Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1940)

Motion Picture Daily Critics 9 Quotes . . . "JUDGE HARDY AND SON" (M-G-M) Latest in the deservedly popular Hardy Family series, "Judge Hardy and Son," has the same humorous and down-to-earth appeal as its predecessors. — Rose Pelswick, N. Y., Journal and American. The Hardy pictures continue to be the best of the series films. This is not the best of the Hardy pictures. . . . The Hardys draw heavily on the improbable. . . . They are still nice people to meet again. — Eileen Creelman, N. Y. Sun. "Judge Hardy and Son" is produced with the same qualities, good taste, homey humor and naturalness that have prevailed in this series. — Wanda Hale, N. Y. Daily News. It's a touching family occasion. . . . Everybody, of course, gives a beautiful performance. — N. Y. Times. Although this is not the best of the Hardy series, Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone and the Hardy formula, which is strictly adhered to, all add up to make it a good picture. — Lee Mortimer, N. Y. Mirror. The Hardys turn serious in "Judge Hardy and Son," and tragedy almost cracks down on the happy family. ... A little more humor would have helped, but essentially it has the forthright, homey quality that the average film fan has come to delight in. — Robert W. Dana, N. Y. Herald Tribune. "REMEMBER THE NIGHT" (Paramount) Slick performances by Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray and a script that's written and directed with genuine humor and warmth, make this an immensely likeable piece. — Rose Pelswick, N. Y. Journal and American. "Remember the Night" is fresh, is brightened with good lines and situations and the performances stand up to the script. — Archer Winston, N. Y. Post. With as unlikely a story as you could ask, "Remember the Night" turns out to be the pleasantest surprise offered for quite a while. . . . A light comedy that gradually develops into believable and moving drama. — Eileen Creelman, N. Y. Sun. It is sticky, syrupy, sentimental stuff, but it is played and directed with such charm that it becomes glowing and heart-warming instead of sickening entertainment. — William Boehnel, N. Y. World-Telegram. "Remember the Night" is the real curtain-raiser of 1940. It is a memorable film, in title and in quality, blessed with an honest script, good direction and sound performances. — Frank Nugent, N. Y. Times. "Remember the Night" is the surprise package of the new film year. . . . Something out of the ordinary run of films. Neither Barbara Stanwyck nor Fred MacMurray has ever given a better performance.— Kate Cameron, N. Y. Daily News. A sure-fire hit. . . . Barbara Stanwyck at her magnificent best. . . . The action is consistently fast. — Lee Mortimer, N. Y. Mirror. Familiar material has received a fresh and beguiling outline in "Remember the Night." . . . An entertaining compromise between realism and nonsense. — Howard Barnes, N. Y. Herald-Tribune. An excellent cast and Mitchell Leisen's direction make this a moving and quietly humorous drama. — Newsweek. 2 News Notes From Studios on Coast Hollywood, Jan. 21. — Gov. Culbert L. Olson of California has accepted an invitation to attend the dinner being given Jan. 24 by members of the Rainbow Division at the Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles, when Warners' "The Fighting 69th" will be screened. . . . Dale Van Every, who produced "Dr. Cyclops," eerie color picture for Paramount, is working on "The Purple Cloud," for" early production. It is a story, written by English novelist M. T. Shiel about 1900, of a civilization underground. Patric Knowles has been given a term contract at RKO. . . . Complete cast of RKO's "Curtain Call" has been set as Barbara Read, Helen Vinson, John Archer, Alan Mowbray, Donald MacBride, Frank Faylen, Tommy Kelly, Ann Shoemaker, Ralph Forbes, Dick Hogan and Norman Mayes. The picture marks the production debut of Howard Benedict. Frank Woodruff makes his bow as a film director on the film. . . . Jane Clayton, one of the hits of the current Theatre Alliance show "Meet the People" in Hollywood, has been given a term contract by Warners. Philly Musicians To Get Strike Aid Philadelphia, Jan. 21. — Strong financial support will be contributed by the American Federation of Musicians to the local Musicians union, Local 77, in its strike against Warner Bros, houses. Word to this effect was received here yesterday from Miami, where Anthony Tomei, Frank Liuzzi and A. Rex Riccardi, past president, president and secretary, of the local, respectively, flew last week to confer with Joseph Weber, national president. Publicists Expect Pact During Week Hollywood, Jan. 21. — Committees of the Screen Publicists Guild and producers met over the weekend to study further clauses of the bargaining contract which in some phases has been rejected by leaders of the publicity men. Producers' attorneys had drafted a pact, but William Edward, president of the Screen Writers Guild, said certain clauses did not conform with expectations. An agreement over the final form is considered likely this week. Elite of Washington To 'Lincoln' Tonight (Continued from page 1) tive, and S. Barret McCormick, advertising and publicity director, will represent the company. Trade paper representatives and newspaper critics will attend. A special broadcast over the N.B.C. Blue network will be staged from the lobby of the theatre. SCRATCHES On Film Can Be Removed Only by AMERICAN RECONO. INC. 245 W. 55th St.. New York. N. Y. Negative — Positive — Color Film Rejuvenated 'Balalaika* Scores $6,600 Omaha Lead Omaha, Jan. 21. — "Balalaika" pulled $6,600 at the Omaha with general theatre business slow. Estimated takings for the week ending Jan. 17-18 : "Flying Deuces" (RKO) "Meet Dr. Christian" (RKO) BRANDEIS— (1,200) (25c-35c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $3,100. (Average, $4,000) "Balalaika" (M-G-M) "Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President" (M-G-M) OMAHA— (2,200) (25c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $6,600. (Average, $6,000) "Charlie McCarthy, Detective" (Univ.) "Cisco Kid and the Lady" (20th-Fox) ORPHEUM— (3,000) (25c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $7,100. (Average, $7,600) Lubitsch, Dieterle Confer With Mayor Ernst Lubitsch and William Dieterle conferred with Mayor LaGuardia at City Hall on Friday. The Mayor described the visit as "merely social," but the film men said there had been an exchange of views on Eastern production. Both declined to elaborate on the statement. Favors Lotteries Operated by State Albany, Jan. 21. — Assemblyman Aaron Goldstein, who introduced the Bingo bill in the N. Y. state legislature, today proposed an amendment to the State Constitution to permit state operation of lotteries for a long range health program. Senator Thomas Desmond today introduced a new bill for the regulation of outdoor advertising, and Senator Perry of New York offered a measure intended to stop the unlicensed recordings of artists from radio broadcasts, made without their knowledge. The bill passed the Senate last year, but was killed in the Assembly. Give Boston Testimony Boston, Jan. 21. — Thomas Donaldson of the Metro Division in Connecticut and formerly with the Boston group, John Dervin of United Artists in Boston, and Richard Dobbyn of the Maine and New Hampshires Theatres testified Friday in a short session of the master's hearing of the Morse & Rothenberg anti-trust suit against the film companies. Monday, January 22, 1940 Vallee Will Learn Art of Producing ' Rudy Vallee, who recently joined I Republic as associate producer, will spend three months at the studio becoming familiar with production before getting his first assignment, according to the home office. Vallee tentatively is scheduled to I produce "Hit Parade" with Frances Langford, starting April 15, and he j may appear in the film as well, k I, j The studio has decided on Seton as the name of its new western star, and a cowboy actor to assume the name is being sought. The Bob Seton series will include six pictures. \ Three series of westerns of eight films each have already been announced for the current season. Work on "Dark Command," big budget film, is scheduled for resumption Feb. 1, by which time it is expected Claire Trevor, who has the lead with John Wayne, will have recovered from her illness. "Lady From New Orleans" is set to go in work early in March. Leads are being sought for "The Oomph Girl and the Cowboy." 9 39 Admission Tax Yield Exceeds '38 (Continued from page 1) cember, 1938, but nevertheless were the second highest for any month in the year, and brought the 1939 total to $19,876,312 as compared with $19,661,337 for 1938. There was a wide range in monthto-month receipts, the April total of $1,384,722 being the highest for any month after January, 1938, while the November total was the highest for any month after December, 1937. Figures of collections for 1939, by months, as compared with 1938, are shown in the following table: 1939 193* January $1,564,134 $1,353,415 February 1,503,127 1,659,640 March 1,606,996 1,773,075 April 1,384,721 1,541,517 May 1,605,987 1,394,659 Tune 1,491,260 1,624,453 July 1,534,249 1,618,813 August 1,513,468 1,425,062 September 1,852,256 1,668,827 October 1,727,931 1,596,367 November 2,117,644 1,985,127 December 1,974,534 2,020,376 Cameo Fights Censors The Cameo Theatre has obtained an injunction restraining the State Board of Censors from interfering with the showing of the Hungarian film, "Life on the Hortobagy." A hearing is scheduled Friday in Supreme Court. MOTION PICTURE DAILY (Registered U. S. Patent Ottce) Published daily except Sunday and holidays, for January 20, 1940 only, by Quigley Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York City. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, Editorin Chief and Publisher; Colvin Brown, Vice-President and General Manager; Watterson R. Rothacker, Vice-President; Sam Shain, Editor: James A. Cron, Advertising manager; Chicago Bureau, 624 South Michigan Avenue, C. B. O'Neill, manager; Hollywood Bureau, Postal Union Life Building, Boone Mancall, manager, William R. Weaver, Editor; London Bureau, 4, Golden Square, London Wl, Hope Williams, manager, eable address "Quigpubco, London." All contents copyrighted 1940 by Quigley Publishing Company, Inc. Other Quigley publications: Motion Picture Herald, Better Theatres, International Motion Picture Almanac and Fame. Entered as secojid class matter, Sept. 23, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. 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