Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1937)

Friday, February 12, 1937 MOTION PICTURE DAILY 9 Paris, Feb. 3. — This film, which is to a great extent beautiful and moving, has as its theme certain chapters taken from the tragic life of Ludwig von Beethoven. The story deals with the love of the famous musician for one of his pupils, Guiletta. Although secretly loved by Theresa de Brunswick, Beethoven thinks only of Guiletta, to whom he dedicates his immortal "Moonlight Sonata." Guiletta, however, falls in love with and marries Count Gallegen, who is a musician of little worth, and who soon makes her unhappy. In the meantime, Beethoven becomes deaf and fights in vain against this infirmity, which leaves him only occasional normal periods. While completely deaf, he composes his unforgettable "Symphoni Pastorale." The love and tenderness which Theresa de Brunswick is no longer afraid to show now that Beethoven has need of her, touches him, and he becomes engaged to her. The reappearance of Guiletta, on the day on which the engagement is announced, renders their marriage impossible. Years pass. Theresa's devotion to Beethoven does not diminish. At last Beethoven, who is poor and ill, dies during the raging of a violent storm and while the Court, at last, acclaims him a great musician. The film, directed by the famous French director, Abel Gance, is one of the most beautiful musical films seen here for a long time. As in all Gance's films, there are parts which are too long and often of a very little interest, while others are excellent. This film shows force in direction, and the music and photography are excellent. Originality, especially when Beethoven, who has become deaf, calls upon sounds he cannot hear, is another strong point. The French player, Harry Baur, offers a very interesting figure of the composer. Other players are generally good, including Annie Duvaux, Jany Holt and Jean-Louis Barrault. Running time, 100 minutes. "G." "Nitchevo" (Mega Film Prod.) Paris, Feb. 3. — This picture, the silent version of which was also directed by Jacques de Baroncelli, is a moving drama of the high seas, which aims to depict life in a submarine of the French Navy. The title comes from the name of a yacht, the Nitchevo, which is smuggling arms on the Tunisian coast. The yacht is chased by a submarine commanded by the husband of a woman who formerly had had dealings with the smugglers. This leads to a tragedy in which the lieutenant of the submarine, who in the past had helped the commander's wife to escape the clutches of the owner of the yacht, is involved. The Nitchevo is sunk, but the submarine is hit and sinks also. The crew is saved. The commander and his lieutenant remain on board the doomed submarine. There follows a moving scene between the two men, as the commander thinks that his lieutenant is his wife's lover. Finally the truth comes to light. The two men are saved through the help of a deep-sea diver. The direction is good, but the story is somewhat weak in parts. Some scenes are too long and over-emotional. The photography of the French fleet in the Mediterranean is excellent. Harry Baur adds to his many successes in the role of the commander of the submarine, Neptune. Marcelle Chantal takes the part of his wife. The cast also includes Georges Rigau as the lieutenant, Lisette Lanvin as his fiancee, and Jean Max, Ivan Mosjoukine, Paul Azais, Abel Tarride and Jean Tissier. Running time, 95 minutes. "G." Autre "The Green Light" this morning's opener at the Strand, was previewed by wire from coast on Jan. 4. . , '...*.!« "Head Over Heels in Love," which was previewed at the Roxy last night, was reviewed on Feb. 5. D "On the Avenue" at the Music Hall, "Champagne Walts at the Faiamount. "Great Guy" at the Criterion, "Camille" at the Capitol and "You Only Live rince" at the Rivoli arc holdovers. Overseas Previews Un Grand Amour de Beethoven" Short Subjects "Community Sing No. 1" (Columbia) The entertainment idea of radio broadcasts — old stuff to film audiences— should click with the same degree of receptiveness as organ-song recitals and "bouncing ball" sessions. This initial number includes Billy Jones and Ernie Hare, Little Jolly and Wendell Hall, of course. Production Code Seal No. 01,414. Running time, 10 mins. "G." "In Old Wyoming" (Paramount) Robert C. Bruce demonstrates again his ability to do unusual and beautiful things in color photography in this pictorial subject on the hilly range country of Wyoming. Silhouette effects, mountain scenery, made alive by the introduction of cowboys, in the saddle and at the campfire, and herds of steers and horses, combine against a background of the title song, to offer an effective subject, marred only by the tedium of excessive repetition of the song. Production Code Seal No. 2,846. Running time, 9 mins. "G." "Dexterity" (M-G-M) The highly developed skill and technique of such diversions as horseshoe pitching over a live target barrier, axe slinging and dog acrobatics are presented here by Pete Smith. The fine slow motion camera work and Smith comment add to the excitement. It is thrilling stuff and should make audiences gasp. Production Code Seal No. 2,794 Running time, 9 mins. "G." "Skeleton Frolic" ( Min ts Columbia ) A strikingly entertaining color-cartoon of the macabre doings of a troupe of graveyard inhabitants. The various bony acts, projected with diverting comic relief and executed with fertile imagination and invention, should be found highly amusing. Production Code Seal No. 2,841. Running time, 7 mins. "G." "The Paneless Window Washer" (Fleischer-Paramount) The inimitable and unquenchable Popeye herein demonstrates how windows really should be washed, and in the doing is forced once again to vanquish, with the aid of his spinach, his bulky rival, and to rescue Olive Oyl. The result is really amusing comedy in the Popeye cartoon manner. Production Code Seal No. 01,226. Running time, 7 mins. "G." "Where Champions Meef' (Paramount) A photographic study of Madison Square Garden and the remarkable transformations it undergoes with the aid of science and a crew of workmen as different events succeed each other, this should prove generally interesting. From the circus to ice hockey, the Garden management supplies the appropriate flooring and physical equipment. Production Code Seal No. 01,386. Running time, 9 mins. "G." ( Beethoven's Greatest Love") (General Prod.) Warners Plan Building St. Louis, Feb. 11.— Bids will be taken at an early date on the construction of a new film exchange building for Warners to be erected at 3,302 Olive St. Plans for the structure are being prepared by Preston J. Bradshaw, Inc. Asks St. Louis Censors St. Louis, Feb. 11. — Alderman L. E. Couplin has thrown into the aldermanic hopper his proposed city ordinance for the establishment of a board of censors. Couplin estimates the bill will raise $100,000 yearly for the city. Variety Club • Cincinnati Cincinnati, Feb. 11. — Through the efforts of Arthur M. Prudenfeld, main guy of the sideshow committee, Mitchell and Durant, appearing currently at the RKO Shubert, regaled the barkers at the first post-flood affair of the local tent. H. J. ("Pop") Wessel, recently reelected chief barker, has named the following committees for 1937 : Privilege Men — Allan S. Moritz, main guy ; Elmer Shard, Manny Shure, William Onie, Charles McDonald ; side show — Arthur M. Prudenfeld, main guy ; Joe Rolling, Maurice White, Bob Kennett; golf — James J. Grady, main guy ; Joe Oulihan, William Koegel ; heart — Joe Goetz, main guy ; J. N. Gelman, Harry Sheeran and Shard; bookers — William Hastings, main guy ; M. Spa NAGEL, L. J. BUGIE, FRANK SMITH J finance — I. Libson, main guy ; Edwin Booth, Paul Krieger, Grady Shard; billers — Harry Hartman, main guy ; Fritz M. Witte, E. H. Mayer and Rolling. Dallas Dallas, Feb. 11. — The local Variety Club observed its first anniversary with a luncheon at the Adolphus Hotel with 75 members present and with more than 50 directors and doctors serving the Freeman Clinic as guests. Robert J. O'Donnell, chief barker, was present. He had been away five weeks. In outlining the first year's activities O'Donnell said the club had several thousand dollars in reserve and was ready to assume further responsibilities in connection with the Freeman Clinic. Washington Washington, Feb. 11. — Two newspaper men, Nelson B. Bell and Andrew R. Kelley, were kings-for-a-day at the last luncheon. More than 100 barkers and friends turned out. Guests of honor were Eugene Meyer, publisher of the Post, and John T. Lambert, publisher of the Times, both of whom spoke extemporaneously, as also did Presidential Secretary Marvin H. McIntyre. Other guests included Alice White, Lucille Ball, Martha Sleeper and Russell Hardie of the "Hey, Diddle, Diddle" company, Edmund Plohn, new manager of the National, and Jack Garrison, manager of the Belasco. Rachel Carley, singer, entertained with Bob Stickney at the piano. Variety will turn out February 16 to do honor at Harry Hunter, newly appointed managing director for Paramount in Australia. Plan Publicity Union The American Advertising Guild, recently organized, is seeking to increase its membership through the formation of an amusement unit and the inclusion in the group of all those active in publicity work. The publicity membership would not be limited to any one field, but would include films, the legitimate theatre, radio and such other fields as department stores and the like. The guild plans to seek an affiliation with the A.F.L.