Hollywood Motion Picture Review (1937-1940)

Page 8 HOLLYWOOD MOTION PICTURE REVIEW June 19, 1937 PREVIEWS (Continued from page 7) discovers that Baxter is the murderer and forces him to turn school into a racket. Police finally arrest Baxter but Davis, young attorney, defends him and after impassioned speech gains his freedom. Immigrants think Davis is linked with Baxter in school racket and threaten to kill him. Baxter leaps from roof of building to death in order to prove Davis' innocence and clears way for Davis and Leeds to marry. COMMENT: If the full value of this story idea had been realized by the picture, this would have been an outstanding film, but it is so weakly handled in its treatment that it tends to become boring and overly melodramatic. Judicious editing may help but audience at preview started walking out in middle of picture because of dragginess. Players fail to register as whole, though Owen Davis handles his plea-to-the-jury scene with fine restraint indicating capabilities for more worthy roles. Phil Rosen’s direction and the production values are above the average from this studio. Advertising: Sell the idea of a school for American Citizenship for all the drama it suggests. Point out that here is a new racket never before touched on the screen. Interest all foreign-American societies in your community. A malted milk plays a part in the romance and offers possibilities for soda-fountain tie-ups. Tie-up with law schools and interest attorneys in court scene. — A. B. ANYTHING FOR A THRILL ACTION PROGRAMMER. STORY IS MORE APPEALING TO ADOLESCENTS & KIDS THAN ADULTS. HAS GOOD COMEDY. Produced by Maurice Conn. Directed by Les Goodwins. Screenplay by Joseph O'Donnell and Stanley Lowensteln. Original Story by Peter B. Kyne. Photographer Jack Greenhalgh. Release date July I, 1937. Running time at preview 59 minutes. THE CAST Don Mallory Cliff Mallory Jean Roberts Betty Kelley The "Eerl" Mr. Kelley Collins Joe FRANKIE DARRO .. KANE RICHMOND JUNE JOHNSON ANN EVERS JOHNSTONE WHITE .. HORACE MURPHY EDDIE HEARN ERNIE ADAMS Rating: B. G. I. K. P. b /e The Story: Darro is advanced in the esteem of his brother Richmond, a newspaper photographer, when he nets Richmond a $250.00 bonus by obtaining photographs of Ann Evers, an heiress. Darro shoots pictures of a bank hold-up and as the film is being run off, the ringleader. White, posing as an Earl and also as the fiance of Ann, arrives and a battle ensues. White is captured and Ann turns her affection to Richmond, while Darro attempts to teach June Johnson, his girl, the vagueries of grinding a camera. COMMENT: In this picture. Independ ent Producer Maurice Conn has turned out another credible fast action romantic comedy drama that will please most audiences. It is especially appealing to kids and adolescents. Showmen should endeavor to date the picture on days when parents accompany their children to the theatre. The story has a good romantic interest, plenty of action, and lots of comedy. Excellent performances are given by Frankie Darro, June Johnson, Johnstone White, Kane Richmond and Ann Evers. Direction of Les Goodwins is splendid and supervision by Martin G. Cohn is commendable. Photography, sets, and recording above average. Advertising: Play up title and cast. Cam era shops for equipment display and arrange camera snapshot contest. Run special offer one child free accompanied by parents. Arrange mystery woman to visit mercbants offering tickets to persons properly identifying her. Radio dealers for portable radio display. — JOE BLAIR. SWEETHEART OF THE NAVY Grand National NAVY PICTURE UNDERVALUE PRODUCT. MEDIOCRE PROGRAMMER FOR DUALER. LINDEN & PARKER FOR MARQUEE. Producer B. F. Zeldman. Directed by Duncan Mansfield. Original story by Garrett Graham and Jay Strauss. Screenplay by Caroll Graham. Pho tographed by Edward Snyder. Release date June 25, 1937. Running time at preview 61 minutes. THE CAST Eddie Harris ERIC LINDEN Joan Whitney CECILIA PARKER Commander Lodge ROGER IMHOF Mazle BERNADENE HAYES Bumper JASON ROBARDS Andy CULLY RICHARDS Pete DON BARCLAY Carson JOHN T. MURRAY Rating: C. G. I. K. P. a. The Story: Unable to meet her bills, Cecilia Parker, half owner of a San Pedro cabaret, arranges a boxing match between Linden and Robards, champion boxer of the navy. ..Commander Imhof refuses to recommend Linden tor Annapolis if he insists upon fighting. Cecilia and Linden fall in love and unable to make up her mind rega rding the fight, she asks Imhof for advice. ..Linden misinterprets Imhof's visit and leaves in a rage denouncing them and the navy. He and Robards engage in a free-for-all in which Linden is the winner. From this brawl, the bets on the fight are paid off. Cecilia is relieved of the pressing bills and she and Linden make up, and plan for marriage after Annapolis. COMMENT : This B. F. Zeidman pro duction for Grand National release is strictly lower bracket filmfare and greatly lowers tlie standard set by Grand National. Cecilia Parker and Eric Linden, the romantic leads, bear up remarkably well and turn in good performances considering the material with which they had to work. Balance of cast arc unknown, overact and contribute nothing toward the picture’s entertainment. The story is hackneyed, the dialogue is trite and the situations are all well along in years. The direction is slow and rather jerky. The settings and photography plus a rough and tumble fight between Linden and Robards near the end of the picture, are the only redeeming features it has. Advertising: Play up Cecilia Parker and Eric Linden as popular romantic team mates. Also title, which is very good and offers many exploitation stunts. In coast towns and where appropriate, hold a “Navy Night.” Tie ups with florist shops, camera clubs, typewriter stores, and home furnishings. Sporting goods stores for boxing gloves and prize fighters’ paraphernalia. Nautical display for lobby. Blow up of huge heart with Linden and Parker breaking through for lobby poster. Man burlesqued as girl carrying sign reading “Sweetheart of the Navy,” for street stunt. —JOE PEARSON. BORN RECKLESS 20th Century-Fox ACTION PROGRAMMER. STORY STARTS SLOWLY BUT PICKS UP FOR A FAST CLIMAX. IS WELL DIRECTED. Associate Producer Milton H. Feld. Directed by Malcolm St. Clair. Original by Jack Andrews. Screen Play by John Patrick, Robert Ellis and Helen Logan. Photographed by Daniel B. Clark, A. S. C. Release date July 9, 1937. Running time at preview 60 minutes. THE CAST Bob ("Hurry") Kane Sybil Lee Martin Barnes Dorothy Windy Dad Martin Mac Louie Garage Foreman Dan District Attorney Police Commissioner Mayor BRIAN DONLEVY . ROCHELLE HUDSON ROBERT KENT BARTON McLANE PAULINE MOORE .... CHICK CHANDLER HARRY CAREY WILLIAM PAWLEY FRANCIS McDonald EDDIE DUNN .. GEORGE WOLCOTT JOE CREBON ... STANLEY ANDREWS HARVEY CLARK Rating: B. F. H. K. O. b. The Story: Donlevy, in an attempt to convict MacLane, a gangster, joins his Protective Cab Association. He meets Rochelle Hudson, one of the mob but who is in reality trying to free her brother. She and Donlevy are caught searching MacLane's safe and Rochelle is shot. Escaping in his cab, Donlevy is Injured in a wreck with the Association's armored car. In the hospital Rochelle and Donlevy make plans for their future. COMMENT : For a clientele that goes in for plenty of action and excitement, this picture fills the bill. There is everything from a big time auto race to a taxi war, along with gangsters and crooked politicians. But with it all, it’s only ordinary program entertainment and should be sold as such. There is some good slapstick comedy, a slight romantic interest and several good story twists. Performances are all okay with most of the action centering around Brian Donlevy, Rochelle Hudson and Barton MacLane, all of whom acquit themselves admirably under the expert direction of Malcolm St. Clair, who deserves credit for keeping the story moving at its rapid pace. Screenplay by John Patrick, Robert Ellis and Helen Logan is well written and contains several novel twists. Photography by Daniel B. Clark rates above average. Advertising: Title is stronger than cast names, although Rochelle Hudson, Mac Lane and Donlevy have a fair following. Tie up with local taxi company for banner parade on opening day. Free admission to kids for old tires donated to charity. Use wrecked car, title placarded for lobby or street attraction. Use tack cards headlining taxi war directing attention to picture. CLIP THIS AND MAIL AT ONCE To: Joe Blair, Edlfor-Publlsher Hollywood Motion Picture Review, 1040 No. Martel Ave., Hollywood, Calif. 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