Hollywood Motion Picture Review (1937-1940)

July 31, 1937 HOLLYWOOD MOTION PICTURE REVIEW P«9« 5 PREVIEWS (Continued from page 3) CHARLIE CHAN ON BROADWAY 20th Century-Fox MOST ABSORBING AND ENTERTAINING CHAN SERIES. EXCELLENT PLAYERS. HAS FAST ACTION AND DRAMA. OF Associate Producer John Stone. Directed by Eugene Forde. Screenplay by Charles Belden and Jerry Cady. Original story by Art Arthur, Robert Ellis and Helen Logan. Based on character created by Earl Derr Biggers. Photography by Harry Jackson, A.S.C, Sound by George P. Costello and Harry M. Leonard. Release date Oct. 8, 1937. Running time at preview 67 minutes. THE CAST Charlie Chan Lee Chan Joan Wendall Murdock Johnny Burke Inspector Nelson Speed Patten .. Billie Bronson Marie Collins ... Buzz Moran Thomas Mitchell Ling Tse Meeker Louie WARNER GLAND KEYE LUKE JOAN MARSH J. EDWARD BROMBERG DOUGLAS FOWLEY HAROLD HUBER DONALD WOOD LOUISE HENRY JOAN WOODBURY LEON AMES MARC LAWRENCE TASHIA MORI .... CHARLES WILLIAMS EUGENE BORDEN Rating; B. F. H. K. O. d. The Story: The suspicions of Oland and his son, Luke, are aroused when they are confronted by Louise Henry whose actions are very much out of the ordinary. Visiting a night club, a newspaperman, Wood, and Joan Marsh, a candid camera fiend, run in+o a murder; that of Louise and Fowley is held as suspect. Joan photographs the murdered victim and Oland discovers many clues. In his room, Oland comes across the body of a murdered man. Gathering all the suspects together and with the camera photos, Oland pulls an ace out of his sleeve and pronounces Wood as the murderer of both parties. The diary which Wood was after, was written by Louise, and its contents would ruin him as well as bring to justice all of the city's racketeers. COMMENT : Charlie Chan comes through once more — this time in the most interesting picture of the series. The story is cleverly constructed and contains fast action, plenty of drama and some comedy, and of course, Warner Gland’s usual Chinese philosophy. The cast, composed of talented players, turn in fine performances, with Warner Oland in his detective role that he does with finesse, and Keye Luke carries on with the comedy. Harold Huber does a hit of outstanding work that is pleasing. Douglas Fowley, Edward Bromberg, Louise Henry, Joan Marsh and Joan Woodbury, are all excellent. Donald Wood does well but it is disappointing and there is a considerable letdown when he is discovered to be the murderer. Eugene Forde’s direction is okay, while Harry Jackson exhibits beautiful photography. Advertising'^ Charlie Chan needs no special selling plan. However, stress this picture as his best. Play up the New York angle in lobby art. Distribute Charlie Chanograms. Book stores for Biggers’ book. Travel bureaus and steamship tieups. A candid camera helps solve mystery— use the camera craze to full advantage in exploitation. For foyer attraction, use a diary and surround with mystery, explaining its pages contain the secret of the picture. Distribute cardboard keys; also imprinted paper napkins in cafes. Have attendants wear back masks. — A. B, BACK IN CIRCULATION (Formerly "Angle Shooters") Cosmopol!fan-F. N. FINEST NEWSPAPER STORY SCREENED IN AGES. GOOD COMEDY, SPLENDID ACTING AND FINE ROMANCE. Produced by Hal. B. Wallis. Associate Producer Sam Bischoff. Directed by Ray Enright. From story by Adela Rogers St. Johns. Screenplay by Warren Duff. Photographed by Arthur Todd, A.S.C. Sound by Charles Lang. Release date Sept. 25, 1937. Running time at preview 83 minutes. THE CAST Bill Morgan Timmy Blake Arline Wade . Dr. Eugene Forde Murphy Snoop Davis Mac Carlton Whitney Sam Sherman Buck Attorney Bottsford Dr. Hanley Dr. Evans District Attorney Saunders The Sheriff PAT O'BRIEN JOAN BLONDELL . MARGARET LINDSAY JOHN LITEL EDDIE ACUFF CRAIG REYNOLDS . GEORGE E. STONE ... WALTER BYRON BEN WELDEN REGIS TOOMEY .... RAYMOND BROWN GORDON HART GRANVILLE BATES HERBERT RAWLINSON .. SPENCER CHARTERS Rating; B. E. H. K. O. b. The Story: Joan Blondell, newspaper woman. Is assigned by O'Brien, her boss, to cover a murder story for their paper. Thru the paper's verdict and indictment before the trial, Margaret Lindsay is convicted of her husband's murder. Disgusted with the part she has played bringing Margaret into the shadows of the electric chair, Joan convinces Litel, In love with Margaret, that she held back evidence and is shielding someone. Reassured by her sincerity, Margaret breaks her stubborn silence and produces a suicide note left by her husband with the result that she Is cleared and she marries Litel. Joan cleverly leads O'Brien to the altar. COMMENT: This is the most thrilling, suspenseful newspaper yarn screened in ages. It has a nice romance, good comedy and plenty of excitement and fine acting. It is so absorbing that the average patron will imagine himself a star reporter running down big scoop stories. Joan Blondell is outstanding. It is her best work on the screen in many months. Pat O’Brien is splendid but his role is played down in favor of Miss Blondell. Supporting players whose work is exceptional, include Margaret Lindsay, John Litel, Craig Reynolds, Regis Toomey and Eddie Acuff. The screenplay is expertly written and Ray Enright’s direction is at all times brilliant. Photogranhy, sets, recording of excellent values Advertising: Stress heavily the fact pic ture is gilt edged entertainment. Advise personal endorsement and recommendation of picture’s entertainment values. Title and cast about a stand off. Play up Blondell’s work which is sure to make a hit with the women. Invite letters on circumstantial evidence discussion. Circularize doctors, nurses, lawyers and .court attaches. Arrange with local newspaper to play up story. Snipe Cosmopolitan Magazine where the original Adela Rogers St. Johns story appeared. Decorate or display in lobby newspaper proofs. Use circulation idea of title for throwaways. —JOE BLAIR. M ♦ ♦ ♦♦ ♦♦ ♦♦ ♦♦ ♦♦ ♦♦ ♦♦ ♦♦ ♦♦ W ♦♦ *V ♦> ♦> •> ♦> ♦> ♦> Make your box-office show a profit. — •’» *’* Merchandise each picture — use our *'* reviews tor exploitation — Subscribe »*♦ to Hollywood Motion Picture Review. *’» ♦j* «>.« #.« «« ff V> ♦> ♦♦ ♦♦ ♦♦ ♦> ♦♦ ♦♦ ♦♦ ♦# •> ♦♦ ♦♦ ♦♦ ♦> LOVE TAKES FLIGHT Grand National GOOD PROGRAMMER FOR NABES & SMALL TOWNS. NEATLY WRIHEN, DIRECTED, ACTED & PRODUCED. GOOD TITLE. Producer George A. Hirliman. Associate Producer Ben Pivar. Director Conrad Nagel. Author, Ann Morrison Chapin. Screenplay by Lionel Houser and Mervin Houser. Photography by Mack Stengler. Sound by William Wilmarth. Musical Director Abe Meyers. Release date August 16, 1937. Running time at preview 72 minutes. THE CAST Neil Bradshaw Joan Lawson Spud Johnson Diana Audre Tommy ill Parker Dave Miller , Stone Rice Donald Grey Mr. Parker . . Eddie BRUCE CABOT BEATRICE ROBERTS . JOHN SHEEHAN .. ASTRID ALLWYN ELLIOT FISHER . GORDON ELLIOT EDWIN MAXWELL HARRY TYLER . WILLIAM MOORE ... GRADY SUTTON ARTHUR HOYT . WILLIAM THORN BROOKS BENEDICT Rating: B. G. I. K. P. a. The Story: Beat rice Roberts, airplane personality, makes plans for a trans-Pacific hop. Cabot, v/ith whom she is in love and formerly a transport pilot but now a famous movie star, tries to stop her but to no avail. Embittered because he gave up piloting, she tells him how soft she thinks he has become. Cabot, stowing away in the ship, is discovered by Beatrice and accused of doing it for publicity. After her arrival, she releases the story to the press and goes to her room. Cabot enters, tells her how sorry he is and that he loves her too much to have her risk her life without an experienced navigator. COMMENT: Here is a programmer that outdoes itself in all departments, and is sure-fire entertainment for the class of patronage it was designed for. Conrad Nagel has directed with smoothness and allowed his actors a naturalness that proves very effective. The story by Ann Morrison Chapin and screenplay by Lionel Houser and Mervin Houser is well written, continuously entertaining and contains its full quota of laughs, suspense, action and romance. Bruce Cabot is well east and appears to better advantage than he has in some of his recent efforts. Beatrice Roberts is charming and handles her role convincingly. Astrid Allwyn, as a temperamental movie star, is seen to good advantage. John Sheehan, aided by Grady Sutton, supplies the comedy relief. Balance of supporting players who contribute much to the entertainment qualities of the picture, include Edwin Maxwell, Harry Tyles, Gordon Elliot, William Moore, Arthur Hoyt and William Thorn. Photography, especially the air shots, by Mack Stengler, is in keeping with the production. Advertising: Title is best draw. Cabot best name for marquee. Obtain support and cooperation of local airlines. Airplane for sky writing. Model airliner for lobby display. Dress usherettes as Air Hostesses. Tie ups with Auburn and Cord automobile dealers; Men and Women’s Furnishings for sport clothes, aviation togs, evening clothes, etc. Hold a Premiere with Klieg lights, etc. Stage a movie star double contest. Arrange a parachute jump with local airport. Large map of trans-Atlantic airlanes for lobby display. Also two love birds in cage, gagging title, for lobby attraction. —JOE PEARSON. (Addit lonal Previevys on Page 7)