Motion Picture Herald (Jul-Aug 1936)

54 MOTION PICTURE HERALD August 8, 1936 IN THE STUDIO CUTTING ROOM (Continued from page 52) Gordon Jones ; Harry Jans, Frank Jenks and Addison Randall as mobsters ; Nella Walker as Stone's Wife, and in minor atmospheric parts Fern Emmett, Arthur Hoyt and Charles Richman. Hollywood Boulevard (Paramount) Drama Familiar atmospheric production scenes being incorporated herein probably will prove of more attractive exploitation value than any other elements in the picture. As it tells a dramatic story, in which, strange as it seems, comedy contrast is the result of dramatic situations, the picture takes its auditors on a comprehensive tour of Hollywood. Actually, the story is not a within-the-studio-gates yarn; rather, it is a cross section visualization of things that are particularly Hollywood where everybody wants to be a picture star and yesterday's extraordinaries are today's ordinary extras. The story concerns a passe star who still thinks he's great if he only had a chance. When he is prevailed upon to write his memoirs, the unscrupulous publisher colors them up with a lot of lurid details (a procedure not uncommon). The articles, creating a sensation, make it seem that their author is still a hot number, and through chicanery the publisher finances a picture that again will star the oldtimer. This leads to a tragic denouement which not only menaces the veteran's scrambled domestic life, but brings danger to one dear to the publisher. Based on a story by Faith Thomas with screen play by Marguerite Roberts, the production is being directed by Robert Florey. John Halliday will be seen as the oldtime actor and C. Henry Gordon as the publisher. Various persons whose lives are effected, as the result of the deal made by the two men, are Marsha Hunt, Robert Cummings, Esther Dale and Frieda Inescort. Closely associated during the film's action with stars and featured players are Esther Ralston, Albert Conti, Oscar Apfel, Purnell Pratt and others. Additionally, scores of notables of other years will be seen in atmospheric roles. The Man Who Lived Twice (Columbia) Drama Supporting the literal significance of its title, this production tells a strange story. A killer, knowing that he's at his trail's end, prevails upon a medical scientist to permit him to be the object of his experiment whereby useful men can be made of useless stock. The operation successful, the scientific guinea pig emerges an eminent doctor. He knows nothing of his past, but the law, aided and abetted by a jealous moll of his gangster days, catches up with him. Tried on old charges, he is convicted, but his attorney makes a stirring appeal to the governor that the humanitarian scientist of today is a new man and that the world is more in need of his skill and ability in curing potential criminals than in his death in punishment for the earlier crimes. The picture is based on an original story by Tom Van Cyche, who prepared the screen play in collaboration with Fred Niblo, Jr. Direction is by Harry Lachman, who in previous pictures has demonstrated a flair for handling this type of material, as the dramatic phases of "Dante's Inferno" attest. Ralph Bellamy is presented in the dual role of criminal Slick Rawley and the remade Doctor James Blake. Isabel Jewell is the moll of the old days whose jealousy of Marian Marsh sharing the romantic contrast of the story's second phase with Bellamy, leads to her putting the law again on Bellamy's trail. Ward Bond is Slick's gunman pal, later Dr. Blake's protector. The role of the sleuth who devotes his life to tracking down Rawley is assumed by Willard Robertson. Though the motivating idea of this story is by no means new, the manner in which it_ has been adapted here is unique. In substance it is the reverse of the "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" plot premise. In itself, however, the picture seems to be of the character that makes possible the application of other than ordinary formula exploitation ideas. While the players appearing are worthy, it looks as though the story, itself, is the thing to concentrate on in building interest creating publicity. Oh Susannah (Republic) Drama While this picture is western in action and atmosphere, it is a romance tinged drama that takes Gene Autry completely out of his heretofore exclusive western player role. Factually the story is melodrama in which the life of the leading player is twice in jeopardy. Hurled from a train by a fleeing murderer who later disguises himself in his victim's clothes to effect his escape, the villain again kills and as he has been accepted as Autry, the last-named again is the objective of a manhunt. But in conjunction with his buddy of several other pictures, Smiley Burnette, and with the musical assistance of a popular coast radio singing orchestra, he does a bit of entertaining, falls in love with the girl in the case and between both contrives to trap the killer and clear his own name. The story is an original screen play by Oliver Drake and is being directed by Joseph Kane. Musical contrast provides instrumental, solo and chorus numbers prepared by Sam Stept, Drake, Autry and Burnette. Practically all the relevant action in the story is handled by Autry, Burnette, Frances Grant, Earle Hodgins, Donald Kirke and Boothe Howard, who is the heavy of the piece. Additional players include Clara Kimball Young, Ed Piel, Frank Marvin, Carl Stockdale, Roger Gray, Fred Burns, Lew Meehan, Snowflake and Earl Dwyer. King of the Royal Mounted (20th Century -FoxSol Lesser) Drama and Romance An authentic and believable Zane Grey story sufficiently including virile action and excitement to interest the thrill devotees, a better than average cast and quality of production are the basic ingredients of this production. It's a dramatic story of love and intrigue in the Northwest with a girl's hand and fortune at', stake, in which the Royal Mounted policeman frustrates the plot of conspirators to deprive the heroine of what belongs to her. Many facts recommend the picture to showmanship attention. Zane Grey's popularity as a screen writer is recognized. The story upon which this picture is based is appearing in several hundred newspapers, automatically creating a potential pre-made audience. In it Robert Kent, now being seen in "The Coun try Beyond" and "The Crime of Dr. Forbes," is presented in the title role. He is of a type not usually seen in action pictures and it is expected that he will be effective in stimulating feminine interest. Sharing the romantic interest with Kent is Rosalind Keith, lately seen in "It's a Great Life," and "Poppy." The part of the heavy is being played by Alan Dinehart. As this trio is the center of all action, supporting players include Frank McGlynn, Sr., Arthur Loft, Grady Sutton, Jack Luden and Artie Ortego. Direction is by Howard Bretherton, maker of many pictures for Warner, also credited with handling the Hopalong Cassidy series. The adaptation is by Earl Snell, who has a long list of successful screen plays. In this he has introduced many unique twists to distinguish it from previous Zane Grey stories. The film is being produced by Sol Lesser. Practically all action was shot in the Mammoth Lake districts of the High Sierra Mountain Country, the scenic beauty of which duplicates the still primitive Northwest Canada. His Brother's Wife (MGM) Dramatic Romance According to authentic reports, Robert Taylor's popularity has increased amazingly, particularly with women patrons. A succession of exceptional pictures from "Broadway Melody" to "Private Number," plus his personality, has made him a top ranking favorite. Quite naturally, to most exhibitors, he stands out as this production's dominating showmanship asset. It seems that this story has been selected with a special eye towards increasing Taylor's prestige. It is a dramatic romance. Part of it is gay and charming; the other half is serious. A young doctor and girl fall in love. His brother and parents object to their intent to marry. The father pays the boy's gambling debts on condition that he go away and forget the girl. Further to remove any obstacle that might hinder his scientific career, the brother marries the girl. Now the story turns completely dramatic. The doctor returns from South America and prevails upon his brother's wife to return there with him. There, as the brother gets a divorce, both understand their love. With Taylor as the young doctor, the cast looks to be of unusual merit. Barbara Stanwyck is the girl and John Eldredge is the brother. Jean Hersholt will be seen as the boys' father and Joseph Calleia as a gambling czar with whom Taylor gets into financial difficulties. Other players in the cast include Samuel Hinds, Phyllis Claire, Leonard Mudie, Jed Prouty, Pedro de Cordoba, Rafael Corio, William Stack and Edgar Edwards. Based on a modernly conceived story, the production values are rich in depicting the two major locales, New York and the interior of South America's jungles. The picture is directed by W. S. Van Dyke, whose most recent effort, "San Francisco," is currently causing plenty of excitement. Films Entered in Festival Three American producing companies have selected their entries for the fourth International Cinema Festival to be held in Venice, Italy, August 10th to the 31st. Paramount will enter "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine;" RKO, "Mary of Scotland," and Twentieth Century-Fox, "Under Two Flags" and "A Message to Garcia."