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May 29. 1937
HOLLYWOOD MOTION PICTURE REVIEW
Page 3
PREVIEWS OF CURRENT REEASES
Pictures Are Reviewed Only From A Box-Office Angle.
Key to Ratings
BOX-OFFICE RATING AA Exceptionally big picture A Very good B Good average product C Weak
D No recommendation
PRODUCTION COST RATING E Lavish production F Average production G An economy picture
ARTISTIC RATING H Excellent I Good J Indifferent CENSORSHIP RATING K Clean product — nothing offensive L Moderate amount of suggestive or objectionable material, unlikely to arouse opposition except in very conservative corr|fnunities M Contains considerable censorable material N Apt to arouse serious objection
CLASS OF HOUSE O Suited to all theatres
P Good product for smaller houses 0 May be good first-run product, but doubtful for smaller houses, neighborhoods and small towns. R Must be handled with care if shown to family trade
TYPE OF PICTURE
a Comedy drama d Mystery drama
b Melodrama e Comedy
c Musical f Western
YOU CANT BEAT LOVE
RKO-RADIO
SWELL COMEDY PROGRAMMER. HAS A NICE ROMANCE. PLENTY OF LAUGHS. WELL WRIHEN AND DIRECTED.
Producer Robert Sisk. Director Christy Cabanne. Original story by Olga Moore. Screenplay by David Silverstein and Maxwell Shane. Photography by Russell Metty, A. S. C. Release date, tentative June 5, 1937. Running time at preview 60 minutes.
Jimmy Hughes
Trudy Olson
Jasper
Clem Bruner
Butch Mehaffey
Chief Brennan
Dwight Parsons
Mayor Olson
Pretty Boy Jones... Louie the Weasel May Smith
THE CAST
PRESTON FOSTER
JOAN FONTAINE
HERBERT MUNDIN
WILLIAM BRISBANE
PAUL HURST
BERTON CHURCHILL
BRADLEY PAGE
FRANK M. THOMAS
HAROLD HUBER
PAUL GUILFOYLE
BARBARA PEPPER
AND OTHERS
Rating: B. F. H. K. O a.
The Story: Taking a dare, play boy-lawyer, Foster, is announced as candidate for mayor. He falls in love with Joan Fontaine, the daughter of Thomas, his opponent. Believing that the chief of police, Churchill, and Page are both crooked politicians, he sets out to prove it. Foster exposes the gambling racket and causes to be arrested, Churchill and Page, at the same time exonerating Thomas. Foster withdraws in favor of Mayor Thomas. He and Joan make up their political and love differences.
COMMENT : This is better than average programmer. The romantic interest is excellent. The story is well written and splendidly produced. As the plot unfolds, it builds interest apd closes with a quite logical and satisfactory finish. Preston Foster and Joan Fontaine are more than pleasing and both score with excellent performances. Supporting players give a fine account of themselves with Paul Hurst, Herbert Mundin, Paul Guilfoyle, Bradley Page and Berton Churchill, standing out perceptibly with their acting. Richard Lane is extremely effective in a brief but highly important comedy role. Screen play by Maxwell Shane and David Silverstein makes the most of Olga Moore’s original story, while Christy Cabanne’s direction is highly commendable. Credit also goes to Robert Sisk for fine production supervision. Photography, sets and recording are top notch.
Advertising: Play up reasonably strong cast names. Also title, which should prove attractive and worthwhile in street ballyfioo. Merchants for cooperative page, stressing fine wardrobe for both men and women. Window displays, styles and latest fashions. Tie up with bakery shops to display elaborate cakes. Hold political debate on stage, limiting speakers to brief period. Title in four large card signs, using four pretty girls for street stunt. — JOE BLAIR.
Short Subjects Previews — Page Seven
THE LADY ESCAPES
(formerly "Escape from Love")
20th Century-Fox
BADLY PRODUCED FILM. STORY IS WEAK, SILLY & POORLY DIRECTED. WILL DO MORE HARM THAN BUILD BIZ. Associate Producer Leslie L. Landau. Directed by Eugene Forde. Screen Play by Don Ettlinger. Based upon the novel and play "My Second Wife” by Eugene Heltai. Photography by Lucien Andriot, A.S.C. Release date June 18, 1937. Running time at preview 61 minutes.
Linda Ryan
Michael Hilton
Irene Blanchard .... Fanny Worthington Reggie Farnworth
Dolores
Judge
Drake
Antonio
Monsieur Cheval ..
Pierre
Uncle George
THE CAST
GLORIA STUART
MICHAEL WHALEN
GEORGE SANDERS
CORA WITHERSPOON
GERALD OLIVER-SMITH
JUNE BREWSTER
HOWARD HICKMAN
JOSEPH TOZER
DON ALVARADO
MAURICE CASS
FRANKLIN PANGBORN
TOM RICKETTS
Rating: C. F. I. L. Q. a.
The Story: Weary of the extensive preparations
for his marriage to Gloria Stuart, Whalen pulls a fast one by having the judge really marry them at the wedding rehearsal. ..Soon after the first anniversary, Whalen persuades Gloria to get a divorce, saying they are unsuited to each other. ..He even offers to help her find a husband to succeed him. After a long and fruitless search, Gloria is saved from scandal by her husband. ..Gloria begs him to take her back and they start over again.
COMMENT: This is one of the worst pictures to come off the 20th Century-Fox lot in a long time. It puts to shame the fine production standard set by Darryl Zanuck. To Exhibitors who are compelled to play this, it will do more harm to their patronage than any semblance of good. Cancel it out if possible and avoid complaints and clientele disgust. The story is provokingly silly, ill-conceived and has many poorly directed scenes. There is no romantic appeal and many of the situations will irritate patrons beyond endurance. Tbe two leading players, Michael Whalen and Gloria Stuart perform capably enough, but their talents are totally sacrified to such an extent that one or two more films of this calibre and they are through as name values. Balance of cast are either unsuited for their roles or are terrible actors. June Brewster’s work, for instance, is “ham-y” and extremely unconvincing. Gerald Oliver-Smith’s English accent, which was not easily understood, and his mannerisms were neither entertaining or funny. Although the photography and sets are of exquisite taste, the recording and assembling of material represents a poor job of picture making.
Advertising: Over-selling of a weak pic
ture has its reactions but to those who wish to exploit this one, emphasis upon the marital wrangling and discontented wives might serve a purpose. Tie-ups luggage
concerns, steamship lines, merchants for wedding outfits, florists for corsages. Arrange honeymoon itinerary for bridal couple. Admit free on opening day, couples celebrating their 1st wedding anniversary.— JOE BLAIR.
THERE GOES MY GIRL
RKO-RadIo
ARTIFICIAL NEWSPAPER STORY WITH GENE RAYMOND -ANN SOTHERN TEAM BREEZING ALONG TO CLIMAX END. Produced by William Sisfrom. Directed by Ben Holmes. Screen Play by Harry Segall. Story by George Beck. Photographed by Joseph H. August, A.S.C. Release date May 21, 1937. Running time at preview 73 minutes.
Jerry
Connie
Dunn
Whaler
Tate
Rethburn
Margot Whitney Mrs. Andrews ... Bum
THE CAST
GENE RAYMOND
ANN SOTHERN
.'. GORDON JONES
RICHARD LANE
FRANK JENKS
BRADLEY PAGE
JOAN WOODBURY
MARLA SHELTON
ALEC CRAIG
AND OTHERS
Rating: B. F. K. H. O. a.
The Story: Ann Sothern and Raymond, reporters
on rival papers, have their wedding ceremony disrupted by a murder. Raymond leaves Ann flat when she insists on chasing the culprits. When she finds out the murder was a hoax instigated by editor Lane, she tries to find Raymond. Both are sent to work in another city on murder case, and Raymond says thumbs down on Ann, but when she is wounded he writes her story for her. Again Lane almost spoils things, but Raymond "taps" him on the nose and this time the wedding "takes."
COMMENT: This picture has some dull
moments and also some lively ones. The newspaper story is quite artificial and some of the sequences greatly exaggerated, but for the younger generation. Gene Raymond and Ann Sothern romping through their work, will please and entertain. There is a fair romantic interest, some clever gags with interest maintained throughout. Performances by Gene Raymond and Ann Sothern are excellent while supporting players Richard Lane, Joan Woodbury, Alec Craig and Frank Jenks, stand out in order named. Photography, sets and recording above ordinary.
Advertising: Play up team of Gene Ray
mond and Ann Sothern. Opportunity for stage wedding — also use bride and groom characters. Title placarded for street stunt. Spanish Dancer for stage act. Displays of luggage, florists, portable typewriters, and fashion stills. Also opportunity for fashion show in running a cooperative page. Men’s furnishings display, using stills of Gene Raymond. Also merchants tie-up on title. — JOE BLAIR.