Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1939)

Thursday, September 14, 1939 Motion Picture Daily 3 Feature Reviews "The Real Glory" {Goldwyn-United Artists) HollywooDj Sept. 13. — Filmed in all the Goldwyn thoroughness, "The Real Glory" is a thrilling and manifestly authentic account of what went on in the Philippines in 1906 when the U. S. Army turned over to the Native Constabulary the job of policing the country and defending their new independence from the marauding Morros. The story, by Jo Swerling and Robert R. Presnell from Charles L. Clifford's novel, is told in terms of the half-dozen officers left in charge of one island community. It is a story of treachery, heroism, discipline, risk, disaster, disease, war and, just slightly, of love, an impressively veracious and extremely stirring item of entertainment. Gary Cooper, David Niven, Reginald Owen and Broderick Crawford are excellent as the American officers, Vladimir Sokoloff and Tetsu Komai turning in strong performances as the villainous Morro leaders. Andrea Leeds and Kay Johnson play the two feminine roles, both slight, effectively. Henry Hathaway's direction is of superior variety, giving tremendous realism to incidents of unfamiliar cut which culminate in a spectacularly melodramatic climax. Robert Riskin is down as associate producer. The picture is brimful of exploitation possibilities. For the premiere, for instance, a company of soldiers from a nearby fort was marched to the theatre, the reason being duly recorded. What with war in the headlines and on the radio, and this a war picture in the complete sense of the term, "The Real Glory" looks like a natural for turn-away business. Running time, 95 minutes. "G."* Roscoe Williams "The End of a Day" {Juno Films') In this, one of the better imports from France, the dreams, unfulfilled hopes and ambitions of aged actors are given shadow substance and intertwined to make a sort of "Grand Hotel" story. The setting is a home of retired actors, and the plot development deals with their reactions as they are thrown together by circumstances in a polyglot assortment. There are bits of plots, priceless characterizations and caricatures of persons who are typical. Entertaining throughout, the picture is sentimental, lusty and salty, and the dialogue racy. It is adult entertainment, most suitable for art cinemas. The cast is perfect. Fine characterizations are given by Michel Simon as the constant imp, whose heart is broken because no one appreciates his talents ; Louis Jouvet as the broken down ham who suffers delusions of being a Don Juan, and Victor Francen, the embittered and frustrated artist. There are exaggerations and oversentimentality in the screenplay by Julien Duvivier and Charles Spaak, but on the whole it is a work of art. And despite its deficiencies, the production carries the flavor that only Gallic understanding could give it. Julien Duvivier directed for Regina Film. Running time, 94 minutes. "A."* Alfred Finestone 'Beau Geste' Los Angeles' Best, $23,500 Los Angeles, Sept. 13.— "Beau Geste" drew a strong $23,500 at the Paramount to lead here, although irauness generally was hurt when unAC^Bonably warm weather over the weekend sent many thousands to beaches and other resorts. _ "Four Feathers" continued strong, with $4,700 in the fourth week at the 4 Star. Estimated takings for the week ending Sept. 13 : "Lady cf the Tropics" (M-G-M) "6,0£0 Enemies" (M-G-M) CHINESE— (2,500) (30c-$LOO) 7 days. Gross: $9,300. (Average, $12,500) "Four Feathers" (U. A.) 4 STAR— (900) (40c-50c) 7 days, 4th week. Gross: $4,700. (Average, $3,250) "Goiden Boy" (Col.) "Five Little Peppers and How They Grew" (Col.) HILLSTREET— (2,700) (30c-65c) 7 days. Gross: $7,000. (Average, $6,500) "Lady of the Tropics" (M-G-M) "6,C00 Enemies" (M-G-M) LOEWS STATE— (2,500) (30c-$1.00) 7 davs. Gross: $10,900. (Average, $14,000) "Golden Boy" (Col.) "Five Little Peppers and How They Grew" (Col.) PANTAGES— (3,000) (30c-65c) 7 days. Gross: $7,000. (Average, $7,000) "Beau Geste" (Para.) "Hero for a Day" (Univ.) PARAMOUNT— (3,595) (30c-65c) 7 days. Gross: $23,500. (Average. $18,000) "The Old Maid" (W. B.) WARNER BROS. (Hollywood)— (3.000) (30c -65c) 7 days. Gross: $13,100. (Average, $14,000) "The Old Maid" (W. B.) WARNER BROS. (Downtown)— (3.400) (30c-65c) 7 davs. Gross: $12,800. (Average. $12,000) Wood Named Schine Trust Suit Counsel Frederick Wood of the Cravath, de Gersdorff, Swaine & Wood law firm, has been retained by the Schine Circuit as special attorney in its defense of the Government anti-trust suit pending against the circuit and major distributors in Federal court at Buffalo. Wood will be assisted by Willard S. McKay, counsel for the Schine Circuit for many years, who was formerly counsel for Uuniversal. Wood has had many years experience in antitrust cases and corporation law. He was one of the principal attorneys in the famous Schechter poultry case which brought about the demise of N. R. A. Wood and the Cravath firm have been prominent in the film industry in past years, having been counsel for Paramount for many years, and served as counsel for Warners in the St. Louis anti-trust suit of three years ago. 'Tropics9 at $9,800 Leads Indianapolis Indianapolis, Sept. 13. — "Lady of the Tropics" was out in front in a profitable week for all first runs, giving Loew's $9,800. "Three Glamour Girls" was dualed with it. Estimated takings for the week ending Sept. 8: "Our Leading Citizen" (Para.) "Hell's Kitchen" (W. B.) APOLLO— (1,100) (25c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $4,000. (Average, $2,500) "The Star Maker" (Para.) "This Man Is News" (Para.) CIRCLE— (2,800) (25c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $8,700. (Average, $6,000) "Lady of the Tropics" (M-G-M) "These Glamour Girls" (M-G-M) LOEW'S— (2,800) (25c-40c) 7 davs. Gross: <9.800. (Average, $7,000) *"G" denotes general classification. *"A" denotes adult classification. Roosevelt Resigns Studio Survey Job Hollywood, Sept. 13. — Pleading preoccupation with affairs of Samuel Goldwyn Co. which he serves as vicepresident, James Roosevelt has dispatched a letter to Joseph M. Schenck, M.P.P.A. president, notifying him of his withdrawal from the task of surveying studio problems which he undertook Aug. 24. Paul Sullivan Returning Paul Sullivan, the CBS announcer and commentator, who arrived in London the day war was declared, is returning by ship to New York, to broadcast eye-witness accounts of what he saw. However, CBS has no information concerning the vessel on which he sailed, or the date of its arrival in this country. Democratic Dinner Delayed to Sept. 25 Hollywood, Sept. 13. — Another postponement of the Motion Picture Democratic committee's banquet, scheduled Sept. 18, was announced today. Due to a pressure of duties at Washington, U. S. Attorney General Frank Murhpy will not be able to attend until Sept. 25. At that time he will present a scroll at the dinner to the producer whose picture has been adjudged the most valuable contribution to the "ideals of democracy." Netco Circuit Reopens Park The Park, Newburgh, N. Y., has been reopened by Netco circuit and the Juliet, Arlington, N. Y., will reopen next week. Both houses were closed for the Summer season. British Film Laws Forcing War Revision (Continued from page 1) trade's contention generally would be that suspension of the Quota Act or drastic amendment would interfere with the production of propaganda films, already favored by the Ministry of Information, as was indicated by Hoare's statement to the House of Commons today. A minor aggravation of the film trade's situation arose today in the rationing of gasoline. The move has compelled revision of the transportation machinery on release prints. Plan Propaganda Films London, Sept. 13. — Sir Samuel Hoare today told the House of Commons that the Government is giving close attention to the use of British studios for the purpose of producing propaganda films, and steps already have been taken to safeguard the position of the studios. The Home Office decision regarding the general reopening of theatres throughout the country is expected to be announced before the end of the week. No statement was issued today, following conversations yesterday between representatives of the distributing and exhibition branches of the industry, and Home Office officials. Paris Theatres Reopening Paris, Sept. 13. — Film houses in Paris are expected to be permitted to reopen shortly in the early evening, it was indicated following conferences of the Information Commissioner with the police and military government of the city. A certain number of houses are expected to remain open until 10 P. M. beginning tomorrow. Later other theatres will be authorized to open as safety measures are completed. Vaudeville to Start In Brandt's Circuit Four-week vaudeville circuit in Brandt neighborhood houses gets under way Friday when stage showswill be resumed at the Flatbush, Brooklyn. Sammy Kaye's band will top the show at the Flatbush and will move to the Audubon, Bronx, the following week. Jimmy Dorsey's band will open at the Windsor, Bronx, Sept. 21, and move to the Carlton, Jamaica, Sept. 28. Other headliners signed by the Brandt circuit include the Andrews Sisters, Cass Daley, Milt Britton, and Larry Clinton's and Cab Calloway's bands. Lagnas Names Segal George Lagnas, president of Standard Pictures Distributing Corp., has appointed Harry G. Segal of Boston as general sales manager. Lagnas made the appointment before leaving for the Coast. Warner Bookings Jump An increase of 27 per cent in feature bookings for August is reported by Warners on the basis of early tabulations of the recently completed bookers' drive.