Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1935)

December 7, 1935 MOTION PICTURE HERALD 29 THE CUTTING ROOM Advance outlines of productions nearing completion as seen by Gus McCarthy of Motion Picture Herald's Hollywood Bureau Desire Paramount Among the several features of this production which its sponsors believe will be important in stimulating exhibitor and patron interest is the fact that it again teams Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper in the leading roles. Both were seen in "Morocco," the picture which marked Miss Dietrich's American screen debut and was highly instrumental in establishing her popularity. Both have been seen subsequently in many pictures. Whether or not the advisability of referring to previous pictures is good judgment, it does seem that in this circumstance it would not be bad showmanship to make some note of the previous association in calling attention of the public mind to this feature. Other production credits also in the opinion of the producing company have value. Direction is by Frank Borzage, who numbers among his more recent pictures such commercial and entertainment successes as "Shipmates Forever" and "Flirtation Walk." In other years he has done "A Farewell to Arms" and "Bad Girl." Also during the picture's lengthy production schedule Ernst Lubitsch has kept in close personal touch with every detail. Worth of this fact as an exploitation quality may be noted in the prominence which the producing company gives his name whenever he is associated with a picture. Only secondary to the importance of the feature names is that of the supporting cast. Included are John Halliday, currently in "Dark Angel" and also to be seen in "Peter Ibbetson" , Allan Mowbray, William Frawley, currently in "Ship Cafe," Ernest Cossart, Akim Tamiroff, Effie Tilbury and Alden Chase. Localed in Europe mainly in France and Spain, the picture story is drama into which romance, mystery, comedy, music, suspense and action are woven. It features Miss Dietrich as a suave and accomplished jewel thief. Cooper is involved to fall in love with her, then attempting to get her to break with her accomplices, in sequences which are accompanied by an atmosphere of personal danger to both and convincing Dietrich to give up her adventurous life and come to America as his bride. Backf ire Warner Drama and romance is the essence of this story. The principal background is the construction of Boulder Dam. The yarn heroizes a young fellow who, after killing a man in a fight, becomes a fearful fugitive. Landing at the dam, befriended by a girl, he falls in love with her and gets a job. As background and action shots illustrate the construction of this engineering project, they also serve as an action accompaniment to a triangular romantic conflict, in which the hero first incurs his rival's displeasure to learn that his past is catching up with him, then saves his enemy's life. Confessing his criminal past to the girl and also the boss of the company upon whom he has made a deep impression, he is assured of the backing of the company in his fight to establish innocence and inspired by the girl who promises to wait for him. The story is an original screen play by Sy Bartlett, Ralph Block and Laird Doyle. It is being directed by Frank McDonald, recently credited with "Broadway Hostess" and "The Murder of Doctor Harrigan." Ross Alexander, featured in "Shipmates," will be seen in the leading role. Patricia Ellis plays the part of the girl and Lyle Talbot is the third principal. Supporting players included are Eddie Acuff, Henry O'Neill, Egon Brecher, Eleanor Wesselhoeft, William Pawley, Ronnie Cosby, George Breakston, Olin Howland and Joseph Crehan. Basically an action drama, the production features several hand-to-hand fights, and in addition to this mass appeal asset, the climaxing thrill in which suspense is concentrated is the hero's rescuing of his rival high up on the face of the dam as he hangs on to a rapidly disintegrating cable. The Singing Vagabond Republic Contrary to title indication, this is not a musical. Rather it is a western, naturally an action drama, in which the star, Gene Autry, sings as an incident in building his romance with the heroine. The story is by Oliver Drake, with screen play by Drake and Betty Burbridge. Carl Pierson, who has directed Autry in several of his previous appearances, functions in the same capacity. Name requirements are fulfilled by Autry, Ann Rutherford, Barbara Pepper and Smiley Burnette in the featured roles. Supporting players include Grace Goodal, Frank LaRue, Warner Richmond, Niles Welsh, Allan Season, Bob Burns, Charles King, Celia McCoanon, Henry Rocquemore and Ray Benard. Preliminary situations being of the character familiar to this type picture, the setup has Autry a soldier, leading forces in the rescue of a wagon train that has been besieged by bandits. Romance developing between him and Ann Rutherford, there is conflict at first. This situation is reversed when, through an error of justice, Autry is convicted as a horse thief. Autry escapes and, aided by several of his buddies, goes in pursuit of the wagon train. Arriving just in time to prevent annihilation by a band of marauding Indians, the culprit who stole the horses confesses. Autry, cleared of suspicion, joins the train to clear up the situation with Miss Rutherford. While the theme is but little different from that which has been done many times before, principal showmanship interest appears to be best available in the action counterpart. This movement, built mainly about the two attacks on the wagon train, seems capable of providing showmen with ideas to arouse the interest of western fans. Woman Trap Paramount Basically this story is of the melodramatic action adventure character. In gist, it tells of the depredations of a gang of thieves who seek the sanctuary of interior Mexico to evade the arm of American law agencies. Involved with them are a young American heiress who is being held for ransom and a newspaper reporter who is striving to run the gang down. This situ ation is the premise for the show's ensuing drama, romance, comedy, adventure thrill and personal danger action, which in view of the none too business influencing quality of the cast is the angle upon which the producers are centering their bid for exhibitor and popular interest. The story is an original screen play by Charles Brackett and Eugene Walter. It is being directed by Harold Young, who handled "Without Regret." Gertrude Michael will be seen in the role of the abducted heiress, and George Murphy, currently in "Anything Goes," as the composite sleuth and newspaper man who actually are the central figures in the story's melodrama and action. Of some note is the fact that Akim Tamiroff, seen in supporting roles in many other pictures, is given his first opportunity at a featured part. Other players to be seen include Dean Jagger, Roscoe Karns, Russell Hicks, David Haines, Julian Rivero, Sidney Blackmer, Edward Brophy, Bradley Page, Henrietta Burnside and Arthur Aylesworth. That only two women are mentioned in the cast should give some idea of the production's color and character. Concentrating on melodrama and melodramatic romance, direction is so contriving the various phases and situations that the element of suspense as it menaces the lives and fortunes of the heroine and hero that the dramatic worth of that quality is being counted upon heavily to arouse audience and showmanship attention. Dangerous Waters Universal Adventure on the high seas is the pitch to which this picture is keyed. Secondarily it is a story of a man's devotion to a wife who was entitled to no consideration. Substantiating these primary qualities, it is a story of courage, heroism and villainy. As such it includes much that has demonstrated its worth as screen material from an entertainment and commercial viewpoint. The production is based upon the published novel, "Glory Hole," a term synonymous with ships' stokeholds. The screen play is by Richard Schayer and Hazel Jamieson. It is being directed by Lambert Hillyer, who numbers among his recent pictures "The Invisible Ray'' and "The Awakening of Jim Burke." Authenticity of production effects as they pertain to life and activity aboard a ship at sea, particularly in the phases where dangers from fire and destructive complicity are concerned, are given realism by the technical direction of Lieut. Francis C. Pollard, J. S. C. G. The story, in sticking closely to the element . of salty dangerous adventure, also includes a thread of jealous romantic conflict. It tells of an officer who, commended for his seamanship and resourcefulness in saving a burning liner, is rewarded by losing his job. His domestic tranquility made turmoil by the activities of his wastrel wife, he gets a new job and, defeating the conspiracies of enemies who would sink his ship, steers it safely to port and is rewarded with a job on a fine new liner after his wife has deserted him and he finds new love with the daughter of his old skipper. Jack Holt, currently in "The Littlest Rebel," will be seen in the leading role. Grace Bradley (.Continued on following page)