Hollywood Motion Picture Review (1937-1940)

September 28, 1940 HOLLYWOOD MOTION PICTURE REVIEW Page 3 PREVIEWS OF CURRENT RELEASES K.y BOX-OFFICE RATING AA Exceptionally Big Picture A Very Good B Good average product C Weak D No recommendations -t added means 25% greater — added means 25% less PRODUCTION COST RATING ARTISTIC RATING E Lavish production H Excellent F Average production I Good G An economy picture 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 communities M Contains considerable censorable material N Includes drinking scenes and liquor display CLASS OF HOUSE O Suited to all theatres P Good product for smaller houses 9 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 S Suitable booking for colored trade BOOKING SUGGESTION W Good— program T Good — preferred X Fair — program U Fair — preferred Y Poor — program V Poor — preferred Z Dual bill fare TYPE OF PICTURE a Comedy Drama b Melodrama c Musical d Mystery Drama e Comedy f Western g Farce SPRING PARADE U niversal DISTINCTIVE CHARM IN ROMANTIC COMEDY LAID IN OLD VIENNA WITH WALTZ MUSIC & SONGS PREDOMINATE. GOOD ACTION. Produced by Joseph Pasternak. Directed by Henry Koster. Screen Play by Bruce Manning and Felix Jackson. Original Story by Ernst Marischka. Photography by Joseph Valentine, A.S.C. Sound by Joe Lapis. Release date September 27, 1940. Running time at preview 90 minutes. Ilonka Tolnay Harry Marten The Peasant . The Emperor . The Baker The Kids Headwalter Jenny Count Zorndorf Irene Captain Wiedelmeyer .... Fortune Teller . Sergeant Von Zimmerl . .. THE CAST DEANNA DURBIN ROBERT CUMMINGS MISCHA AUER HENRY STEPHENSON ...S. Z. SAKALL BUTCH & BUDDY WALTER CATLETT ANNE GWYNNE ALLYN JOSLYN PEGGY MORAN REGINALD DENNY FRANKLIN PANGBORN ED GARGAN WADE BOTELER SAMUEL S. HINDS Rating: A — . E. H. K. O. T. a/c The Story: Deanna Durbin, a young peasant girl, falls asleep on a load of hay and awakens to find herself in Vienna. Sakall. driver of the wagon, takes Deanna home with him where she shares a room with Anne Gwynne. the shop girl. Cummings, a young soldier, comes to the shop to see Anne and meets Deanna instead. The two fall very much In love and Cummings writes a waltz which creates a sensation. Stephenson, the emperor, gives Cummings a position of honor conducting the orchestra which plays his waltz. COMMENT : There is distinctive charm to this latest Deanna Durhin romantic com edy with music, which is laid in Vienna of other days and features waltz music and songs. Miss Durbin sings in splendid voice and her performance is excellent. The story is well written with a fine romantic interest and good comedy. The tempo is lively and there is excellent production values throughout. Robert Cummings scores one of the best performances of his career opposite Miss Durbin. His work sparkles with animation and his talents are numerous. S. Z. Sakall does splendidly in a portrayal which gains in sympathy as well as winning in comedy scenes. Mischa Auer, Henry Stephenson, Anne Gwynne, Franklin Pangborn and Peggy Moran portray small but effective supporting roles. The picture is superbly J produced by Joe Pasternak, and direction by Henry Koster is notable for its charm, fine handling of music and songs, together with realistic Vienna atmosphere. Joseph Valentine’s artistry with the camera produced beautiful and noteworthy photography throughout. Fine settings by Jack Otterson add to the visual pleasure, while musical score, recording and general production details are all carried out on a high standard scale. Advertising: Title is attractive. Play up the fine music and songs. Hold a city wide SO YOU WONT TALK? Columbia WEAK ENTERTAINMENT. FARCE COMEDY WITH UNREAL AND AT TIMES SILLY SITUATIONS. FEW GOOD GAGS— OTHERS HACKNEYED. Produced by Robert Sparks. Directed by Edward Sedgwick. Original Screenplay by Richard Flournoy. Photography by Allen G. Siegler, A.S.C. Sound by Lambert Day. Release date October 3, 1940. Running time at preview 66 minutes. THE CAST "Whiskers" ) jqE E. BROWN Brute Hanson ) Lucy Walters FRANCES ROBINSON Maxie Carewe VIVIENNE OSBORNE Bugs LInaker . BERNARD NEDELL Dude TOM DUGAN Dopey DICK WESSEL Dolf ANTHONY WARDE Rating: B — . F. I. K. O. Y. a/g The Story: Brown and his girl, Frances Robinson, are fired from their job so they decide to write a novel. Brown has his whiskers shaved off which makes him the Image of an escaped gang leader. Members of the gang think he has gone crazy when he fails to recognize them so they kidnap him. He escapes but Frances talks him into going back so he can get material for the novel. He encounters the real gangster who escapes with Frances while the police pursue Brown. The gangsters are captured and Brown and Frances are happy. COMMFNT : If Joe F. Brown would stop trying to ‘hog’ all the scenes and allow others to have something to do in his pictures, and also give over the love interest to a young couple, he might stage a screen comeback. In this picture, he plays a dual role and is on the screen constantly. His kissing scenes with a leading lady young enough to be his daughter, no doubt will prove distasteful to many patrons. As the picture now stands, it is pretty weak entertainment. The story is ^arce comedy with many of the situations unbelievable and at times, silly. A few gags are funny while others are so old they have whiskers. Nothing outstanding in the way of performances. although Tom Dugan and Frances Robinson give good accounts of themselves in their roles. Direction, photography, settings, recording, musical score, and general production values are of good program average. Advertising: Not much to work on either in star value or title. Opportunity for fashions with furs, wardrobe, luggage, etc., for displays. Use mistaken identity idea for letter contest on amusing incidents. For street or lobby stunt, use bewhiskered man, title placarded, offering cash prize to person making him talk. — JOF BLAIR waltz contest in honor of the Viennese songs and waltz music of the picture. Distribute cards bearing fortunes as door announcements. Tie-up with local bakery for Vienna bakery goods display. Costumes for usherettes. — JOF BLAIR MELODY AND MOONLIGHT Republic DANDY MUSIC, SONGS, COMEDY, DIALOGUE CRACKS IN STORY WHICH HAS ROMANCE, LIVELY ACTION AND YOUTH APPEAL. Associate Producer Robert North. Directed by Joseph Santley. Screenplay by Bradford Ropes. Original Story by David Silverstein. Photography by Ernest Miller. Release date October II, 1940. Running time at preview 71 minutes. THE CAST Danny O’Brian JOHNNY DOWNS Hildegard BARBARA ALLEN (VERA VAGUE) Abner Kellogg JERRY COLONNA Kay JANE FRAZEE Ginger MARY LEE Dutch Reilly FRANK JENKS Gloria CLAIRE CARLETON Otis Barnett JONATHAN HALE Standish Prescott MARTEN LAMONT and "THE KIDOODLERS" Rating: B. F. I. K. O. W. c The Story: Jane Frazee, Public Deb. Number One, becomes tired of her social life and seeks work under an assumed name. She and Downs form a dancing team and go after a radio sponsor. They fine one but he is influenced by Jane's father. Downs has a quarrel with Jane over her true identity but make up when Jane's ex-fiance offers to sponsor them on a radio broadcast. The team promise to become Mr. & Mrs. COMMFNT : Here is a musical show that will give splendid satisfaction. The music, songs and talented dancing and singing acts are exceptionally good. In addition, there is plenty of comedy, a nice romantic interest and no dull moments. Some of the dialogue cracks between Barbara Allen (Vera Vague of radio fame) and Jerry Colonna are very clever and will bring down the house with laughter. Johnny Downs and Jane Frazee handle the featured roles and both deliver talented singing, dancing and acting performances. Mary Lee also scores effectively in this department. Jonathan Hale, Claire Carleton, Frank Jenks and Marten Lamont are all excellent in their respective roles. The screenplay hy Bradford Ropes is very well written. Joseph Santley’s direction is due for high praise for makmg the most of every situation, together with the fine handling of song and dance routines. Photography, settings, recording and general production values are of excellent program quality. Advertising: Play up the title. Also songs, music and tap dancing. Hold a city wide dance contest to select young couple for championship. Arrange fashion displays of furs, gowns; also luggage tie-ups. Contact music stores and song shops for cooperative publicity. Radio stations and editors for plugs on Vera Vague and Jerry Colonna.— JOF BLAIR (Additional Previews on Page 5)