Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1936)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY MOTION PICTURE DAILY5 HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW "The Bold Caballero" {Republic) Hollywood, Nov. 23. — The legendary Zorro character, returned to the screen through the medium of Magnacolor, is Republic's first venture in the color field. The film is an average western drama-romance drawn against a historical background. The obvious intention of the producers was to counterbalance the worth or color and thrill action, hut it seems that both have been sacrificed needlessly. In the story, Robert Livingston, playing the dual role of bandit and Zorro, friend of the populace, falls in love with Heather Angel when she assumes the duties of her father, the Governor, who has been slain. The theme of the story has Livingtson seeking to deliver the peons from the yoke of oppressive taxes imposed by the land-grabbing white invaders. Marked by the usual routine mechanics common to the typical thrill-action western, with the characteristic display of great personal valor, Indians, in the usual excitement-provoking way, rescue Livingston from death and Miss Angel from a loveless marriage. Livingston, Miss Angel, Sig Rumann, Ian Wolfe and Robert Warwick contribute respectable performances despite the handicaps of faulty story construction and the shortcomings of the plot. Wells Root authored the story and directed the film. Production Code Seal No. 2,681. Running time, 72 minutes. "G." "Hats Off" (Boris Petroff — Grand National) Hollywood, Nov. 23. — This first musical offering from Grand National does not come up to expectations. Sincere effort has been put into the production, acting and direction, but a weak story keeps the picture down to the average entertainment classification. The plot concerns the efforts of Mae Clarke and John Payne, press agents for rival communities, to obtain the services of Luis Alberni for their respective clients. Alberni is sought to produce an exposition for the cities. In the course of events, Miss Clarke and Payne fall in love, are separated and come together again for the finish. The story also allows the introduction of specialties by the three Radio Rogues, Val and Ernie Stanton, Jimmy Hollywood and others, none of which, however, is strong enough to make the film a top attraction. Boris Petroff directed the script which was written by Sam Fuller and Edmund Joseph. Four musical numbers have been contributed by Ben Oakland and Herb Magidson. Previewed without production code seal. Running time, 68 minutes. "G." Looking 9Em Over "Come Closer, Folks" {Columbia) Lively, entertaining fare of the unpretentious, double bill type, this should fill a spot on the dual program. Telling a yarn of the pitchmen, those lads who sell anything for nothing on the streets, it is featured by a fast-stepping performance by James Dunn, as the best of them. When he meets the girl, Marion Marsh, he decides to go straight, via the operation of a small city department store, almost hits a snag, but gets by to a happy fadeout. There is an entertaining spark of comedy running through the yarn, and some possibilities for exploitation tieups locally in that the story has much to do with department store operation. When things get tough in the big town, Dunn hits the smaller jumps with Wynne Gibson as his partner. When he meets Miss Marsh, operator of a large department store, he joins up, with the original intention of selling her out, but when romance dawns, he straightens out, and although Miss Gibson tries to ruin him with Miss Marsh, it all comes out when Dunn stages a play that beats the serious competition in the town. Production Code Seal No. 2,536. Running time, 60 minutes. "G." 20 "Diggers" Due Today At Washington, D. C. Washington, Nov. 23. — Warners' "Gold Diggers" plane is scheduled to arrive here at 11 o'clock this morning from Pittsburgh. It will land at Boiling Field. The 12 girls and three principals, Jeanne Madden, Rosalind Marquis and Fred Lawrence, will be entertained at lunch at the District Bldg. and will make two appearances at the Earle. They will leave for Philadelphia tomorrow. The troupe was met at Pittsburgh yesterday by a fleet of planes, a bugle and drum corps, the Junior Birdmen, the Hawkins Kids' Club, Boy Scouts and Ben Bernie and his band. A reception and broadcast over KDKA took place at the City Hall. They made an appearance at the Stanley and in the Chatterbox Room of the William Penn. Charter Columbia Unit Dover, Del., Nov. 23. — Columbia Pictures of the Philippines, Inc., was formed here today with a listed capital of 10,000 shares. Incorporators are Max Seligman, Richard Philpott and Floyd Weber, all of New York. Columbia will open its own exchange in Manila about the first of the year, it was stated yesterday at the home office. Heretofore, the company's product has been distributed in the Philippines by independent distributors. J. B. Albeck, Far Eastern head with headquarters at Tokyo, will supervise the opening of the new office and install a manager, so far unselected. Trendle Books "Allah" Detroit, Nov. 23. — In line with the new booking arrangement with M-G-M and United Artists, George W. Trendle has booked "The Garden of Allah" into the Madison, starting Thanksgiving Day. Wall Street Paramount, Universal Off Sharply Net High Low Close Change 37% 3634 37 % 44 44 44 VA 4% 4% % Consolidated, pfd. 17 16% 16% % 181 180 180 —1 Gen. T. Equip... 29% 28 28 — % 6V/s 613% 613% % 203/6 193% 1934 —1 Paramount 1 pfd.. 148^4 142 142 —6 Paramount 2 pfd. 18% 17% 17% —1 Pathe Film m 8% m — % RKO 10 9 9 % 20th Century -Fox 37Vz 36% 36% —1% 20th Century, pfd. 46% 45% 46 % Universal, pfd 105 105 105 —5 Warner Bros. .. 16% 16% 16% — % 64% 64 64 "U" Has Curb Loss Net High Low Close Change Grand National . . 3% 3% 3% — % • 23% 2% 2% % . 233% 23 23% . 5 4% 4% Universal Pict. . • 13% 13% 13% -1% RKO Bonds Gain 7'/2 Points Net High Low Close Change Loew's 6s '41 ww deb rights 101% 101 101 Paramount Pict. 's '55 100% 100%, 100% ■<0 6s '41 pp.... 102% 102 102% +1% vVarner Bros. 6s '39 wd 98% 98 98 — % (Quotations at close of Nov. 23) Steen Joins U. P. Al Steen, for 10 years with Associated Publications where his posts in cluded the managing editorship as well as field representative, has joined the radio department of United Press in New York. Tuesday, November 24, 1936 Variety Club Columbus Columbus, Nov. 23. — M. R. Clark has been elected head of the Variety Club tent for the sixth consecutive year. Other officers named at the last annual meeting were : First vice-president, George M. Trautman; second vice-president, Harry Schrieber ; secretary, P. J. Wood; treasurer, Jacob Luft; directors, J. Real Neth, William G. Pullin, Max Stearn, Albert Redman, Leo Haenlein and William S. Cunningham. Clark and Stearn were named to represent the tent at the national convention of Variety Clubs. Milwaukee Milwaukee, Nov. 23. — The Variety Club sponsored preview of "Camille" at Fox's Wisconsin, originally scheduled for Nov. 28, has been postponed to Dec. 5. The special midnight showing will be a gala one with proceeds going to its Heart of Variety. Washington Washington, Nov. 23. — Five hundred barkers and friends of Variety Club gathered in the ballroom of the Willard last Saturday, for the third annual dinner and dance of Tent No. 11. Sam A. Galanty and Carter T. Barron were in charge. Proceedings were opened with an invocation by Rev. Dr. John Keating Cartwright. During the dinner acts from local night clubs were presented with Audrey Seiber and Lee Everett as masters of ceremonies. After dinner the combined stage shows of the Earle and Loew's Capitol were presented, with Johnny Perkins the m.c, climaxed by the appearance of Jimmy Lunceford. Among those appearing were the Elida Ballet, Pat Rooney, Pat Rooney III, Marion Bent, Janet Reade, Vanya Orlik, Eleana Lolik, DeRoza, Madelyn Killeen, Neila Goodelle, the Manginis, Cappa Barra and his Harmonica Ensemble, Cookie Bowers, Lou Duthers with Jean and Joan, and Robert Duke. NOW NATION-WIDE AIR EXPRESS SERVICE Everywhere in the U. S. 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