Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1938)

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14 MOTION PICTURE DAILY Tuesday, October II, 1938 Hollywood Preview "Five of a Kind" (20th Century-Fox) Hollywood, Oct. 10. — There can't be much doubt about how many people want to see what the Dionne quintuplets are like, now that they're four years old, and "Five of a Kind" shows a great deal of the five of a kind, singing, playing the piano, opening gifts, pretending to broadcast over an international hookup and, in short, being themselves. That is what "Five of a Kind" is for and that is quite manifestly the way to sell it. Principally concerned in the picture, otherwise, are Jean Hersholt in his approximation of Dr. Dafoe, Slim Summerville as the small town constable, John Qualen as the babies' father, Claire Trevor as a girl reporter who turns broadcaster and Cesar Romero as her competitor on the air and companion in the final clinch. The romantic side of the thing is formal. The original screenplay by Lou Breslow and John Patrick would be an incredible story if anything fictional could seem as incredible as the Dionnes. It sends the rival broadcasters to Canada, sets them against each other in catch-as-catch-can competition, brings them back to New York, where they finally get together in behalf of a project to bring the quintuplets to that city for a charity appearance in behalf of a worthy orphanage. They're not allowed to come, so television brings them on in time to save the box-office proceeds for charity. Herbert I. Leeds' direction maintains headway by the simple, wise expedient of stopping the story dead still every now and then to give the screen over to the quintuplets. It runs along smoothly in between these stretches and contains a number of very funny bits. Running time, 82 minutes. "G." Roscoe Williams New York Preview "The Lady Vanishes" (G. B.) Alfred Hitchcock has contributed much of his directorial cleverness to this English film version of "The Wheel Spins," novel of international intrigue by Ethel Lina White, and the result is suspense-laden entertainment. However, on occasion it veers so sharply in the comedy direction that an audience may think itself watching a travesty on a spy drama. The cast is not too well known among American audiences, but Dame May Whitty certainly is, and perhaps Margaret Lockwood. Paul Lukas is familiar. A newcomer, Michael Redgrave, is capable and personable in the masculine lead. The screenplay by Sidney Gilliatt and Frank Launder contrives to capture the maximum of suspense effect, as a train speeding across Europe toward England carries a trainful of excitement and near murder and a clever handful of laughs. The dialogue very often sparkles, and, amazingly enough, some of the lines carry so closely to the current situation relative to England's Cabinet and its recent decisions that they are sure to draw spontaneous audience reaction. Naughton Wayne and Basil Radford, as a pair of Englishmen more interested in getting to England in time for the big cricket match than anything else, are especially amusing. The exhibitor need not hesitate to sell the film to his audiences on the basis of good, fast moving entertainment, with production values on the plus side and a series of chuckles along the way. Running time, 91 minutes. "G." Charles S. Aaronson What Key City Critics Say ♦ . . Following are excerpts from the reviezvs of current pictures from the critics of leading key city papers. "Boys Town" Los Angeles Examiner — Will do more for humanity than 100 reform speeches. . . . Everyone should see "Boys Town." Los Angeles Times — So inspirational . . . that it practically defies criticism. ... It will enjoy an exceptional audience. Los Angeles Herald-Express — Splendid. . . . One of the most touching productions seen in many a moon. A "must see." Hollywood Citizen — Solid drama in a class of its own. "Room Service" Chicago Tribune — Laughter aplenty for the audience. . . . Excellent supporting cast. Los Angeles Examiner — Sure-fire for laughs. ... A definite RKO success. Hollywood Citizen News — Elicited many laughs. "King of Alcatraz" Hollywood Citizen News — A tidy little bundle of entertainment. . . . Packs a punch. "Carefree" Philadelphia Public Ledger — We were enormously entertained. Philadelphia Inquirer — The screen's most popular dancing partners romp with their usual zest through "Carefree." Philadelphia Record — Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers together again . . . enough to recommend the film. Philadelphia Daily News — A major event on any screen. Los Angeles Daily News — An occasion for rejoicing. . . . Many happy moments in the film. Los Angeles Evening News — Moves fast. ... Is recommended. Los Angeles Evening Herald — For sheer entertainment . . . the answer is box-office anyway you look at it. Los Angeles Examiner — A sure cure for the blues . . . proof that movies are your best entertainment. "// / Were King" Los Angeles Examiner — One of the best adventure stories that has been released by any studio in a long time. Warner Men Transferred Wilmington, Oct. 10. — A. J. Vanni, Warner Theatres zone manager has shifted several managers. Arthur Cohn, manager of the Queen, has been transferred to the Roosevelt, Philadelphia. He is succeeded by Richard V. Kirsh, former manager of the Palace, Philadelphia. C Leonard Howard, assistant at the Queen, has been appointed assistant at the new Warner which will open in December. Lewis S. Black, manager of the Aldine, has been appointed manager of the Warner. Universal Signs Sullivan Hollywood, Oct. 10. — Wallace Sullivan has been signed by Universal to write an original, untitled story. Will Remodel Aldine Pittsburgh, Oct. 10. — The Harris Amusement Co. will spend more than $100,000 remodeling the old Aldine, which has been taken on a long term lease. It will be renamed the Senator and is to open about the middle of November. Dollison Opening House Omaha, Oct. 10. — Lester Dollison former Texas independent circuit operator, will open the 350-seat Nebraska here shortly. He remodeled M. Sigal's Time Theatre, dark for over a year. Rosener Takes Theatre San Francisco, Oct. 10. — Herbert Rosener, operator of the Clay, showing foreign films exclusively, has taken over the Larkin here as additional outlet for foreign pictures. Mr. Rosener also operates theatres in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Portland and Seattle. Tony Ryan to Universal Albany, Oct. 10. — Tony Ryan, former Monogram manager here, is now selling for Universal, succeeding Irving Mendelson, who has gone to New York. Variety Club Kansas City Kansas City, Oct. 10. — Earl Jamesson again heads the annual Variety Club-Film Row charity ball, which will be held Nov. 25 at Pla-Mor. Cochairmen of the general committee in charge are Finton Jones and Norris B. Cresswell. Other committees and personp. * are: Entertainment, Harry ]L Clure, Stanley Chambers, George Baker, Senn Lawler and Bernard Joffee; program, Jones, Baker, Cresswell; ticket sale team captains (each captain has 10 members of Variety on the team), George Harttmann, T. R. Thompson, Robert F. Withers, Sam Abend, Arthur Cole, Douglas Desch, E. C Rhoden, Fred Bredehoft, Frank Hensler, C. E. Gregory; reservations, Frank Hensler; publicity, Senn Lawler, W. P. Bennfield, W. B. Formby, Landon Laird and Lowell Lawrance. More than 75 attended the annual golf tournament at Old Mission. Leon Abraham won first prize with a low net of 74. Detroit Detroit, Oct. 10. — The local Variety Club lunch today heard Professor Robert W. Keko, director of the Institute of Public and Social Administration of the University of Michigan. The luncheon was deisgnated as Monogram Day, in honor of the visit here from New York of George W. Weeks, general sales manager, and the attendance of local Monogram executives. Mayor Richard W. Reading was present as a special guest. Columbus Columbus, Oct. 10. — There was a big turnout of members in honor of John Hardgrove, assistant manager of Loew's, who was one of the prize winners in Paramount's national exploitation contest. Regular Sunday evening dinners are now being served at the clubrooms. Sparks House Ready Soon Jacksonville, Oct. 10. — The Matanzas Theatre at St. Augustine, newest outlet in the E. J. Sparks chain, will be completed and ready for opening about Thanksgiving Day, Guy A. Kenimer, district manager, says. The theatre, Spanish in design and decoration in keeping with the St. Augustine reclamation program, is being constructed at a cost of about $120,000. It will seat about 1,250. Poster Firm May Build Cincinnati, Oct. 10. — Plans are being considered by the Theatre Poster Supply Co. for the erection of a threestory building adjacent to the present quarters on Central Parkway, according to William Bien, president. The building also would house Trailer-Made Service, recently organized bv Bien and Ralph Kinsler, local Grand National manager. Barrymore Replaced Hollywood, Oct. 10. — Because of Lionel Barrymore's slow recovery from an illness his role in Dickens' "Christmas Carol" will be taken by Reginald Owen at M-G-M.