Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Feb 1939)

January 14, 1939 MOTION PICTURE HERALD 49 admirably her relatively small acting chore, but it is James McCallion as the tough leader of the youthful gang and Roger Daniel as the suspected stool pigeon who register most strongly. A number of experienced character men play the unprincipled camp bosses impressively. Save for identification of the scene as a turpentine camp, the setting is geographically vague. The time is now. The boy gang is as tough and unrestrained as any seen in the several recent pictures featuring hardboiled kids, but there is no possibility of man, woman or child mistaking the moral implications of their experiences. Previewed at the Pantages Hollywood Theatre to the manifest satisfaction of those present. -W. R. W. Produced and distributed by RKO Radio. Produced and directed by P. J. Wolfson. Musical director, Roy Webb. Photographer, J. Roy Hunt. Special effects by Vernon L. Walker. Art director, Van Nest Polglase. Associate, Albert D'Agostino. Recorded by Richard Van Hessen. Film editor, Desmond Marquette. Assistant director, Doran Cox. P. C. A. Certificate No. 4777. Running time, when seen in Hollywood, 70 minutes. Release date, February 10, 1939. General audience classification. CAST Nellie, an orphan girl Anne Shirley Jesse Thompson, a runaway boy Roger Daniel James McCallion boys of the road Walter Ward Charles Powers John Fitzgerald Frank Malo Paul White .Walter Tetley Tim Miser , Lollie Knuckles Tommy Atlas Pee Wee Albee, a turpentine-camp owner Charles Lane Graff, Albee's overseer Alan Baxter Drift Boss Fred Kohler, Sr. Sheriff Arthur Hohl Camp Cook Olin Howland Harvey George Breakstone Jesse's Mother Helen McKellar Freddie Jimmy Zahner Snob Charles Peck Small Town Judge J. M. Kerrigan Motor Cop Adrian Morris Brakeman William Pawley Truck Drivers { S3"1 Guilfoyle / Rube Demarest Farm Woman s Leona Robert Store Clerk Irving Bacon i Frank O'Connor J Frank Fanning DePuties ] Walter Shumway LGeorge Chandler Plainclothesmen \ ^dd F™e . .(i ( Monte Vandergrift Farmer Carl Stockdale Heart of Paris (Tri-National) Problem Theme A carefully wrought characterization by Raimu is the outstanding feature of this French adult importation which Tri-National Films is releasing in this country. Raimu portrays a wellmeaning but befuddled person who befriends a heretofore friendless girl and in so doing involves himself and his family in endless trouble which eventually causes him to turn on the girl he befriended. The rising French actress Michele Morgan plays the girl. The picture's title in France was "Gribouille," which refers to a kind and valiant dreamer. The title "Heart of Paris" probably has more exploitation value for this country. . There are sufficient, and intelligently written, English titles to compensate for a lack of knowledge of the French tongue. The film's appeal lies chiefly in selected audiences appreciative of an adult problem theme. "Morestan" is the good natured proprietor of a Paris sporting goods shop and the father of two grown children, a boy and girl. Called for jury duty he helps free "Natalie," a young woman accused of having killed her "lover." Unable to obtain employment, "Natalie" asks aid of "Morestan," who gives her a job in his shop. He tells his family that "Natalie" is the daughter of an old friend. The son, who attended the trial, believes his father is carrying on an illicit relationship, but learns he has falsely accused his parent. The son is attracted to the girl. The fiance of "Morestan's" daughter also discovers "Natalie's" identity and insults her, which causes a fist fight with the son. When the son steals from his father, the latter blames the derelic tion on "Natalie" and strikes her on the head with a statuette. "Morestan," dazed, tries to tell a gendarme that he has committed a tragedy but his wife tells him that "Natalie" is unhurt. Reviewed in a projection room in New York. P. C M., Jr. Distributed by Tri-National Films. An Andre Daven Production. Directed by Marc Allegret. From a story by Marcel Achard. Adapted by H. G. Lustig. Music by Georges Auric. English titles by Clement Douenias. Running time, 85 minutes. Release date, January 12, 1939. Adult audience classification. CAST Camille Morestan Raimu Natalie Roguin Michele Morgan Claude Morestan Gilbert Gil Presiding Judge Jean Worms Lurette Carette Prosecutor Marcel Andre Defense Counsel Jacques Gretillat Marinier Jacques Baumer Robert Andrex Francoise Morestan Jacqueline Pacaud Louise Morestan Jeanne Provost Disbarred (Paramount) Melodrama Primary name value in "Disbarred" is represented by Gail Patrick, Otto Kruger, Robert Preston and Sidney Toler. The supporting cast members are of little exploitation consequence. One of the Paramount studio's "General Manager's Office" group of production, the picture is melodramatic in character and topical in content. There is only the barest suggestion of love interest and meager comedy is of the sinister variety. "Disbarred" exposes the shady practices of unethical criminal lawyers. Tossed out of the legal profession for his part in defending underworld characters, "Cradon" moves to another city and discovers the brilliant woman lawyer, "Joan Carroll." Rounding up his old cohorts, but keeping his identity secret, "Cradon" makes "Joan" his mouthpiece in defending the community's criminals. "Joan's" loyalty to her oath more than balances her thanks to "Cradon" for giving her an opportunity. At the climax she switches over to the district attorney's side and prepares to prosecute her mentor on a murder charge. There is a ring of familiarity to almost every episode pictured in "Disbarred." Consequently, there is no novelty with which to pique patron interest. Previewed at Forum theatre, Los Angeles. The audience appeared to be sitting through the picture only because it wanted to see the regular program. — G. M. Produced and distributed by Paramount. Stuart Walker associate producer. Directed by Robert Florey. Bill Faralla assistant director. Screen play by Lillie Hayward and Robert Presnell. Story by Harry Sauber. Photographed by Harry Fishbeck. P. C. A. Certificate No. 4781. Running time, when seen in Hollywood, 62 minutes. Release date: January 20, 1939. General audience classification. CAST Joan Carroll Gail Patrick Tyler Cradon Otto Kruger Bradley Kent Robert Preston Mardy Sidney Toler Abbey Tennant Helen McKellar Roberts Clay Clement Harrigan Edward Marr Drew Oland Howland Miss LaRue Virginia Dabney Jackson Charles D. Brown Blanchard Frank M. Thomas Reporter Harry Worth Reporter John Hart Lincoln in the White House (Vitaphone) A Must for American Screens One of the biggest stage hits in New York is Robert E. Sherwood's "Abe Lincoln in Illinois." In this inspiring screen miniature, Lincoln continues from where the Sherwood play left him, on his departure from Springfield for Washington. In a collection of concise and significant sequences, the President is seen and heard from the occasion of his inaugural address on March 4, 1861, to "The Gettysburg Address." Rich incidents detail the humanity, humor, simplicity and sincerity of the Lincoln character, whether in a political conference with the cabinet or in domestic conversation with Mary and Tad. The President is shown in his idealistic determination to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, his interview with a mother, come to plead for her son, who is to face the firing squad for falling asleep on sentry duty, the perfect Lincoln reply to General Grant's critics and the penciling of the draft of the Gettysburg speech on rough wrapping paper. Frank McGlynn, Sr., whose portrayal of the President has become almost second nature to him, plays his part with sympathetic and effective feeling. Dickie Moore, John Harron, Raymond Brown, Erville Alderson and Sibyl Harris competently re-create the other historical characters. William McGann has directed sensitively from a moving screen play transcription by Charles L. Tedford. There are handsome mountings and warm color shadings. The outstanding subject should receive enthusiastic endorsement from theatre audiences in general and from patriotic, educational and religious organizations in particular. — Running time, 20 minutes. Penny's Picnic (MGM) Appetite Builder Again that feminine wizard of pots and pans, Prudence Penny, cooks up dishes tasty enough to set before a king, or any appreciative movie goer. Prudence goes out to the great outdoors to do her home making tricks. With a set of ordinary cooking utensils and a wood fire, she serves up a meal that has practically everything from soup to nuts. Some glowing color helps to make the dishes more appetizing and there is the salty comment of Pete Smith to add relish. — Running time, 10 minutes. Petra, the Lost City (United Artists) Historical Ghost Town Picture goers and novel readers who have been thrilled and mystified by the stories of ghost cities will relish this anthropological expedition among the haunted ruins of Petra, lost city of Biblical times. The crumbling ruins of temples and palaces bear silent testimony to the tenacity by foreign conquerors. Today the spot is desolate and deserted and no self-respecting Arab would be found sleeping or dead near it. Through sensitive camera manipulation and expressive color daubing, the eerie atmosphere is expertly presented. — Running time, one reel. Mutts to You (Columbia) Three Stooges That comedy trio, the Three Stooges, past masters of the art of slapstick, cavort in the manner to which they are accustomed in this two-reeler. The story, a minor item with the Stooges and serving only as background for their antics, has the boys operating a dog washing shop, involves them in a kidnapping case and has made provisions for the inevitable chase. The boys continue to pummel each other with complete abandon, never seeming to tire of their favorite indoor or outdoor sport. Included in the cast are Bess Flowers, Lane Chandler and Vernon Dent. Running time, 18 minutes. Jerusalem (United Artists) Timely In view of unsettled conditions in the Holy Land, this excursion to the sacred but sore spot of the Near East possesses timely interest. The pictorial inspection reveals a geographical summary of the troublesome district. Visited are such historic spots as the Garden of Gethsemane, the tomb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Wailing Wall and a temple dedicated to the worship of Allah. Running time, one reel.