The Exhibitor (1957)

May 15, 1957 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR WARNERS Bright Leaf Estimate: Names will help reissue. Cast: Gary Cooper, Lauren Bacall, Patricia Neal, Jack Carson, Donald Crisp, Gladys George, Elizabeth Patterson, Jeff Corey, Taylor Holmes, Thurston Hall, Jimmy Griffith, Marietta Canty, William Walker. Produced by Henry Blanke; directed by Michael Curtiz. X-Ray: When first reviewed in The Servisection of June, 1950, it was said of this reissue: “This adult drama is a bit lengthy but it should pack enough in¬ terest and has sufficient name draw to make its impression, with the appeal probably slackening as it moves down the line. The direction and production are of high standard with Cooper, Bacall, and Carson turning in good performances. Word-of-mouth should prove a factor. This is based on a novel by Foster FitzSimons. This bears a Legion of Decency ‘B’ rating.” Tip On Bidding: Reissue rates. Ad Lines: “Blazing-Hot Excitement”; “All That He Owned He Had To Fight For — Except A Woman’s Lips”; “There’s Romance In Tobacco — And Money, Greed, And Hate.” Jim Thorpe— All American Biographical Drama 107m. Estimate: Names should land reissue in the better money. Cast: Burt Lancaster, Charles Bick¬ ford, Steve Cochran, Phyllis Thaxter, Dick Wesson, Jack Big Head, Suni Warcloud, A1 Mejia, Hubie Kerns, Nestor Paiva, Jimmy Moss. Produced by Everett Free¬ man; directed by Michael Curtiz. X-Ray: When first reviewed in The Servisection of June, 1951, it was said of this reissue: “There is an interesting story to be found in this biographical drama, one that makes for absorbing and at times exciting screen fare. The whole show is well played and well directed, and produced so that the utmost in talent is set forth. Sports enthusiasts should especially love it. For the femmes, there is a touching love story, and there seems to be something for everyone in the audi¬ ence. Lancaster does a fine job in the title role, and the name of Jim Thorpe should still mean something boxofficewise. The screen play is by Douglas Mor¬ row and Everett Freeman, and the screen story is by Morrow and Vincent X. Flaherty, based on the biography by Russell Birdwell, in collaboration with Thorpe.” Tip On Bidding: Reissue rates. Ad Lines: “A Great American Athlete — His Life And His Story”; “The Story Of An All American For All America To Cheer”; “Glorifying Everyone’s Hero — One Woman’s Idol.” Strangers On A Train MELODioj^ Estimate: Reissue of top flight Hitch¬ cock meller. Cast: Farley Granger, Ruth Roman, Robert Walker, Leo G. Carroll, Patricia Hitchcock, Laura Elliot, Marion Lome, Jonathan Hale, Howard St. John. Pro¬ duced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock. X-Ray: When first reviewed in The Servisection of June, 1951, it was said of this reissue: “A good cast and an inter¬ esting ssript have been molded into a thrilling, engrossing melodrama by the directing genius of Alfred Hitchcock. Building suspense from the very outset, this works up to an emotional pitch. The highlights of the film are the performance of Robert Walker and the wild merrygo-round battle. With a cast that has plenty of pull, this should do okay at the boxoffice. This bears a Legion of Decency ‘B’ rating. The screen play is by Ray¬ mond Chandler and Czenzi Ormonde.” Tip On Bidding: Reissue rates. Ad Lines: “It’s Off The Beaten Track!”; “It Starts With The Shriek Of A Train Whistle — And Ends With Shrieking Ex¬ citement!”; “Alfred Hitchcock’s Thrillerchiller Will Leave You Limp With Ex¬ citement.” The West Point Story Musical Comedy Drama 107m. Estimate: Reissue should prove pleas¬ ing entertainment. Cast: James Cagney, Virginia Mayo, Doris Day, Gordon MacRae, Gene Nelson, Alan Hale, Jr., Roland Winters, Raymond Roe, Wilton Graff, Jerome Cowan, Frank Ferguson. Produced by Louis F. Edelman; directed by Roy Del Ruth. X-Ray: When first reviewed in The Servisection of November, 1950, it was said of this reissue: “This has name values, pleasing times, a gay spirit, and the West Point atmosphere to help at the boxoffice. It possesses a suitable mixture of songs, comedy, and military back¬ ground, plus the Cagney personality, singing and dancing, some of which is a trifle forced but adding to the general entertainment. The title should be an asset as well. The screen play is by John Monks, Jr., Charles Hoffman, and Irving Wallace, based on a story by the latter.” Tip On Bidding: Reissue rates. Ad Lines: “A Song-Spangled, Colors Flying Salute To Uncle Sam’s Own Cadets”; “It Puts A Big Hip-Hip -Hooray In Your Heart”; “A Musical Extrava¬ ganza Brought Back For You To Enjoy Once Again.” Biographical The Winning Team Drama 98m. Estimate: Name values should help re¬ issue of baseball show. Cast: Doris Day, Ronald Reagan, Frank Love joy, Eve Miller, James Millican, Rusty Tamblyn, Gordon Jones, Hugh Sanders, Frank Ferguson, Walter Bald¬ win, Dorothy Adams; and big league players Bob Lemon, Jerry Priddy, Pea¬ nuts Lowrey, George Metkovich, Irving Noren, Hank Sauer, A1 Zarilla, Gene Mauch. Produced by Byron Foy; directed by Lewis Seiler. X-Ray: When first reviewed in The Servisection of June, 1952, it was said of this reissue: “Baseball fans should be the biggest rooters for this film dealing with the career of Grover Cleveland Alex¬ ander. The presence of Day, Reagan, and Lovejoy should help things along, as well as the dramatic touches to be found in a yarn of average interest. Direction and production are suitable. There are several songs. Screen play is by Ted Sherdeman, Seeleg Lester, and Merwin Gerard, based on a story by Lester and Gerard.” Tip On Bidding: Reissue rates. Ad Lines: “The Heartwarming Story Of One Of Baseball’s Greatest Pitchers”; “Your Heart’ll Be Cheering ’Em! It’s The Big Leagues’ Big Love Story”; “They’ll Win Your Heart, Too!” Drama Young Man With A Horn uvsic 112m. Estimate: Reissue has plenty of angles. Cast: Kirk Douglas, Lauren Bacall, Doris Day, Hoagy Carmichael, Juano Hernandez, Jerome Cowan, Mary Beth Hughes, Nestor Paiva, Orley Lindgren, Walter Reed, Alex Gerry. Produced by Jerry Wald; directed by Michael Curtiz. X-Ray: When first reviewed in The Servisection of March, 1950, it was said of this reissue: “Rare perception and in¬ tegrity have been utilized in this exami¬ nation of the temperament of a perfec¬ tion-seeking modern day jazz musician which contains topnotch performances, good production values, and a wealth of music, making for an absorbing, enter¬ taining entry. Douglas is intense in a full-drawn characterization; Bacall regis¬ ters strongly; Day sings wholesomely; and fine support is lent by Hernandez and Carmichael. The screen play by Carl Foreman and Edmund H. North is based on the popular Dorothy Baker novel. Tight and comprehensive direction main¬ tains a neat pace and interest on high throughout, and the arresting title is an asset. At least 39 instrumental selections and songs are heard.” Tip On Bidding: Reissue rates. Ad Lines: “They Had To Meet— It Had To Be Great”; “The Picture With A Wallop”; “He Loved His Trumpet More Than He Loved Life.” MISCELLANEOUS Documentary The Flaming Teen-Age Melodrama 55m. (Truman Enterprises) Estimate: Amateurish “fast buck” attempt. Cast: Noel Reyburn, Ethel Barrett, Jerry Franks, others. Produced and di¬ rected by Irvin Yeaworth and Charles Edwards. Story: A small town youth, owner of a candy store, sells out and heads for New York because he can’t stand his rube friends and parents or his girl friend any longer. In the big city he soon meets his downfall with liquor and women pick¬ ups. After an abortive acting attempt, his father’s death, etc., he returns to the big town where he really hits the skids, becomes a dope peddler, an addict, and a shop-lifter to obtain money for drugs. He lands in jail, and while on the cure turns to God and becomes an evangelist. X-Ray: Amateurish in all respects save that of the male lead, who turns in a fairly competent performance, this has little merit other than as filler on the lower half. The title might sell in some spots, but it is misleading and will dis¬ appoint anyone expecting any flamboyant expose of teen age vices, etc. Photography is up and down, sound is poor, and everything else is below par. This is “fast buck” misrepresentation, although it is supposedly a true story. Ad Lines: “The Truth About The Road To Sin”; “Inside Dope On Big Town Vice”; “There Are Many Varieties Of Sin — This Teen-Ager Tries Them All.” Rock Baby, Rock It Musical 67 m. (Freebar Distributors) Estimate: Mediocre “beat” film. Cast: Johnny Carroll, Don Coats, Kay Wheeler, Cell Block Seven, Five Stars, Rosco Gordon, Belew Twins, Preacher Smith and Deacons, Bon Aires, Johnny Dobbs, Linda Wheeler, Joan Arnold, Bill Brookshire, Gayla Graves, Mike Biggs, Kay Moore, Lee Young, Dave Miller. Pro¬ duced by J. G. Tiger; directed by Mur¬ ray Douglas Sporup. Story: When a. ’teen age club faces the loss of its headquarters to a race wire ( Continued cm page 4331) ServitMtfon 5