Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1940)

10 Motion Picture Daily Saturday, January 20, 1940 London Reviews "The Proud Valley" (Associated British) London, Jan. 5 (By Mail). — Though its material has a familiar ring — and will recall for many "The Citadel" and "The Stars Look Down" — this dramatic and emotional story of Welsh coal mining has many qualities lacked by its more eminent predecessors. A story of a pit which was closed because of a disaster and which is opened again only by the resoluteness and determination of its miners may lack invention. It does not lack conviction. Here, with Negro Paul Robeson as its central character, a pitman who gives his life to blast his pals to freedom, it has the ring of real life, with comedy and tragedy, the pride of the Welsh and their music and idealism. There is a pit disaster, too, which is not only exact in detail but compelling in its dramatic force. Feminine appeal is strong, for the film does not gloss over the tragic role of the miner's wife and mother, or ignore the bitter pangs of unem ployment and the struggle of families to live. There is music, too, with Robeson's magnificent voice unifying the choral passages, romance, realism and above all, intense human sympathy. The characters are natural. Robeson is of course the stellar name, but the part played by Edward Chapman as the singing miner who befriends him, and by a newcomer, Rachel Thomas, as the latter's wife, add to the personal appeal. Production values are high. Running time, 77 minutes. "A."* Aubrey Flanagan *"A" denotes adult classification. "Spy for a Day" ( Two Cities — Paramount ) London, Jan. 5 (By Mail). — Though Yorkshire droll Duggie Wakefield has played in films before, essaying a brief Hollywood episode, this, produced and directed by Mario Zampi, producer of "French Without Tears," is the first serious effort to make him a film star. It proves a by no means unsuccessful adventure, for properly handled, Wakefield, whose face alone is the essence of fun, proves to be a natural with a droll sense of pantomime, and a sympathetic character as well. Audiences will take to him warmheartedly. The comedy is a World War extravaganza about a country lad mistaken by enemy soldiery for a German spy, and then threatened with a firing squad by his own military. The fun revolves mainly around these misunderstandings and is often very amusing. At times the narrative wanders astray and might still be improved with a sharp pair of scissors, but Wakefield's encounters with a German military council, his romantic reminiscing with the German set to shoot him, and his inability to remember the name of a critical town, will raise laughs here. Though certain studio passages smack of the studio the film's production values are satisfactory and the cast — few of them known outside England — up to their tasks. Running time, 71 minutes. "G."* Aubrey Flanagan 'Herbert' Hits Good $9,000, Denver Lead Denver, Jan. 19. — "The Great Victor Herbert" ran nearly 50 per cent above average at the Denham, and is being held for an extra four days at least. The snowstorm Friday hurt grosses, but as during the week before it helped to keep folks in town over the weekend. Estimated takings for the week ending Jan. 17: "Four Wives" (W. B.) ALADDIN— (1,400) (25c-40c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $3,500. (Average, $3,500) "Hunchback of Notre Dame" (RKO) BROADWAY— (1,040) (25c-35c-40c)) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $2,500. (Average, $2,500) "The Great Victor Herbert" (Para.) DENHAM— (1,750) (25c-35c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $9,000. (Average, $6,500) "Destry Rides Again" (Univ.)) DENVER— (2,525) (25c-35c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $11,500. (Average, $9,000) "Balalaika" (M-G-M) "Reno" (RKO) ORPHEUM— (2,600) (25c-35c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $10,000. (Average, $9,000) "A Child Is Born" (W. B.) "On Your Toes" (W. B.) PARAMOUNT— (2,200) (25c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $5,000. (Average, $3,500) "Swanee River" (20th-Fox) "Man They Could Not Hang" (Col.) RIALTO— (878) (25c-40c) 7 days, "Swanee River" 3rd week. Gross: $2,000. (Average, $1,750) Launch Newsreel Featuring Illinois Champaign, 111., Jan. 19. — The Illinois News, a newsreel which will film subjects in Illinois exclusively, is expected to release its initial issue about March 1. The reel will be offered to Illinois exhibitors, it is planned, once a week thereafter. Preview showings of the reel have been held at the Telenews, Chicago, and the Rialto here simultaneously. An introduction and four subjects comprised the contents. Gordon Kamerer, former druggist here, is producer and editor. Orlando Lippert is handling the photography, and Burton Holmes Films, Inc., Chicago, the laboratory work. 'That's Right' Hits $14,000 in Detroit Detroit, Jan. 19. — "That's Right, You're Wrong" and "Allegheny Uprising" brought $14,000 to the Fox. Estimated takings for the week ending Jan. 1 1 : "Swanee River" (20th-Fox) "Scandal Sheet" (Univ.) ADAMS — (1,700) (15c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $5,000. (Average, $5,000) "Remember" (M-G-M) "The Roaring Twenties" (W. B.) FISHER— (2,700) (15c-55c) 7 days. Gross: $6,000. (Average, $7,000) "That's Right, You're Wrong" (RKO) "Allegheny Uprising" (RKO) FOX— (5,000) (20c-55c) 7 days. Gross: $14,000. (Average, $12,000) "Eternally Yours" (U. A.) "Nick Carter, Master Detective" (M-G-M) MICHIGAN— (4.000) (15c-65c) 7 days. Gross: $12,000. (Average. $12,000) "Geronimo" (Para.) "All Women Have Secrets" (Para.) PALMS— (3,000) (ISc-SOc) 7 days. Gross: $7,000. (Average, $7,000) "Balalaika" (M-G-M) "Call on the President" (M-G-M) UNITED ARTISTS— (2.000) (15c-40c) 7 da vs. Gross: $10,000. (Average. $10,000) *"G" denotes general classification. Club in Columbus Installs Officers CoLUMBusi O., Jan. 19. — C. Harry Schreiber, RKO city manager, has been installed as chief barker of the local Variety Club. Others were : Virgil Jackson and Lou Holleb, first and second chief barkers, respectively ; P. J. Wood, property master, and Jacob Luft, dough guy. The crew consists of Max Stearn, William S. Cunningham, Don Burrows, George Anagnost and M. J. Cullin, in addition to William C. Pullin, retiring chief barker, Jackson, Holleb, Wood and Luft. Judge Arthur Day of the Ohio Supreme Court was toastmaster at the installation dinner and Gov. John W. Bricker, Mayor Floyd Green and former Mayor Myron B. Gessaman were guests of honor. Mayor Green and Don Powers, secretary to Gov. Bricker, were made members. Illinois Women Law Does Not Hit Radio Springfield, 111., Jan. 19. — The Attorney General of Illinois today ruled that women employees of radio stations do not come within the scope of the state women's eight-hour law. The law, enacted in 1937, prohibits women in certain businesses from working more than eight hours during any one day nor more than 48 hours in any one week. In holding the act does not apply to radio stations, the Attorney General said the average radio station cannot be said to be a "place of amusement" within the meaning of the act, nor can it be classed as "telegraph or telephone establishment" even though it might occasionally be used as substitute for them. The opinion stated that whatever entertainment or amusement radio stations furnish is incidental to its business purposes, Philadelphia Gives $18,000 To 'Balalaika' Philadelphia, Jan. 19. — "Balalaika" drew $18,000 at the Fox, despite strong competition .from the weather and "Ice Follies of 1940.'Y |\ Estimated takings for the week en** ing Jan. 12: "Raffles" (U. A.) ALDINE— (1,700) (32c -42c -57c -68c) 5 days, 3rd week. Gross: $7,100. (Average, $8,000) "Judge Hardy and Son" (M-G-M) ARCADIA— (600) (32c-42c-57c) 3rd run. Gross: $3,400. (Average, $2,600) "Four Wives" (W. B.) BOYD— (2,400) (32c-42c-57c-68c) 5 days. Gross: $11,700. (Average, $13,000) "Destry Rides Again" (Univ.) EARLE— (32c-42c-57c-68c). Gross: $9,100. (Average, $14,000) "Balalaika" (M-G-M) FOX— (3,000) (32c-42c-57c-68c). Gross: $18,000. (Average, $13,000) "Four Wives" (W. B.) KARLTON— (1.000) (32c-42c-57c-68c) 2nd run. Gross: $5,900. (Average, $3,000) "Swanee River" (20th-Fox) KEITH'S— (2,200) (32c-42c-57c-68c) 2nd run. Gross: $4,600. (Average, $3,500) "Hunchback of Notre Dame" (RKO) STANLEY— (3,700) (32c-42c-57c-68c) 2nd week. Gross: $9,800. (Average, $14,000) "A Child Is Born" (W. B.) STANTON— (1,700) (32c 42c 57c 68c) Gross: $6,900. (Average, $4,500) Stage Show, 'Lawyer' Milwaukee Leaders Milwaukee, Jan. 19. — A blizzard followed by sub-zero weather hurt grosses with "Main Street Lawyer" on the screen and "A Night at the Moulin Rouge" on the stage connecting for $15,400 at the Riverside, the only house to exceed average. Estimated takings for the week ending Jan. 18 : "The Amazing Mr. Williams" (Col.) "Blondie Brings Up Baby" (Col.) PALACE— (2,400) (25c-35c-50c) 7 days. Gross: $3,500. (Average, $4,000) "Main Street Lawyer" (Rep.) RIVERSIDE— (2,700) (30c-40c-55c) 7 days. Stage: "A Night at the Moulin Rouge." Gross: $15,400. (Average, $6,500) "Balalaika" (M-G-M) "Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President" (M-G-M) "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (RKO) STRAND— (1,400) (25c-35c-50c) 5-2 days, split week. Gross: $1,100. (Average, $1,500) "A ChUd Is Born" (W. B.) "Invisible Stripes" (W. B.) WARNER— (2,400) (25c-35c-50c) 7 days. Gross: $4,500. (Average. $4,500) "Swanee River" (ZOth-Fox) "The Honeymoon Is Over" (zttth-Fox) WISCONSIN— (3,200) (25c-35c-50c) 7 days. Gross: $4,400. (Average, $5,500) Alliance Closes Deal Budd Rogers, vice-president and general manager of Alliance Films Corp.. has closed a franchise deal with H. J. Peskay of the Majestic Distributing Corp. for the release of 12 Alliance features and a number of shorts in the California territory. 'Susan and God' Stars Joan Crawford and Fredric March will be co-starred in M-G-M's adaptation of the Broadway stage play, "Susan and God." Hunt Stromberg will produce and George Cukor direct. Retitle French Film French Cinema Center, Inc., will release the French film, "Jardin de Murcie," in the United States under the title, "Heritage."