Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1938)

December 2 4, 19 3 8 MOTION PICTURE HERALD 41 Charlie Chan in Honolulu (20th Century-Fox) A New Chan Sidney Toler, a new name in an old pictui'e series, does not seek to make himself a replica of the man who created the "Charlie Chan" character, the late Warner Oland. Nor does Sen Yung, who replaces Keye Luke, important in the last several "Chans," copy his predecessor's style or mannerisms. These two players, especialy Toler, obviously are the outstanding exploitation features of "Charlie Chan in Honolulu." Upon how exhibitors accept them and cause their patrons to accept them rests, to a great extent, the future of the "Chan" series. The work of the two in their first picture suggests that after the public has become accustomed to them the popularity and commercial value of the "Chans" will not suffer. "Charlie Chan in Honolulu" adheres to the long established formula. Mystery, murder, melodrama, comedy, suspense, surprise and excitement are the principal ingredients. There is only the barest suggestion of romantic love interest. All action takes place on a liner in Honolulu Harbor. A murder has been committed and second son, "James," an ambitious sleuth, mixes things up. "Chan" comes into the case and, although confronted by a multiplicity of suspects and a snarled skein of possible motives, makes use of his Oriental sagacity and modernized detective abilities to untangle all the lead threads and, in the surprise climax, trap the heretofore unsuspected killer. Previwed December 18th at Grauman's Chinese theatre, Hollywood. Did a camel gallop through a n-eedle's eye it would be no greater wonder than the preview of a "Chan" in the Chinese. Consequently the event was an unusual one, attended by top ranking executives, the most sought after reviewers and commentators and invited guests, most of whom were familiar with the "Chans" only by reading about them. Demonstrating the special attention accorded them, quite a few of these strangers to "Chan" went into ecstasies. Having looked at about all the sixteen or eighteen that preceded "Chan in Honolulu," this observer could not help wondering what would have been their reactions had they seen some of those. — G. M. Produced and distributed by 20th Century-Fox. John Stone, associate producer. Directed by H. Bruce Humberstone. Original screen play by Charles Belden. Based on character created by Earl Derr Biggers. Nick DeMaggio, film editor. Photographed by Charles Clarke. P.C.A. Certificate Number 4861. Running time, 65 minutes, when seen in Hollywood. Release date: January 20, 1939. General audience classification. CAST Charlie Chan Sidney Toler Judy Hayes Phyllis Brooks James Chan Sen Yung Al Hogan Eddie Collins Randolph John King Mrs. Carol Wayne Claire Dodd Dr. Cardigan George Zucco Captain Johnson Robert Barrat Johnny McCoy Marc Lawrence Joe Arnold Richard Lane Tommy Chan Layne Tom, Jr. Wing Foo Philip Ahn Inspector Rawlins Paul Harvey Going Places (Warner-F.N.) Comedy with Songs "The Hottentot" was such a hit the first time out that it appears logical for showmen to tell the folks at once that this is it. Warners' tell 'em so on the screen, so it's no secret. The story of "Going Places" differs only slightly and in detail from the original version of the stage play by Victor Mapes and William Collier, Sr., and the original picture which made Douglas McLean famous. This time it is Dick Powell who rides the uncontrollable steeplechaser and this time a swing band (Louis Armstrong's) keeps the horse on the course by accompanying it, alongside, aboard a truck. Sig Herzig, Jerry Wald and Maurice Leo wrote the present screen play, pointing it for laughable sequences rather than cumulative comedy, and four song numbers were provided by Harry Warren and Johnny Mercer, two of them infectious. Anita Louise is the girl in the story, but the comedians, Allen Jenkins, Harold Huber and Walter Catlett, are more to the fore. Lusty Louis Armstrong is potent with trumpet and voice, as well as in a minor comedy assignment, and Maxine Sullivan may be advertised as also present although she doesn't get much opportunity to do her stuff. There is also a colored singing and dancing chorus, for one specialty number. The story, it will be remembered, is about a young sporting goods salesman who poses as a famous gentleman rider at a fashionable resort by way of advertising his apparel. He is forced by circumstance and a pair of gamblers to ride in the steeplechase and, of course, wins. Previewed December 16th at the Warner Hollywood theatre. HoUyzvood, where it was nicely received. — W. R. W. Produced and distributed by Warner Brothers. A First National picture. Associate producer, Benjamin Glazer. Directed by Ray Enright. Screen play by Sig Herzig, Jerry Wald and Maurice Leo. From "The Hottentot," by Victor Mapes and William Collier, Sr. Music and lyrics by Harry Warren and Johnny Mercer. Photographed by Arthur L. Todd. Film editor, Clarence Kolster. P.C.A. Certificate No. 4809. Release date, December 31, 1938. Running time, when seen in Hollywood, 85 minutes. General audience classification. CAST Peter Mason Dick Powell Ellen Parker Anita Louise Droopy Allen Jenkins Jack Withering Ronald Reagan Franklin Dexter Walter Catlett Maxie Harold Huber Frank Larry Williams Col. Withering Thurston Hall Cora Withering Minna Gombell Joan '. Joyce Compton Frorae Robert Warwick Desk Oerk John Ridgely Night Clerk Joe Cunningham Groom Eddie Anderson Sam George Reed Gabe Louis Armstrong Specialty Maxine Sullivan Adventure in Sahara ( Columbia ) Legion Melodrama The French Foreign Legion and the Sahara Desert once again serve as background for a melodramatic film. Here as in other pictures with the same backgrounds the motivating force is the cruelty of the Commandant. The Legionnaires revolt and after a battle with Arabs the leaders are brought to trial but are let oif with a slight sentence when the only other officer at the post testifies for them. A thin thread of romance skirts the story proper. The girl in the case is an aviatrix who follows Paul Kelly to the output in the desert, has a crack-up and consequently is billeted in the outpost. The girl is Lorna Gray. The Commandant is played by C. Henry Gordon, while other cast members include Robert Fiske, Marc Lawrence and Dick Curtis. "Jim Wilson," an American employed as a pilot by a French airline, receives word that his brother, a Legionnaire, has died. Believing that a "Captain Savatt" is responsible "Wilson" joins the Legion and asks to be assigned to "Savatt's" outpost. After "Rene" dies from treatment ordered by "Savatt" and "Wilson" is released from solitary confinement the soldiers revolt. "Savatt" and those who remain loyal to him are given rations and sent into the desert. Of the group "Savatt" is the only survivor. He reaches headquarters and troops are dispatched to quell the revolt. When they arrive at the outpost an Arab band attacks them but the mutineers come to their aid and drive off the Arabs. The mutineers are court martialed and receive a slight jail sentence. Reviewed at the Globe theatre, New York. The audience viewed the film with attention but was noncommittal as to its reaction. — P. G. M. Produced and distributed by Columbia. Directed by D. Ross Lederman. Story by Sam Fuller. Screen play by Maxwell Shane. Assistant director, Arthur Black. Photography by Franz Planer. Film editor, lOtto Meyer. Musical director, M. W. Stoloflf. Sound, Ed Bernds. P.C.A. Certificate No. 4629. Running time, 58 minutes. Release date, November 15, 1938. General audience classification. CAST Jim Wilson Paul Kelly Captain Savatt C. Henry Gordon Carla Preston Lorna Gray Lieutenant Dumond Robert Fiske Poule Marc Lawrence Karnoldi Dick Curtis Rene Malreaux Stanley Brown Corporal Dronov Alan Bridge Ladoux Raphael Bennett Gungadin Charles Moore Gravet Dwight Frye Colonel Rancreux Stanley Andrews Gambling Ship (Universal) Melodrama Filmed without fanfare and played by dependable if not famous performers, this straightaway melodrama falls in the category of reliable entertainment, staple merchandise. Back of the young people who meet and marry, all quite after the gay fashion of contemporary romantics, such consistent actors as Ed Brophy, Irving Pichel and Joseph Sawyer are busy with gangsterish proceedings somewhat out of the usual lane of travel but realistic. Robert Wilcox and Helen Mack play the leads. The story by G. Carleton Brown and Emanuel Manheim (screen play by Alex Gottlieb) utilizes that little used tool, the motion picture camera, effectively. Thus, and without straining, a key-speech in a suspenseful situation is, "Remember— motion pictures are your best entertainment." It occurs naturally. "The Professor," a gangster who works out his plots mathematically, wants possession of a successful gambling ship, honestly operated, and murders its owner to get it. The dead man's daughter, "MoUie," comes home from school and takes over the ship as a means of obtaining revenue with which to finance an orphanage. "Larry," a handsome thug in employ of "The Professor," seems determined to wreck the young lady's financial scheme, but turns out be a State agent instead and ultimately proves "The Professor" guilty of the murder. Happy ending. Produced by Irving Starr and directed by Aubrey Scotto, the film has directness, momentum and melodramatic punch. Previewed December ISth at the Alexander theatre, Glendale, Calif., on a night so stormy that few citizens ventured out to attend. The few, however, seemed pleased. — W. R. W. Produced and distributed by Universal. Producer, Irving Starr. Directed by Aubrey Scotto. Original story, G. Carleton Brown and Emanuel Manheim. Screen play by Alex Gottlieb. Photographed by George Meehan. Film editor, Ed Curtis. P.C.A. Certificate No. 4904. Release date, December 16, 1938. Running time, when seen in Glendale, 60 minutes. General audience classification. CAST Larry Robert Wilcox Mollie Helen Mack Innocent Ed Brophy Professor Irving Pichel Tony Joseph Sawyer Riley Selmer Jackson Speedy Sam McDaniel Matron Dorothy Vaughn Fingers Al Hill Cramer John Harmon Snowflake Rudolph Chavers Nick Tim Davis Western Jamboree (Republic) Autry Western The popular singing cowboy, Gene Autry, is the star of this western, which has a good story and good comedy to recommend it. Gene as usual sings several songs, one of which is the very tuneful Spanish air "Ay, Ay, Ay." The plot developments involve two angles. The first revolves around a penurious old rancher who talks Autry into making the Circle a dude {Continued on following page)