Hollywood Motion Picture Review (1937-1940)

July 31, 1937 HOLLYWOOD MOTION PICTURE REVIEW Page 7 BLONDE TROUBLE (Formerly "Good Night Ladies") Paramount FAIR PROGRAMMER HAS GOOD CAST BUT SPOm STORY HINDERS. WILL BE OF INTEREST TO JUVENILES. General Manager's Office production. Directed by George Archainbaud. Screenplay by Lillie Hayward. From a play by Ring Lardner and George S. Kaufman. Photographed by Henry Sharp, A.S.C. Release date August 6, 1937. Running time at preview 66 minutes. Edna Baker Fred Stevens .... Joe Hart Eileen Fletcher . Maxle Schwartz Paul Sears Danny Fox Window Washer Goldie Foster ... Lucille Sears THE CAST ELEANORE WHITNEY JOHNNY DOWNS LYNNE OVERMAN TERRY WALKER , BENNY BAKER ... WILLIAM DEMAREST JOHN PATTERSON EL BRENDEL KITTY McHUGH HELEN FLINT Rating: B. F. I. K. O. a. The Story: Downs, amateur song-writer from up state New York, meets Eleanore Whitney on the train en route to the city, where he plans to look up Demarest, a semi-successful song-writer. Downs gets tangled up with a pair of scheming females and unexpectedly finds himself on the road to fame. At the last minute he finds out he has been duped by Overman the publisher, and tosses the whole thing off in favor of Eleanore, only to discover that he's really a hit after all. COMMENT : Johnny Downs and Eleanore Whitney, that excellent singing and dancing team who made such a hit in “Turn Off the Moon”, are again paired in this story, but it’s a sad fact that Miss Whitney was left out of the picture considerably. Also, Johnny Downs gives a fair performance, but his role may prove boresome to older patrons as be is obliged to talk almost continuously; also, be or Miss Whitney are not given a cbance to demonstrate tbeir musical talents. However, the film will appeal to juveniles and those who favor nonsensical twitter. The entire cast are excellent with outstanding bits contributed by Lynne Overman, Terry Walker and a marvelous comedy and musical role is turned in by El Brendel. Benny Baker sings one song nicely but otherwise he is not given much to do. The story is rather spotty but George Archainbaud’s direction is okay, considering the small amount of good story material he had to enlarge upon. Henry Sharp’s photography, together with the sets and recording, were tops. Advertising: The title has been well used and not of much value here, except for pretty girl art in lobby. Play up the team of Downs and Whitney; also the team of comedians in cast. Good for the usual radio and music tie-ups on the theme song, “It’s All in Eun”. Run a song contest, with merchants cooperating with prizes. Contact music schools. Distribute dodgers in beauty, barber shops, music stores and cafes. Good for trained dog show or contest. — A. B. ADDITIONAL NEWS Ruby Keeler, has been signed to a long term contract with RKO-Radio. Her first picture will be "Love Below Freezing," in which she will star with Mitzi Green. The story which will be a Pandro S. Berman production, is a musical comedy penned' by Dana Burnet, nationally known as a playwright, short story writer and poet. The music will be written by Lew Brown and Ray Henderson. THAT CERTAIN WOMAN Warner Bros. DRAMATIC STORY. A LIHLE HEAVY BUT IT HOLDS GOOD INTEREST. IS NICELY ENACTED AND PRODUCED. Produced by Hal B. Wallis. Associate Producer Robert Lord. Written and Directed by Edmund Gouldlng. Photographed by Ernest Haller, A.S.C. Release date Sept. 18, 1937. Running time at preview 95 minutes. THE CAST Mary Donnell BETTE DAVIS Jack Merrick HENRY pONDA Lloyd l^ogers IAN HUNTER Flip ANITA LOUISE Merrick, Sr DONALD CRISP Virgil Whitaker HUGH O'CONNELL Mrs. Rogers KATHERINE ALEXANDER Amy MARY PHILLIPS Tfrdon MINOR WATSON Valko BEN WELDEN Detective Neely SIDNEY TOLER Dr. James CHARLES TROWBRIDGE Fred NORMAN WILLIS Dr Hartman HERBERT RAWLINSON Kenyon TIM HENNING Jackie DWANE DAY Rating: B. E. H. L. O. b. The Story: Bette Davis' gangster husband is killed and she has since given up her former associates. A reporter threatens to expose her to her boss. Ian Hunter, only to discover he already knew. Her marriage to Fonda is annulled by his father. Crisp, and Fonda leaves for Europe. Bette returns to work tor Hunter. Fonda marries Anita Louise but they are seriously injured In an accident. He recovers but she is crippled for life. In the meantime, Bette has a child. Eventually, she meets Fonda and again their love is kindled. Anita offers to give up her husband. Thru Hunter's death, Bette again makes front page news, implications being that she was his mistress and he, the father of her child. She gives her child to Anita and Fonda and leaves for Europe. Later when Anita dies, Fonda locates Bette and they are free to begin life anew. COMMENT : This story is a heavy dra matic offering and its telling is a longdrawn-out affair. However, tbe film has considerable appeal for women. The love interest is made up of a series of romantic interludes. There is not much comedy relief. The acting is splendid and the picture is nicely produced. Bette Davis is exceptionally good in her role. Henry Fonda also shares top honors with a grand performance. Ian Hunter, Donald Crisp, Anita Louise and little Dwane Day are all outstanding in their respective roles. Photography, direction, sets, wardrobe, recording are all of top standard. Advertising: Stress woman appeal — hold special matinee for women. For lobby and newspapers use photos of Bette Davis, Henry Fonda and Ian Hunter to form triangle romantic appeal. Hold birthday party for four-year-old youngsters, promoting birthday cake and ice cream. Also display toys, children’s clothes, etc. Use candid camera angle as street stunt. Use mystery woman visiting merchants at appointed hour in title build up. —JOE BLAIR. William Powell Is to star in "Jean"_ for 20th Century-Fox it was announced recently by Darryl F. Zanuck. "Jean" will be the screen version of the stage play current in London and authored by the Viennese playwright, Ladislaus Bus-Fekete. "Jean" will also serve as the Hollywood debut production of Annabella, reigning continental screen star, who scored a hit with the American public recently in "Wings of the Morning." The picture will be filmed in October. PREVIEWS (Continued from page 5) HEROES OF THE ALAMO Sunset Productions (State Rights) INDEPENDENT FILM. STORY BASED ON THE NOTED TEXAS MASSACRE. SHOULD DO WELL IN SMALLER HOUSES. Produced by Anthony J. Xydias. Directed by Harry Fraser. Screenplay by Roby Wentz. Photographed by Robert Cline. Recording Engineer Corson Jowett. Release date not announced. Running time at preview 72 minutes. THE CAST Stephen Austin Almerlan Dickinson Anne Dickinson Davy Crockett Wm. B. Travis James Bowie James Bonham Gen. Santa Anna ... Gen. Cos Gen. Castlllon Sam Houston Angelina Dickinson .. EARL HODGINS BRUCE WARREN RUTH FINDLAY LANE CHANDLER REX LEASE ROGER WILLIAMS .... LEE VALIAN05 JULIAN RIVERO WILLY GASTELLO PAUL ELLIS EDWARD PIEL, SR. MARILYN HASLETT Rating: B. G. I. K. P. b. The Story: Settlers in Texas are goaded into re volt by the heavy taxation of General Santa Anna. When news that the Mexican ruler is marching on them, the settlers under Travis, Crockett and Bowie assemble in the Alamo, where they carry on a hopeless struggle until the last man. Ruth Findlay, wife of Bruce Warren, survives to tell of the heroic stand. COMMFNT : Granted that this picture is made for the state rights market and by an independent producer, the story does not contain much appeal for patrons in theatres outside of the Lone Star State. The story is quite talkative in putting over the historical facts and what little romantic interest the film contains is made up in wifely devotion. \^ hile there is considerable action, there is practically no comedy. Some of the acting is worthwhile and some of it is a bit amateurish. Direction, photography, sets, music, etc., are excellent for this type of release. Advertising: Title is an excellent one and might prove an A-1 draw in all localities. If exploited in Texas or adjoining states, obtain civic, educational and old timers’ cooperation. Display in lobby, windows and in street ballyhoo relics, old photographs. manuscripts, etc. Decorate theatre with American and Mexican flags. Use uniformed soldier patrol in front of theatre. Build sandbag parapet barricade in foyer or lobby. Covered wagon title placarded for street stunt. Hold letter contest for juveniles to name Heroes of the Alamo fight. — JOF BLAIR. (Additional Previews on Page 8) CLIP THIS AND MAIL AT ONCE To: Joe Blair, Editor-Publisher Hollywood Motion Picture Review , 1040 No. Martel Ave., Hollywood, Calif. Here is my $10.00 for one year's subscription to your new magazine. Name Address City