Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1940)

10 Motion Picture Daily Wednesday, January 3, 1940 Critics 9 Quotes . . . "GONE WITH THE WIND" A sincere effort has been made to translate faithfully Margaret Mitchell's comprehensive word picture of the passing of the old South. The screen adaptation is exceptional and noteworthy entertainment, but it lacks the full power of the novel to impress beholders with the significance of the tragic collapse of the social order {Cincinnati Enquirer). In its length alone, "Gone With the Wind" is the most imposing spectacle ever to reach the screen. It is magnificent, too, in its superb color, in its scrupulous details, in its scope, in its technical virtuosity, in its sheer extravagance. As to Margaret Mitchell's story, I don't know if that has been told so well. . . . The film is dominated by Vivien Leigh {Cincinnati Time-Star) . The audience filed out, the richer by an experience unique in the annals of the motion picture. Never before had they seen a film of such dimensions. . . . Almost fanatically faithful to Margaret Mitchell's novel insofar as story is concerned. . . . Visually it is a treat. . . . One carries away from the picture a rich store of unforgettable images {Cincinnati Post). "THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME" The Laughton study is one of his more striking portraits. ... It is so striking that it will probably leave its mark on a whole filmgoing generation simply by frightening them half, or even two-thirds to death {Boston Evening Transcript). A gruesome horror film. . . . Charles Laughton ... a makeup which probably will go down in the annals as the most horrendous of all times. . . . Produced with a lavish hand {Boston Traveler). Charles Laughton's is a horrific, and at times moving representation, but by no means the perfect achievement which was the late Lon Chaney's {Chicago Tribune.) The horror-shocker of them all is "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." . . . Charles Laughton is frightening and grotesque. . . . Has been given an incredibly spectacular mounting {Boston Post). Here's a bang-up piece of movie entertainment. ... Its romantic scenes have umph and its horror scenes have wow. . . . Carried away by the excitement and suspense {Kansas City Star). "GULLIVER'S TRAVELS" A thoroughly pleasing show is "Gulliver's Travels." . . . Max and Dave Fleischer have produced a picture with many novel twists. . . . Entertaining for adults as well as children {Kansas City Journal). A fairy tale come to life and it's a lot of fun. ... A bangup color production. . . . Some of the artistic compositions are startling and delightful {Kansas City Star). The Fleischer production stands on its own footage as a diverting enough film for adults and a top-flight-of-fancy for youngsters (Newszveek) . It was a noble effort, but in craftmanship, color, delicacy of treatment and invention, "Gulliver's Travels" falls considerably short of "Snow White," although reminiscent of it {Time). A full-length cartoon for which the younger patrons ought to be properly grateful. . . . An hour and a half of bright colors, broad humor and tuneful music {Boston Evening Transcript) . An admirable color feature length cartoon. . . . An excellent piece of work and extremely funny at its best. . . . Children will enjoy it whole heartedly, and adults will enjoy themselves also (Boston Herald). A Christmas present for the younger generation, but it will also prove a delight to fond aunts, uncles and grandfathers. . . . Ingenious, tuneful and full of fun. ... 75 minutes of delightful whimsy (Boston Daily Globe). Should be much more entertaining to children than the Disney classic, which primarily was for adults. . . . Great ingenuity is displayed (Boston Traveler) . A grand Christmas present for the children, a picture book come to life. . . . Plenty of chuckles for the grownups (Boston Post). Jonathan Swift's 200-year-old classic, "Gulliver's Travels," given a shot in the arm by the ingenious Max Fleischer, will pop out your eyes and warm your heart. You'll dote on this fairy tale in color which combines fantasy and satire in such infectious blend (Boston Evening American) . "THE EARL OF CHICAGO" Montgomery has plunged into the very depths of character melodrama . . . his portrait as the Earl of Chicago emerges as something that will cling in your mind long after his drawing-room roles have been forgotten. . . . Too many distracting points of incidental interest (Hollywood Citizen-News) . Montgomery's interest in psychological studies led him slightly astray . . . the motive of the screen version is frequently obscured. . . . The character as a whole (Montgomery's) never seems genuine (Los Angeles Daily Nezvs). Montgomery's is a swell job . . . Direction is good, but uneven. . . .An unexpected treat. It should interest the average fan as well as the esthete (L. A. Times) . Personnel, Theatre Notes Shift Carolina Managers Raleigh, N. C, Jan. 2.— W. G. Enloe, city manager for North Carolina Theatres, Inc., has changed managers at three local houses. C. B. Rosson, manager of the State, has been transferred to the Carolina at Asheboro; N. H. Hicks, Capitol, succeeds Rosson at the State; to fill Hicks' place, G. H. Sturm is being shifted from the Palace to the Capitol, which leaves a vacancy yet to be filled at the Palace. Georgia House Opens Marietta, Ga., Jan. 2. — The Cobb, Marietta's newest house, seating 500, has opened. It was erected by Manning & Wink, operators of the Strand, the city's other theatre. Build Arkansas House Plippin, Ark., Jan. 2. — This town's first film theatre is being erected here by W. N. Christian. The structure, located across from the Courthouse, will be of native stone and stucco. Manages Pittsburgh Rex Pittsburgh, Jan. 2. — John J. Howley has been appointed manager of the Rex, formerly the Strand. He was with the Harris Amusement Co. Finish Little Rock House Little Rock, Ark., Jan. 2. — Construction work on the new Rex has been completed. The structure was designed by C. C. Mundo, manager of the theatre. Manager in Milwaukee Milwaukee, Jan. 2. — Francis Miller has been named house manager at the Riverside here, succeeding Charles Clark. Miller has been chief of service for the past several years. Wuerz Palace Manager Milwaukee, Jan. 2. — Charles Wuerz is the new manager at Fox's Palace, succeeding Jack Richards. Reverts to Second Runs Pittsburgh, Jan. 2. — The Harris Fami-ly theatre in the East End neighborhood,' has reverted to second run double features, after a brief trial period as a newsreel house. Chicago Telenews Opens Chicago, Jan. 2.— The Telenews, Chicago's first strictly newsreel theatre, has opened. The new house which seats 600, has a main floor seating capacity of 400 and a balcony seating of 200. Open in Marshall, N. C. Marshall, N. C, Jan. 2— The new State has been opened here. It is owned and operated by Cherokee Amusements, Inc., of Erwin, Tenn. W. H. Parrott is president and Earle Hendren, secretary-treasurer. Loew-Poli Staff Changes New Haven, Jan. 2. — Harry F. Shaw, Loew-Poli division manager, has made the following theatre staff promotions: William Scanlon, assistant at the Loew-Poli here, named assistant at the Palace, Meriden ; Sidney Klepper, formerly at Meriden, now assistant at the Palace, Hartford, succeeding John Feshler, resigned ; Charles Guadino, assistant at the College here, new assistant at the Poli, New Haven ; Harold Alpert, chief of I service at the College, now assistant. Reopen House in Iowa Audubon, la., Jan. 2. — Floyd Thompson, who recently closed the Broadway for remodeling, has reopened it as the Rose. The seating capacity has been increased to 400. ' Gulliver' Is Denver Lead With $12,500 Denver, Jan. 2. — "Gulliver's Travels" at the Denham ran up a powerful $12,500. "Judge Hardy and Son" and "Mexican Spitfire" at the Orpheum took $12,000. a ^ Estimated takings for the week t\ J ing Dec. 27: "Housekeeper's Daughter" (U. A.) ALADDIN— (1,400) (25c-40c) 7 days. 2nd week. Gross: $2,500. (Average, $3,500) "Another Thin Man" (M-G-M) "Secret of Dr. Kildare" (M-G-M) BROADWAY— (1,040) (25c-35c-40c) 7 days, 3rd week. Gross: $2,000. (Average, $2,500) "Gulliver's Travels" (Para.) DENHAM— (1,750) (25c-35c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $12,500. (Average, $6,500) "Everything Happens at Night" (20th-Fox) DENVER— (2,525) (25c-35c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $7,000. (Average, $9,000) "Judge Hardy and Son" (M-G-M) "Mexican Spitfire" (RKO) ORPHEUM— (2,600) (25c-35c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $12,000. (Average, $9,000). "Mutiny in the Big House" (Mono.) "Blondie Brings Up Baby" (Col.) PARAMOUNT— (2,200) (25c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $2,500. (Average, $3,500) "Private Lives of Elisabeth and Essex" (U.A.) "Smashing the Money Ring" (F. N.) RIALTO — (878) (25c-40c) 7 days. "Elizabeth and Essex", 3rd week. Gross: $1,400. (Average, $1,750) 'That's Right' Pulls $25,000, Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Jan. 2. — Kay Kyser pulled $25,000 at the Stanley with "That's Right, You're Wrong." Estimated takings for the week ending Dec. 28 : "Shipyard Sally" (20thFox) "Too Busy to Work" (20th-Fox) ALVIN — (1,900) (25c-35c-50c). 3 days. Gross: $2,500. (Average, 7 days, $7,500) "Daytime Wife" (20th-Fox) FULTON — (1,700) (25c-40c), 7 days. Gross: $6,500. (Average, $5,000) "Gulliver's Travels" (Para.) LOEWS PENN— (3,600) (25c-35c-50c), 7 days. Gross: $15,000. (Average, $13,000) "Destry Rides Again" (Univ.) SENATOR— (1,800) (25c-35c-50c) 11 days, 2nd week. Gross: $4,400. (Average, 7 days, $3,800) "That's Right, You're Wrong" (RKO) STANLEY — (3,600) (25c-40c-60c). On stage: Martha Raye, Wences, Jack Williams, the Lazanders, the Gracellas. Gross: $25,000. (Average, $17,000) "Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President" (M-G-M) "The Return of Dr. X" (W.B.) WARNER — (2,000) (25c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $5,500. (Average, $5,000) Ask Libel Suit Dismissal Application to dismiss the $500,000 libel suit of Donald Besdine against the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., Bamberger Broadcasting Service, Inc., Edwin C. Hill, Leroy A. Lincoln and Wodaam Corp. was filed in the N. Y. Supreme Court yesterday. Dismissal of the suit, which also claims conspiracy to force the plaintiff out of business, is requested for failure to state a cause of action. Montague to Testify Boston, Jan. 2. — Abe Montague, general sales manager for Columbia, will testify tomorrow morning in the Morse & Rothenberg anti-trust action against the major companies. Moe Streimer, United Artists New York branch manager, completed his testimony today and was followed by Seymour Schussel, New York salesman for Columbia.