Harrison's Reports (1939)

90 HARRISON'S REPORTS June 10, 1939 "Wolf Call" with John Carroll and Movita (Monogram, May 18; time, 60 min.) A fair program outdoor melodrama. The story is routine, offering tew new angles ; as a matter of fact, the ending is (|uite obvious. Action fans will, however, probably find it satisfactory, for there are a few good iist fights. Particularly exciting are the closing scenes, where the plotters are outwitted. John Carroll and Movita handle the formula romance pleasantly, and sing two musical numbers well : — Guy Usher, wealthy radium mine owner, sends his playboy son (Carroll) to Alaska to investigate conditions at the mine. Believing that the mine was worthless, as he had been told by his scheming lawyer (Holmes Herbert), Usher had used it merely as an excuse to get Carroll away from his friends, in an effort to make a man of him. Carroll meets and falls in love with Movita, whose father worked at the mine as a chemist. The chemist makes him realize that the mine could work and pay large profits ; it is then that Carroll understands why the foreman (Wheeler Oakman), who was in league with the firm that wanted the mine, had acted so strangely. He tries to get in touch with his father so as to stop him from selling the mine to the rival concern ; but Oakman breaks the radio set. Carroll gets off in his plane ; but because it had been tampered with he crashes and is injured. Movita, a north woods padre (Peter George Lynn ) and her father reach Carroll. Lynn, finding the radio intact, manages to get through to Carroll's father in time to stop the sale. Usher and Polly Ann Young, Carroll's former fiancee, arrive by plane. But Miss Young, who could see that Carroll really loved Movita, leaves. Carroll decides to remain in Alaska, to supervise the mine and to marry Movita. The plot was adapted from the story by Jack London; Joseph West wrote the screen play, George Waggner directed it, and Paul Malvern produced it. In the cast are George Cleveland, John Kelly, John Shcehan, and others. Suitability, Class A. Tempo, fairly fast. "The Zero Hour" with Frieda Inescort, Otto Kruger and Don Douglas (Republic, May 26; time, 65 min. ) This human-interest drama is pretty good entertainment ; it should direct a strong appeal to women. In addition to an interesting story, it has good production values, intelligent direction, and capable acting. One is at all times in sympathy with the leading characters, whose actions are commendable. The closing scenes, showing the hero killing himself in order to insure the heroine's happiness, may prove depressing to some, but, from a dramatic standpoint, it was the only logical conclusion. Several of the situations stir one's emotions. A light touch is provided by J. M. Kerrigan, as the hero's valet : — Through the capable coaching of Otto Kruger, a famous actor-manager, Frieda Inescort becomes a fine actress. She and Kruger decide, after the opening night of their new play, to drive to a small town to be married. While on the road, Kruger discovers that he was out of gasoline and gets out to signal a car to stop. He is knocked down by the car, suffering such an injury to his spine that he is crippled for life. Miss Inescort pleads with him to marry her, but he refuses ; she vows never to leave him. For nine years. Miss Inescort is a devoted friend, knowing that Kruger's happiness revolved around her. Being lonesome, she decides to adopt a child ; her choice is little Ann Todd. She is heartbroken when she learns that Don Douglas, a widower, had entered his application for Ann before she had. The child brings her together with Douglas and in a short time they fall in love. Kruger, fearing that he might lose Miss Inescort, finally agrees to marry her. But after a visit from Douglas. Kruger, realizing he was ruining Miss Inescort's chances for happiness, kills himself. Garrett Fort wrote the original screen play; Sidney Salkovv directed it, and Sol C. Siegel produced it. In the cast are Adrienne Ames, Jane Darwell, Leonard Carey, Sarah Padden, and others. Because of the suicide theme, exhibitors who cater to Catholic audiences may find it unsuitable for their needs. Otherwise, suitability, Class A. Tempo, somewhat slow. "They Asked For It" with William Lundigan and Joy Hodges (Universal, May 26; time, 61 min.) A fair program melodrama, with comedy. The plot offers a slightly novel twist, and holds one's attention fairly well, since it keeps one guessing as to how the murder had been committed and who had committed it. There are occasional comedy bits resulting from the antics of small-town characters. The romance is incidental : — Three friends — William Lundigan, publisher of a smalltown newspaper, Michael Whalen, a lawyer, and Thomas Beck, a doctor — having graduated from college at the same time, settle in a small town. Each one has a difficult time earning a living. Lundigan receives news of the death of a certain farmer who had been known to drink too much, and he and his two friends go out to the farm to offer condolences to Isabel Jewell, the dead man's daughter. An idea strikes them — why not print a story hinting that the man had been murdered ? In that way they could create interest in themselves. Their scheme works ; but they are shocked to learn that the man had actually been murdered. Lyle Talbot, a shady character, tells them that Miss Jewell had killed her father. This news creates much excitement. Again the three friends are doomed to disappointment when they learn that Miss Jewell had lied, her purpose being to get publicity for herself. Realizing that exposure of the hoax would be to their detriment, they set out to solve the case. They discover that the victim had rented his barn to gangsters as a hiding place for stolen silks, and that, when he had demanded more money, the gangsters had killed him. The guilty persons are caught. The three friends settleback to the old routine, except that Lundigan decides to marry his assistant (Joy Hodges). Lester Fuller wrote the story, and Arthur H. Horman. the screen play ; Frank McDonald directed it, and Max Golden produced it. In the cast are Spencer Charters, and others. Suitable for adolescents and adults, but not for children. Class B. Tempo, somewhat fast. "The Jones Family in Hollywood" with Jed Prouty and Spring Byington (2Qth Century-Fox, June 2; time, 59'/z min.) This is somewhat of a let-down in the "Jones Family" series. The comedy is forced, and the action is slightly tiresome. It may, however, go over because of the Hollywood atmosphere and of the studio scenes, which show the making of pictures. The members of the family, with the exception of June Carlson, are less in the limelight than heretofore. As a matter of fact, most of the laughter is provoked by a newcomer to the series, William Tracy, who plays the part of an egotistical young motion picture star. The closing scenes, in which Jed Prouty becomes involved innocently with a young actress, are fairly amusing : — When Jed Prouty is informed that he had been chosen to represent his hometown! American Legion post at the convention in Hollywood, he is quite excited. Knowing that Prouty could not afford train fare for them all, the family decide to buy a trailer and travel that way ; Prouty reluctantly agrees to their plan. June accidentally meets Wm. Tracy, a motion picture star. When he invites her to visit the studio, she arrives accompanied by her family ; this annoys him. Eager to make an impression on her, he arranges a screen test for her. The test is a dismal failure, but June and her family are not aware of it, until June overhears Tracy telling some other girl what he thought of her. She then begs her mother to take her back home. Prouty, in an effort to help his son, who had become involved with a young screen actress he wanted to marry, goes to see the girl. His wife and mother find him there and misunderstand ; but he finally convinces them of his innocence. They are happy to leave for home. Joseph Hoffman and Buster Keaton wrote the story, and Harold Tarshis, the screen play ; Malcolm St. Clair directed it, and John Stone produced it. In the cast are Ken Howell, George Ernest, Florence Roberts, Billy Mahan, June Gale, and others. Suitability, Class A. Tempo, somewhat fast.