Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1940)

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10 Motion Picture Daily Tuesday, March 5, 1940 Short Subject Reviews "Home Movies" (M-G-M) Robert Benchley can make even a projection room preview audience howl and he demonstrated his ability in no uncertain terms in "Home Movies." Benchley, in his usual manner, speaks learnedly of the technique of photography and then proceeds to demonstrate his own inexpertness. He exhibits a comical selection of shots to a bored audience of guests. One of his best. Running time, 9 mins. "Night Descends on Treasure Island" (FitzPatrick-M-G-M) A "Traveltalk" showing the San Francisco World's Fair after dark. The color photography of night scenes is impressive but is devoted only to a series of fountains and buildings. Highlight of the reel is a series of shots showing the art masterpieces exhibited at the Fair. These shots are almost perfect reproductions and the commentator explains the significance of each. A view of the colored searchlights against the sky ends the reel. Running time, 9 mins. "Puss Gets the Boot" (Ising-M-G-M) Here is a lively color cartoon which should draw chuckles from any audience. A cat plays with a mouse until the mouse becomes desperate. However, the cat is threatened with eviction if he continues to break dishes around the house, and the mouse seizes the opportunity to avenge himself on his tormentor. Very clever animation. Running time, 8 mins. "What's Your I. Q.?" (M-G-M) Pete Smith takes advantage of the high interest in quiz shows over the radio to test the film audience's knowledge. The questions are tough ones with four answers submitted. The audience keeps score itself if it picks the right answer. Mostly, the questions involve little known facts about familiar institutions and objects. Lots of fun. Running time, 8 mins. Hollywood Review "Strange Cargo" "Stuffie" (M-G-M) Pete Smith describes a dog's life from a "dogs-eye" viewpoint. Little Stuffie, a mongrel, is jealous of a huge St. Bernard. The latter wins the affections of Stuffie's mistress when Stuffie gets lost. However, they patch up their differences and, finally, the St. Bernard is killed in a fire after rescuing Stuffie. It is an interesting novelty and should appeal to doglovers. Running time, 11 mins. "Northward Ho!" (M-G-M) The monumental task of producing a feature length motion picture film is shown in this "Miniature." The problems of constructing an entire village (M-G-M) Hollywood, March 4. — Combining a strange assortment of human and spiritual values, "Strange Cargo" is a production about which much probably will be said and written. Its theme is similar to that of "The Passing of the Third Floor Back" and the film shows the influence of a mysterious stranger on the regeneration and the return to religion of a group of hardened convicts from a French prison colony and upon a tarnished woman. Joan Crawford as the only woman in the cast and Clark Gable as an almost incorrigible thief are the stars of the drama which is based on the book, "Not Too Narrow, Not Too Deep," by Richard Sale. The supporting players are also worthy of marquee consideration — Ian Hunter, Peter Lorre, Paul Lukas, Albert Dekker, J. Edward Bromberg, Eduardo Ciannelli, John Arledge, Frederic Worlock, Bernard Nedell and Victor Varconi. The screenplay by Lawrence Hazard and the direction by Frank Borzage play up the supernaturalness and the occult. The story in brief has Gable escaping from the colony to see Miss Crawford, a dance hall girl. Just as his escape is about to be discovered, when the convicts are counted, a mysterious stranger in convict garb appears and takes his place in line. The girl turns Gable in to the gendarmes, but she is given 12 hours to leave the island. Dekker, bullying leader of a small group of convicts, hatches an escape plot, taking along the stranger, played by Ian Hunter, but leaving behind Gable, who has forced himself into the scheme. Gable escapes later, and a trek through dangerous jungle and water to a hidden boat follows. They sail in the boat and several die, each being pacified spiritually by the stranger. After a journey made horrible by lack of water, they reach the mainland. The girl agrees to sacrifice herself to a police spy, whom she despises, so that Gable may escape, but he, after a series of blasphemous adventures including the attempted murder of the stranger, becomes regenerated, and returns to the island to serve his sentence. The stranger disappears as strangely as he came. Joseph L. Mankiewicz was the producer. Running time, 113 minutes. "A."* . Vance King 1 ips on Exploitation 'A" denotes adult classification. for an outdoor location are described, with M-G-M's "Northwest Passage" as the case in point. It is a supertrailer for exhibitors who have booked "Northwest Passage," but stands in its own right as an interesting film for those who like to see how films are made. Running time, 9 mins. "Finland Speaks" (Ho jf berg Productions) In the nature of a travel subject, this pictures Finland as a scenically beautiful country, describes its industrial development, building advancement and agriculture. Only at the end are scenes supposedly picturing the bombing of its cities by the Russians, and a plea for world support in the country's fight to maintain its independence. Running time, 10 mins. 'Shop' Pulls $7,500, Sets Pace in Omaha Omaha, March 4. — "Shop Around the Corner" had the town's best merchandise this week, getting $7,500 at the Omaha. Sonja Henie's ice revue provided competition. Estimated takings for the week ending Feb. 28-29 : "Swiss Family Robinson" (RKO) "Lone Wolf Strikes" (Col.) BRANDEIS— (1,200) (25c-35c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $4,800. (Average, $4,000) "Shcp Around the Corner" (M-G-M) "Bis; Guy" (Univ.) OMAHA — (2,200) (25c-40e) 7 days. Gross: $7,500. (Average, $6,000) "Jamaica Inn" (Para.) "Dress Parade" (W.B.) ORPHEUM — (3,000) (35c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $6,500. (Average, $7,600) 'Wind' Holds Detroit Lead with $59,500 Detroit, March 4. — "Gone With the Wind'' in its fifth week grossed $32,000 at the United Artists and $27,500 at the Wilson. The Fox drew $17,000 with "Little Old New York" and "The Lone Wolf Strikes." Estimated takings for the week ending Feb. 29 : "The Big Guy" (Univ.) "Five Little Peppers at Home" (Col.) ADAMS — (1,600) (15c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $4,000. (Average, $5,000) "Gulliver's Travels" (Para.) "That's Right You're Wrong" (RKO) FISHER — (2,700) (15c-55c) 7 days. Gross: $6,000. (Average, $7,000) "Little Old New York" (20th-Fox) "The Lone Wolf Strikes" (Col.) FOX— (5,000) (20c-55c) 7 days. Gross: $17,000. (Average: $15,000) "Brother Rat and a Baby" (W. B.) "Sidewalks of London" (Para.) MICHIGAN— (4,000) (15c-65c) 7 days. Gross: $10,000. (Average, $12,1100) "Of Mice and Men" (U. A.) "Slightly Honorable" (U. A.) PALMS — (2,000) (15c-50c) 7 days. Gross: $6X00'. (Average, $7,000) "Gone With the Wind" (M-G-M) UNITED ARTISTS— (2,000) (75c-$U0-$1.50) 7 days, 5th week. Gross: $32,000. "Gone With the Wind" (M-G-M) WILSON— (1,912) (75c-$1.10-$1.50) 7 days, 5th week. Gross: $27,500. Rites for Mrs. Kerman Funeral services were held on Sunday for Mrs. Yetta Kerman, 70, wife of Dave Kerman, pioneer exhibitor now interested in the People's Cinema, Brooklyn. Burial was at the Mount Judah Cemetery, Long Island. A son, Moe Kerman, head of Times Pictures, is among the survivors. Recording by Patrons Used in Providence Providence, March 4. — A portable recording outfit for making phonograph records was used by George French at the RKO Albee to spread word of the current feature, "Of ML ^ and Men," and coming attraction*./ Patrons, after seeing the show, are asked to record their opinion of the film, and then, whether they know what pictures are coming to the Albee. If they don't, they are told about them. Then the discs are given to the patrons to take home, the idea being that they will play them for friends and thus ballyhoo the Albee's future shows. The outfit was supplied to the theatre in a tieup with Zenith radios. Child Color Contest Used on "Swiss Family" Manager Charles Ulrich of the RKO Keith, White Plains, N. Y., tied in with local schools for a coloring contest on "Swiss Family Robinson." Five hundred youngsters competed for three cash prizes, with contest blanks distributed through school officials. Music Group at Studio For Para.'s 'Interlochen' Paramount has invited delegates to the biennial convention and festival of the Music Educators National Conference to the studio April 4 in the interests of the film, "Interlochen." The delegates will see a demonstration of music recording on a sound stage, with Allan Jones and Susanna Foster of the cast featured. Cartoon Exhibit Is Continued Indefinitely The display of the making of animated cartoons at the Museum of Science and Industry in Rockefeller Center, has been continued indefinitely. Tied in with the run of "Pinocchio," Disney-RKO feature at the Center, the exhibit has attracted considerable attention. Reduced Child Prices For 'Lincoln' in St. Louis St. Louis, March 4. — In connection with the showing of "Abe Lincoln in Illinois" at the Fox, arrangements have been made for reduced prices for school children who attend the show in groups. Children under 12 will be admitted at all times for 10 cents; those over 12 will pay 15 cents until 6 P. M. ; after 6 P. M. they will pay 25 cents. The deal was concluded with the Board of Education and various private and parochial schools, and last Friday, nearly 3,000 school children attended the matinee. Medical Groups Are Invited to 'Ehrlich' Pittsburgh, March 4. — Private screenings of "The Magic Bullet" are being held for various medical, social and civic clubs, as a buildup for the picture's booking at Loew's Penn. Brief talks by theatre men after the previews, and a city-wide mailing to the groups' memberships at the organizations' expense, is part of the campaign.