Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1937)

6 MOTION PICTURE DAILY Friday, January 8, 1937 MOTION PICTURE DAILYS HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW "Larceny on the Air" (Republic) Hollywood, Jan. 7. — Although built around an interesting plot, generally well acted, directed and produced, this film, nevertheless, is weakened by the introduction of complicated story twists which detract from its entertainment value. Basically, it is a dramatic expose of a quack medicine racket practiced via the medium of radio broadcasting. Thus the story has a topical character amplifying its commercial value. Primarily dramatic, but carrying appealing romantic contrast and comedy relief, the film is climaxed by an exciting automobile chase. Robert Livingston, a doctor associated with Willard Robertson, a Federal inspector, crusades against broadcasting distributors of fake cure-alls. Livingston's activities, portrayed with well-applied suspense, bring him into contact with Pierre Watkin, the principal faker, who manages somehow to stay within the law, and with Granville Bates, wealthy publisher and father of Grace Bradley, to whom Livingston is romantically attracted. Baffled continually in his attempts to trap Watkin, Livingston, through the influence of Bradley, wins Bates to his cause and away from the shielding of Watkin. Suspicion of murder clouds Livingston's reputation, whereupon a tense climax is evolved as he takes matters into his own hands and, in a wild automobile chase through the mountains, drives Watkin and other fakers off the air. Livingston, Watkin, Bates and Robertson handle their dramatic roles with skill and understanding. Miss Bradley, in a rather unsympathetic part, turns in a credible performance. Comedy relief is supplied by Smiley Burnette and William Newell. Byron Foulger, Wilbur Mack and Matty Fain round out a satisfactory cast. The story is based on an original screenplay by Dick English, on which he collaborated with Endre Boehm, concentrating largely on the dramatic. Irving Pichel, in his direction, elected to intensify this dramatic quality of situations, action and dialogue. The film is of the family type and should have particular interest for the younger folks. Production Code Seal No. 2,916. Running time, 62 minutes. "G." "Penrod and Sam" ( Warners) Hollywood, Jan. 7. — Strictly juvenile entertainment, this picture will show best in its subsequent runs. The situations and plot are pure hokum and will have little interest for adult audiences. The Lillie Hayward-Hugh Cummings screen play retains nothing of Booth Tarkington's original save the characters.. Although the boys remain the same wholesome youngsters the charm of the Tarkington story is missing. Billy Mauch and Harry Watson in the title roles give good performances as self-styled junior G-men who round up a gang of bank robbers. Frank Craven as young Mauch's father is thoroughly at home in a type of role he has portrayed for years. Jackie Morrow, the juvenile heavy, who becomes regular when danger threatens, and Charles Halton, his banker father, keep the action stirring. Standard gangster performances are turned in by Craig Reynolds, Allan Davis and Si Wills. William McGann's direction is slow at first, but reaches a high pitch when the youngsters have the bandits cornered, and supplies good suspense. Spring Byington is effective in a mother role. The balance of the cast includes Philip Hurlic, Bernice Pilot and Kenneth Harlan. The picture should do best with a selling campaign directed at juveniles. Production Code Seal No. 2,753. Running time, 65 minutes. "G." Oklahoma Theatres Revise Bank Night {Continued from page 1) general manager, says attendance holds up under this arrangement. Persons under 18 are not allowed to participate, he says. Injunction Extension Unlikely Chicago, Jan. 7. — Extension of the injunction granted the Iris and permitting it to continue its operation of Bank Night was seen as unlikely today when Judge Niemeyer, hearing the case in Superior Court, indicated that he thought theatres operating the game with registrations in excess of the number of seats in the house constituted a nuisance and violated the city ordinance which says that people cannot congregate in lobbies, aisles and foyers of theatres nor stand on the sidewalks in front in such a manner as to impede traffic. Edward Adcock, attorney for the theatres asking the extension of the injunction, presented his side of the case today. It will be continued tomorrow. See B&K Buy in Iris Chicago, Jan. 7. — B. & K. is reported to have purchased a half interest in the Iris, owned by Frank Scott and Harry Smythe, Bank Night distributor here. According to present indications, Scott will manage the house under B. & K. supervision with the old corporation dissolved and the new Iris Theatre Corp. formed with Smythe as president, Walter Immerman, vice-president; John Balaban, secretary, and Scott, treasurer. B. & K. at one time operated the house for the Powers estate. It was the Iris which filed the injunction now in effect permitting it to operate Bank Night despite the police ban. Condor Production Talks on Next Week Conferences on Condor production plans will begin next Monday or Tuesday with A. J. Van Beuren, Frank Snell, George Hirliman and M. H. Hoffman participating. Ken Maynard has been signed for six westerns in addition to other stars already lined up. The exact number of pictures to be produced will be decided at the sessions next week. Hirliman and Hoffman arrived from the coast the other day. Jessel Film Retitled Hollywood, Jan. 7. — "Goodbye Broadway" has been chosen by Universal as the final title for George Jessel's picture formerly called "The Thing Is the Play." Jessel will produce but will probably not be cast in the production. Leaves B. & D. Position London, Dec. 31. — Sally Sutherland has resigned from British & Dominions Film Corp., Ltd., of which she has been publicity manager for two years past. No successor has been named yet. Wauneta House Burned Lincoln, Neb., Jan. 7.— A $15,000 fire completely destroyed Dr. F. E. Rider's Crystal Theatre at Wauneta, Neb., today. A 15-degree-below-zero temperature hampered firemen. IATSE Men on Coast For Executive Meet Los Angeles, Jan. 7. — George Browne, head of the I.A.T.S.E., and several vice-presidents and representatives from all sections of the country, arrived here today to attend the semiannual I.A.T.S.E. executive board meeting which will open Monday. Sessions are expected to continue for at least a week. Individual complaints and problems confronting various locals will be taken up. The closed shop is working satisfactorily in studios, union officials said. Rubens Denies Part In St. Louis Deal Chicago, Jan. 7.— Jules Rubens, head of Great States, today emphatically denied the report that he would join with A. J. Balaban and F. & M. interests in St. Louis exhibition. Rubens declared that he is with Great States to stay, that the current story was probably the result of someone's imagination. Rubens stated that A. J. Balaban and Sam Meyers are interested in St. Louis theatres but that his understanding is that they plan to operate independently and not with F. & M. Short Subjects "The Hillbilly Goat" (Radio) Good comic-character acting and a MilesStandish-John Alden sort of plot with Edgar Kennedy in the Alden role, develops some first rate laughs. Kennedy, an electrical appliance salesman, is touring the backwoods. In order to land a contract he makes a bargain with Si Jenks to fix a wedding with Fern Emmett, a widow. Due to his inspired oratory, Kennedy almost gets himself wed to Miss Emmett. Things finally straighten out with Kennedy the butt of hillbilly ethics. Production Code Seal No. 2,471. Running time, 18 mins. "G." "The Hollanders" (Vitaphone) Taking in quite a portion of the country, this E. M. Newman "Colortour Adventure," while filmed in inferior color, manages to be diverting. The quaintness of the people and their customs are shown again. A clever flash from the European country to a Holland, Mich., U. S. A., is worked in, striking an interesting note. Production Code Seal No. 01,335. Running time, 10 minutes. "G." "Ladies' Day" (Van Beur en-Radio) Athletic women cavort through this Bill Corum effort. Handsomely filmed, it takes in feminine sporting activities in the various fields, showing much action and plenty of pretty faces. It is nicely diverting. Production Code Seal No. 01,360. Running time, 11 mins. "G." Shows Back to Phila. Fox Philadelphia, Jan. 7. — Warners will return stage shows to the Fox Jan. 15, thus booking the last spot covered in the musicians' agreement signed recently. A pit orchestra will also be used. Wall Street Board Advances General Net High Low Close Change Columbia, vtc . . 3654 3554 36 + Vs Columbia, pfd. .. 43 43 43 54 Consolidated 1754 165/6 1754 17434, + 5/6 Eastman Kodak. 174M. 174 + Va Gen. T. Equip. . 32J4 3154 3154 + 54 Loew's, Inc 67J4 25J4 66 675-6 +15/6 Paramount 247/6 2554 + Va Paramount 1 pfd.. 180 175 180 -H54 Paramount 2 pfd. 233/s 22J4 233/6 + Vs Pathe Film 10 934 10 + Vs RKO &'A 20th Century -Fox. 3554 8 + Vs 35 3554 + % 20th Century, pfd 4454 43J4 4454 + Va Warner Bros. . . . 1754 17/8 1754. + 54 + Vs Warner, pfd 6754 6754 6754 All Curb Issues Decline Net High Low Close Change Grand National . . 354 ZVs tys — Vs Sonotone 2 \Vs 2 Technicolor ZIVs 2156 2154 — 54 Trans-Lux 454 454 4J4 RKO Bonds Up 2Y& Net High Low Close Change Keith B. F. 6s '46 97 97 97 + 54 Loew's 354s '46... 10034 10054 10054 — Vs Paramount Pict. 6s '55 10054 10054 IOO54 — 54 RKO 6s '41 pp.... 120 117% 120 +254 Warner Bros. 6s '39 wd 99J4 9954 9934 — 54 (Quotations at close of Jan. 7)