner," forecast under the title, "Lucky Penny" : The forecast said : "There is plentiful human appeal in this story. . . . The story offers material for an appealing picture, with music and comedy. Given careful production, as Shirley's pictures usually are, this should turn out very good entertainment, with equal success at the box-office." It turned out just a good picture. Accuracy 80%. "My Lucky Star": The forecast said: "The story is simple ; but, what is most important, it otters Miss Henie an opportunity to show her skill as a skater once again. ... If Twentieth Century-Fox should cast a well-known player with Miss Heme, there is no reason why this should not turn out very good." It turned out just a fair picture, with good box-office results. Accuracy 80%. "Suez" : The forecast said : "There is no doubt that, with such a story to work with, Mr. Zanuck will give this an extremely lavish production. . . . The story is powerful in itself; aided by a lavish production and popular stars, there is no reason why it should not turn out very good, with similar box-office results." It turned out as predicted. Accuracy 100%. Average Accuracy 92%. United Artists "The Young in Heart": The forecast said: "This story is a little different and offers an opportunity for considerable comedy and heartwarming situations . . . should turn out a very good picture, with similar box-office results." It turned out a delightful comedy with considerable human appeal. Accuracy 100%. "The Duke of West Point": The forecast said : "This story has been written by the same man who wrote 'Navy Blue and Gold.' In that picture he revealed himself as a man who understood human nature and was capable of writing a story that had human appeal, emotion-stirring situations, and comedy This should turn out a very good picture." It turned out a very good entertainment. Accuracy 100%. "Made for Each Other" : The forecast said : "... there is opportunity for drama and emotional appeal, . . . the two leading characters win one's sympathy. . . . With two such popular players .... the picture should turn out very good, with similar box-office results." The picture turned out a very good drama with deep emotional appeal. Accuracy 100%. "King of the Turf: The forecast said: "Stories revolving around race tracks do not, as a rule, appeal as much to women as they do to men. Nor is the theme of showing a man's rise to riches by means of gambling particularly edifying. The production will, no doubt, be lavish, and the picture may turn out good. But as to its box-office value, despite Adolphe Menjou's popularity, his name is not strong enough to lure crowds to the box-office." Although several changes were made in the story, it still remained just a fairly good racetrack picture. Accuracy 100%. "The Cowboy and the Lady": The forecast said: "Nice material, and with good treatment, it should make a picture either very good or good in quality, with similar box-office results." It turned out just a fairly good romantic comedy. Accuracy 80%. "There Goes My Heart" : The forecast said : "This should make an entertaining, heart-warming comedy. And, considering the players named, it should do well at the box-office." It turned out just a fairly good comedy. Accuracy 80%. "Topper Takes a Trip": The forecast said: "This should be a lavish production. . . . But, since it is along the same order as the first picture, its box-office appeal will be limited to those who enjoy fantastic comedies." It turned out just as predicted. Accuracy 100%. "Wuthering Heights": The forecast said: "Powerful material but unpleasant, for vengeance runs through the story almost to the very closing scenes. Heathcliff is certainly a highly unpleasant character . . . will make a very powerful drama, but highly unpleasant entertainment." Although the story was altered in many respects, it turned out just as predicted, for the character of Heathcliff was left unpleasantAccuracy 100%. Average Accuracy 95%.