Motion Picture Daily (July–Sept 1938)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY Hollywood Previews "The Crowd Roars" (M-G-M) Hollywood, July 31. — There is plenty of incident, all of which is entertaining and much of which has potential exploitation value in this action story of the prize ring and the consequent romance which it provokes. A boy idolizes a prizefighter ; follows a ring career for the money there is in it. He becomes involved with a shady character, encounters a girl, falls in love with her and through the medium of that affection visions a cleaner, more honorable and happier future life. Tangled in the skein of a game that knows no honesty, hatred for his calling comes into his heart when, in a match he did not want to take, he kills his idolized mentor. Built up, via those media of skulduggery which seem to be common to the modern conduct of the manly art, he becomes a contender for championship laurels. He is also part of a "sucker game" gambling coup in which he participates willingly but not without a few conscientious qualms. When caught between two menaces, both of which jeopardize his personal safety, he learns that his ne'er-do-well father has sacrificed his life in slaying criminals who had kidnapped the girl he loved. He fights to victory when he sees that girl safe. Then he quits the ring. "The Crowd Roars" features Robert Taylor as the fighter. Considerable sympathy is won for Taylor by Gene Reynolds, who portrays him as a boy. The star reveals himself not only as a fighting fighter who should not drive women away from theatres where the film happens to play, but also as an improved actor. The principal support features Edward Arnold, Frank Morgan, Maureen O'Sullivan, William Gargan, Lionel Stander, Jane Wyman and Nat Pendleton, capable players, seen in convincing and believable roles. Based on a story by George Bruce, the screenplay was prepared by Bruce, Thomas Lennon and George Oppenheimer. Their material is a procession of action that precludes monotony. Richard Thorpe's direction was pointed to stress excitement and action both in the bruising and romantic chapters of the film. Running time, 90 minutes. "G." Gus McCarthy "Bulldog Drummond in Africa" {Paramount) Hollywood, July 31. — Paramount continues its "Bulldog Drummond" series with "Bulldog Drummond in Africa," but harks back to the era of motion pictures characterized by unvarnished melodrama replete with old style plot mechanics of a leering villain who behind his beard plots dire things such as cutting up the hero with a buzz saw, or tossing him to be ground up by huge mill stones. Only this time the villain, J. Carrol Naish — and really with a beard, is about to throw H. B. Warner to a hungry lion when John Howard, playing "Bulldog Drummond," crashes into his stronghold and in the fight which ensues turns the tables and throws Naish to the hungry lion. Howard, the perennial "Drummond," is supported in addition to Naish and Warner, by Heather Angel, Reginald Denny, E. E. Clive, Anthony Quinn, Michael Brooke, Matthew Boulton and Neil Fitzgerald. The screenplay of Garnett Weston is based on the novel "Challenge" by H. C. (Sapper) McNeile, and the direction is by Louis King. Edward T. Lowe was associate producer. Naish, international spy, kidnaps Warner, who plays the role of "Col. Neilson," of Scotland Yard, and takes him to his African hideout to force him to divulge defense secrets of England. Drummond, with his fiancee, Miss Angel ; Denny and "Clive follow in a plane. The quartet effect the rescue and Naish, in the climactic fight with Howard, is tossed to his pet lion. Running time, 60 minutes. "G." Vance King 4 Short Subjects "Silver Millions" (Paramount) The Alaskan salmon run and methods of canning are capably and interestingly revealed in this short. It shows spawning, how the fish are caught, cleaning, cooking and packing from sea to can. Worth while. Running time, 10 mins. "G." "Love and Curses" ( Vitaphone) The villain-hero-heroine triangle in a color cartoon is offered here with many humorous touches in the Leon Schlesinger stylethat by now should be in demand. Humorous cliches are cleverly worked out and the animation is given imaginative turns. Running time, 7 mins. "G." "Ancient Cities of Southern France" (P. P. Devlin) One of the uncommonly good "Screen Traveler" series, which Andre de LaVarre appears to have endowed with excellent camera work and careful selection. There is much of real beauty in this subject, whose title tells its own story. It is amazing to the uninitiated to discover so many of the works of the ancient Romans in the France of today. Running time, 11 mins. "G." "Friendly Neighbors" (Columbia) Technicolor scenes of the province of Ontario, Canada. Toronto with its fair and the home of the Dionnes have good coverage. The narrative is old stuff, but adequately serves its purpose in an undistinguished way. Average travel material. Running time, 9s/2 mins. "G." "Swing Cat's Jamboree" ( Vitaphone) Louis Prima supplies the music, a collection of lively youngsters, the modern dancing and the exhibitor gets something to put across with the swing music fans. Should have playing time wherever the younger set responds to the pastime. Running time, 8 mins. "G." "Community Sing No. 9-2" (Columbia) Mexican and Spanish numbers are the feature of this issue. They are well-liked and oft-heard songs. Running time, 9 mins. "G." ' Porky' s Spring Planting' ( Vitaphone) Lively animation that hits highly humorous moments as Farmer Porky has difficulties with his chickens. Finally he compromises and agrees to plant a special patch for them. Very good. Running time, 7 mins. "G." "Makassar" (P. P. Devlin) The camera faithfully and in interesting fashion records the life and livelihoods of this important trading port of Celebes, one of the larger of the Dutch East Indies islands. Likewise of interest and value are the accompanying descriptions injecting much that is historically appropriate and with a maximum of interest. One of the "Screen Traveler" group. Running time, 11 mins. "G." "Venice" (P. P. Devlin) The amazing city of Venice, where the only vehicles are boats, where marble castles abound on the water's edge, where innumerable small bridges form the cross-walks, and where beautiful cathedrals are numerous, forms the subject matter of this able and interesting number of the "Screen Traveler" series produced by Andre de LaVarre. Running time, 11 mins. "Toradja Land" (Vitaphone) This E. M. Newman "Colortour Adventure" shows the natives, peculiarities, dances and other interesting facts about Celebes, Borneo, Dyak tribesmen and the race mentioned in the title. The color seems to have suffered from the effects of tropical heat. Fair. Running time, 10 mins. "G." Monday, August I, 1 933 j Short Subjects "Rio de Janeiro" (P. P. Devlin) Something of the beauty of setting on the edge of the ocean, among towering hills, of Rio de Janeiro, capita of Brazil, is caught in this "Screer Traveler" number, produced by Andre de LaVarre, in the competent and interesting fashion which has corn^tc be expected of his travel surJ^ b/s; The scenic attraction of the city, anc the mode of living which characterize; it are ably pictured. Running time 11 mins. "G." "Cinderella Meets a Fella" ( Vitaphone) Leon Schlesinger delivers another one of those screwball and at the same time hilarious versions of a popular classic here. The liberties taken with the Grimm tale are amazing but the comedy concocted thereby is the sort of thing that makes Academy winners. Running time, 7 mins. "G." "Paramount Pictorial P7-12" (Paramount) Wheat farming on a large scale, the geysers and bubbling springs of Yellowstone Park filmed in color and the experiences of a dog on the London waterfront are covered satisfactorily and entertainingly. Running time, 10 mins. "G." "Have You Got Any Castles?" ( Vitaphone) Here is another cleverly handled color cartoon that burlesques a radio character, takes liberties with classical literature and, most important, gives entertainment to the last frame. It is done in the usual Leon Schlesinger "Merrie Melody" fashion. Running time, 7 mins. "G." "Thrilling Moments" (Columbia) Dog racing, turf scenes, speedboating, bobsledding and a number of other sports whose chief attribute is speed are presented here in their exciting aspects. It holds interest. Running time, 9y2 mins. "G." "Porky and Daffy" (Vitaphone) This latest in the adventures of Porky details his activities as manager of a prize fighting duck that is as wacky as the animators' imagination can make him. A match is arranged. The fight goes on and the audience is treated to a few minutes of whirlwind action, liberally strewn with gags and slapdash comedy. It will perk up any program. Running time, 7 mins. "G." "Screen Snapshots 17-10" (Columbia) There are over 40 screen personalities in this film. That is enough to satisfy the average fan. It is the usual round of Hollywood events topped off with a party at a night spot attended by still more players. Good. Running time, 10 mins. "G."