Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1939)

6 Motion Picture daily Tuesday, September 12, 193! Hollywood Reviews "Blackmail" (M-G-M) Hollywood, Sept. 11. — The elements that .make up M-G-M's action melodrama, "Blackmail" — name value, story power, production merit and acting quality— are showmanship assets upon which exhibitors can build exploitation campaigns. Edward G. Robinson is the star. ^ He makes his role convincing and believable. The same may be said of Gene Lockhart, Guinn Williams, Ruth Hussey, Bobs Watson, John Wray and Arthur Hohl, who are the principal supporting players. In unison, under the able direction of H. C. Potter, their work endows this grim yet heart-warming story of sensationalism in fire-menaced oil fields, with power and punch. Robinson, after years of upright living, during which he has married and has become a great oil well fire-fighter, is double crossed by Lockhart and forced back to the brutality of a prison farm. Despite cruelties inflicted upon him, the knowledge that his wife and child are in need and that his properties are being looted, makes him determined that nothing shall break his spirit. Escaping, he lures Lockhart to the brink of a flaming oil well, there to torture from his enemy a confession that clears his name, restores his fortune and brings happiness again to his family. Among the thrilling highlights of the Endre Bohem and Dorothy Yost story which Dave Hertz and William Ludwig made no attempt to tone down, and which John W. Considine, Jr., gave the benefit of a spectacular production, are the hazards encountered while dynamiting a blazing oil well, the trickery by which the hero is returned to custody, the inhumanity of the prison camp, Robinson's daring escape therefrom and the luring of Lockhart into a trap. They are naturally appealing to those who prefer their entertainment strong and meaty. Contrasting the melodramatic force of these is Robinson's tender regard and solicitude for his wife and son. Running time, 80 minutes. "G."* G. McC. "Calling All Marines" (Republic) Hollywood, Sept. 11. — "Calling All Marines" is not a war picture even though it wages war on most of the formula? of plausible story construction. Sensationalism and bizarre thrill action are stressed, yet one would have to be easily convinced to find much reason for what occurs. The picture has one fight after another; an explosion and fire aboard ship, a forest fire, a nimble chase and an attempted but frustrated plot to steal a valuable military device, with which to regale those who like to have their pictures wildly exciting. Engaged by a spy ring, gangster Donald Barry uses gangster tactics to get into the Marine Corps and continues to be a rough, tough and irreconcilable mug in such ways that all the fine traditions about Marine pride and discipline are made to seem as so much poppycock. However, after the receipt for a beating at the hands of Sergeant Robert Kent, whose life he later saves, and begins to get a dim idea that Kent's sister, Helen Mack, loves him, and learns from comedian Warren Hymer that Uncle Sam is not a bad fellow after all, he turns on his gangster pals and their spy cohorts to prevent the theft of an aerial torpedo. Harrison Carter thought up the original story idea which Earl Fenton developed into the screenplay. John H. Auer directed the Armand Schaefer production. Running time, 65 minutes. "G."* G. McC. 'Golden Boy' Loop Smash With $49,200 Chicago, Sept. 11. — "Golden Boy" scored a knockout in the Loop with $49,200 at the Chicago. John Boles, Zasu Pitts and Red Skelton were on the stage. "The Wizard of Oz" took $17,000 at the United Artists in the second week. "Hell's Kitchen" at the State-Lake drew well with $14,800. The weather was fair most of the week. Estimated takings for the week ending Sept. 7-9 : "The Star Maker" (Para.) APOLLO— (1,400) (25c-55c-75c) 7 days. Gross: $5,600'. (Average, $6,000) "Golden Boy" (Col.) CHICAGO— (4,000) (35c-55c-75c) 7 days. Stage: John Boles, Zasu Pitts, and Red Skelton. Gross: $49,200. (Average, $32,000) "Hotel For Women" (2ftth-Fox) GARRICK— (900) (35c-40c-65c) 7 days. Gross: $4,700. (Average, $5,000) "Second Fiddle" (20th-Fox) ORIENTAL— (3,400) (25c-35c-40c) 7 days. Stage: Vaudeville Revue. Gross: $15,100. (Average, $13,000) "Bachelor Mother" (RKO) PALACE— (2,500) (35c-55c-75c) 7 days, 2nd week. Stage: Vaudeville Revue. Gross: $17,000. (Average, $18,000) "The Under-Pup" (Univ.) ROOSEVELT — (1,300) (35c-55c-75c) 7 days. Gross: $10,300. (Average, $11,000) "Hell's Kitchen" (W. B.) STATE-LAKE — (2,700) (25c-35c-40c) 7 days. Stage: Vaudeville Revue. Gross: $14,800. (Average, $12,000) "The Wizard of Oz" (M-G-M) UNITED ARTISTS— (1,700 J (35c-55c-75c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $17,000. (Average, $14,000) Ascap Music Festival To Chase War Gloom Ascap will foot the bill for New York's Music Festival which will be held Oct. 1 to 6 and will present hundreds of outstanding American musicians. Cost of the week's musical presentations cannot be computed yet, but an Ascap official said yesterday it would probably amount to several hundred thousand dollars. The Festival is intended to meet what civic leaders feel is an urgent need at this time to offset "the gloom of European events" and will be Ascap's gesture, by way of observing its own 25th anniversary. Only American music will be included in the programs, most of which will be staged at Carnegie Hall. No admission charge will be made but tickets will be issued by Ascap in the order in which requests for them are received. Tri-State Owners To Meet Sept 24 Oxford, Miss., Sept. 11. — The TriState Theatre Owners, M.P.T.O.A. affiliate embracing Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee, will hold its convention at the Hotel Gayoso, Memphis, Sept. 24 and 25, according to R. X. Williams, Jr., president. The Tri-State directors will meet Sept. 24 at the hotel immediately prior to the opening of the regular sessions. A golf tournament will be a feature of the entertainment phase of the convention. M. A. Lightman of Memphis, chairman of the board, is in charge of the program. *"G" denotes general classification. Spreckles in NLRB Post at Los Angeles Washington, Sept. 11. — The National Labor Relations Board has appointed Walter P. Spreckels as regional director at Los Angeles, succeeding Dr. Towne J. Nylander. Spreckels, resident of Yonkers, N. Y., has been engaged in industrial relations work in the east for the past 20 years. He was in charge of administrative duties connected with the labor provisions of industry codes during the NRA period, and later handled labor relations for the W.P.A. Wisconsin ITPA Will Meet Sept 27 Milwaukee, Sept. 11.— A variety of problems, including film buying and unhealthy competition from free shows and 16 mm. films, are expected to be aired at a two-day meeting Sept. 27 and 28 here of the I.T.P.A. of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc. Exhibitors in this area have done little film buying with few contracts for new product reported closed. New officers for the ensuing year will also be named at this convention. NBC Adopts Big Schedule Of War News Voiding the haphazard schedule o:| war broadcasts adhered to since tlw outbreak of European hostilities, NBC" yesterday acted to place its webs on ; rigid war news schedule. faf Covering both the Blue ano>-Jler networks the new schedule include; six European pickups each week da?i and five pickups each Sunday, most o.j these over combined networks. Ir addition to these programs direct fron European centers, there will be IS news periods on week days, as reported by AP, UP and INS. There will be 11 similar broadcasts on Sunday. The schedule will be highlighted by a nightly roundup and analysis of developments abroad by John B. Kennedy, NBC special commentator, and by Col. Frederick B. Palmer, U.S.A., retired, who will provide a military interpretation of the various tactical! moves of the warring forces. Ken-j nedy will broadcast Mondays through Fridays, over the Red, and will act as coordinating speaker when European pickups are scheduled as part of his series. On the Red, the European pickups will be made on week days at the following times: 8 A.M., 12 noon, 5:15 P.M., 7:15 P.M., except Saturdays; 7 :30 P.M., Saturdays only, and 12 midnight. Red network European pickups will be made at 8 A.M., 121 noon; 5:15 P.M., 10 P.M. and 12 midnight. On the Blue, week day pickups will be made at 8 A.M., 12 noon; 5:15 P.M.; 10 P.M. and 12 midnight. Blue network Sunday European pickups will be made at 8 A.M., 7:15 P.M., 10 P.M. and 12 midnight. Pommer Fears War Strands Him in U. S. Erich Pommer, who arrived here from London for a brief business visit shortly before the outbreak of war, is beginning to wonder whether he isn't more or less permanently stranded in the U. S. Pommer, a German citizen, is traveling with a German passport. He is uncertain whether the U. S. will permit him to leave the country and, if so, whether England will admit him. Pommer believes it will be several weeks before his status will be clarified. He planned to begin production in England of a new picture starring Charles Laughton late next month. Grainger Returns From 6 -Week Trip J. R. Grainger, Republic president, returned yesterday from a six-week trip around the country. Immediately before returning Grainger closed a deal for 1939-40 product with the Minnesota Amusement Co. (Publix) for 80 houses in Minnesota, North and South Dakota and Wisconsin. John Friedl and John Branton acted for Minnesota. Max Roth, mid-western district sales manager, and Gilbert Nathanson, Minneapolis territory franchise holder, acted with Grainger for Republic.