Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1941)

4 Motion Picture Daily Monday, July 14, 194 Feature Reviews "Tom, Dick and Harry" (RKO) INGER ROGERS as a comedienne adds another feather to an already well-bedecked bonnet in "Tom, Dick and Harry," and the picture, under the amazingly clever hand of Garson Kanin, its director, emerges as a delightful bit of warm weather good humor for any screen and any audience. It is in essence a little item of unreality, based on the sound and perennially common premise of a girl trying to make up her mind from among three suitors, but so frothily concocted as to relegate all serious views to the far background, and bring to the fore such stuff as dreams are made of. It is cleverly concocted, which says much for the keenly appreciative direction of Kanin, for in less capable hands the idea might have fallen with a dull thud. Briefly, Miss Rogers, small town telephone operator, accepts the proposal of go-getting salesman George Murphy, who is Tom. He offers security — minus romance. Accidentally she comes upon Burgess Meredith, as Harry, who offers no security, but considerable romance and when they kiss, bells ring in the air. Then there is Alan Marshall, or Dick, wealthy, whose calls she handles, with whom she flies to Chicago, and who also offers to marry her. As she meets each one and returns home, her pillow lapses into a dream setting, and most cleverly are caricatured the lives she might lead with each one. Throughout, Miss Rogers offers a sparkling performance with just the right touch imparted to the role, while her three suitors are most capable foils. Phil Silvers as an ice cream pedler, deserves mention for an excellent comedy bit. Eventually she chooses Harry, because the bells ring when they kiss. The film is light, laugh-provoking and delightfully entertaining, which is enough to ask of any film, designed for that purpose. Robert Sisk was the producer. Running time, 86 minutes. "G."* Charles S. Aaronson "Gangs of Sonora" (Republic) ANGS of Sonora," a Three Mesquiteers Western, follows the basic style of previous film adventures with the trio, describing their courageous exploits for the betterment of a frontier town, which in this case is Sonora City. Robert Livingston, Bob Steele and Rufe Davis are the daring three. Other players are June Johnson, Ward McTaggart, Helen Mackellar and Robert Frazier. The film is mostly all Livingston, Steele and Davis, as it should be, and each does well by his role. The cumulative result is a satisfactory Western for action fans. Photography is very good. The yarn has Livingston and Co. coming to the aid of a newspaper publisher conducting a crusade against the crooked commissioner of the Wyoming Territory. The publisher shortly after dies of lead poisoning and the boys and Miss Mackellar, known as the rugged "Kansas Kate," take over. The latter's son, McTaggart, is involved with the politician, but subsequently he sees the light. John English directed. Running time, 56 minutes. "G."* Eugene Arneel Industry Alert For Screenings Starting Today (Continued from page 1) the start of the 1941-'42 selling season. All exhibitors and circuit buyers and bookers in the exchange centers and subsidiary cities where screenings will be held have been invited to attend. M-G-M has scheduled showings in 65 cities, the largest number of any company so far. Those of other companies announced to date are largely confined to exchange centers. Home office distribution executives and the field sales forces will be watching closely the exhibitors' response to the invitations to attend the showings. Some officials are apprehensive that the turnout may not come up to expectations. On the attendance today may hinge the decision whether the showings will be continued in theatres or be confined to screening rooms at exchanges or elsewhere for a limited number of interested prospects. 'Webster' Title Changed Hollywood, July 13. — RKO has announced change in title of "The Devil and Daniel Webster" to "Here Is a Man." The picture was announced for trade showing this week under the former title. Para. Partners* Meet Will Discuss Buying (Continued from page 1) theatre partners are expected to attend. These include John Balaban, Carl Bamford, Tracy Barham, E. C. Beatty, A. H. Blank, Myron Blank, G. Ralph Branton, J. H. Cooper, Harry David, J. J. Fitzgibbons, John J. Friedl, Nathan Goldstein, Julius M. Gordon, E. J. Hudson, Karl Hoblitzelle, William K. Jenkins, H. F. Kincey, M. A. Lightman, M. S. McCord, Vincent McFaul, Frank Miller, M. J. Mullin, Harry Nace, A. N. Notopoulos, R. J. ODonnell, Perry Hunter, Samuel Pinanski, Gaston Dureau, H. B. Robb, E. H. Rowley, J. J. Rubens, Col. Frank Rogers, J. J. O'Leary, Harry Royster, R. B. Wilby and George Zeppos. This is one of a series of such meetings held from time to time by the Paramount theatre associates. A leading figure behind these meetings is Hoblitzelle. Product 'Refused,' Crescent Testimony (Continued from page 1) manager in Atlanta, called on him and said to him, "Well, you wrote the Department of Justice, didn't you?" Roth testified that he had communicated with the Department. Later, Roth said, the companies offered to sell him product on split deals, but he rejected both offers. No M-G-M product was shown at the Crescent house, the Roxy, during 1939-'40, Roth further testified, but he was unable to obtain spot bookings on a number of features and shorts when he wrote Loew's in June, 1940. The Crescent house resumed playing M-G-M pictures early this year, he said. * "G" denotes general classification. Box -Office Decline Halted, Says Golden (Continued from page 1) cline in attendance during the Springmonths, Golden found that increased industrial activity requiring the services of many persons on night shifts was an important contributing factor. A large potential field of patronage can be cultivated through the schools and new Army camps, he found during his trips. Furnishing schools with selected entertainment films having educational value at a nominal service • price for exhibition during classroom periods would do much to cultivate a taste for motion pictures among the younger generation, he said. 62nd Outlet in S. A. Net The 62nd station in the revised CBS Latin American network has been signed with the addition of HJDT, Medelin, Colombia, Edmund A. Chester, CBS short wave di1 rector, disclosed. 'Bombay' $14,600 In Cleveland Lull Cleveland, July 13. — -"They Met in Bombay" gave Loew's State one of the best recent weeks, earning $14,600. Business continued dull elsewhere and 90-in-the-shade heat hung on. Estimated receipts for the week ending July 3-4 : "In, the Navy" (Univ.) ALLEN— (3,000) (33c-39c-47c) 7 days, 4th week. Gross: $3,100. (Average. $4,000) "Out of the Fog" (W. B.) WARNERS' HIPPODROME — (3,800) (33c-39c-47c) 7 days. Gross: $5,400. (Average, $11,000) "Man-Hunt" (ZOth-Fox) RKO' PALACE— (3,100) (33c-39c-47c) 7 days. Gross: $6,900. (Average, $8,500) "They Met in Bombay" (M-G-M) LOEW'S STATE— (3,500) (33c-39c-47e) 7 days. Gross: $14,600. (Average, $11,000) "That Uncertain Feeling" (U. A.) LOEW'S STILLM AN— (1,900) (33c -39c47c) 7 days. Gross: $3,100. (Average, $4,000') Republic Closes Saturday Republic over the weekend began a new policy of closing on Saturdays during the Summer. 20th-Fox Sets 50 Features In New Season (Continued from page 1) "Weekend in Havana," Alice Fay> Carmen Miranda, John Payne, Caesa Romero ; in Technicolor. "Remember the Day," Cl^ltf;j Colbert, John Payne. "Sun Valley Serenade," SonjJ Henie, John Payne, Glenn Miller Band. "Law and Order, Inc.," produce! by Robert T. Kane, starring Pj! O'Brien. "Wild Geese Calling," by Stewaif Edward White, with Henry FondJoan Bennet, Warren Williams, On Munson. "Confirm or Deny," directed bijj Fritz Lang. "Swamp Water," Walter Hustor Dana Andrews, Anne Baxter, Waltf Brennan. "Benjamin Blake," Zanuck produi tion, starring Tyrone Power and Id; Lupino. "Black Swan," by Rafael Sabatin; "Coney Island," by J. Hiatt Dowi ing. "Moon Ride," starring Jean Gabii "White Collar Girl," "Hello, Frisa Hello," "Shores of Tripoli," "Siou' City," "Ten Gentlemen from We: Point," "Right to the Heart," "Son: of the Island," "Chicago Sal." Boston's Heat Wilts Gross at All House Boston, July 13. — The heat n; mained for a second week, keepin all grosses below average. "Out of tfj Fog" and "West Point Widow" at thl Metropolitan drew $12,600. "In tl Navy" coupled with "A Very Youri Lady" in its third week at the Keit!: Memorial grossed $11,800. Estimated receipts for the weej ending July 2-4 : "In the Navy" (Univ.) "A Very Young Lady" (Univ.) KEITH MEMORIAL— (2,907) (28c-33c-44| 55c) 7 days, 3rd week. Gross: $11,80' (Average, $16,000) "Out of the Fog" (W. B.) "West Point Widow" (Para.) METROPOLITAN— (4,367) (28c-39c-44 f 55c) 7 days. Gross: $12,600. (Averag $15,500) "Million Dollar Baby" (W. B.) "The Round Up" (Para.) PARAMOUNT— (1,797) (28c-39c-44c-55 7 days, 2nd run. Gross: $7,400. (Averag • $7,500) "Million Dollar Baby" (W. B.) "The Round Up" (Para.) FENWAY — (1,320) (28c -39c -44c -55c) days, 2nd run. Gross: $4,100. (Averag" $4,500) "Caught in the Draft" (Para.) SCO LLAY— (2,500) (28c-39c-44c-55c) days, 3rd run. Gross: $3,900. (Averag $4,000) "The Big Store" (M-G-M) "They Dare Not Love" (M-G-M) LOEW'S STATE— (3,000) (28c-33c-44 55c) 7 days. Gross: $9,500. (Averag $12,0000 "The Big Store" (M-G-M) "They Dare Not Love" (M-G-M) LOEWS ORPHEUM — (2,900) (28C-331 44c-55c) 7 days. Gross: $13,400. (Averag $17,500) Wine Cellar Premiere United Artists plans a premiere f "New Wine" in an ancient wine cc lar in the Padre Vineyard, Cue monga, Calif., late this month, tl company announced.