Motion Picture Herald (Sep-Oct 1941)

4U MOTION PICTURE -HERALD September 27, 19 4 1 SET OA Hits Fifth Columnists LATE REVIEWS For other Showmen's Reviews see Product Digest Section, page 65 Burma Convoy (Universal, 1941-42) Topical Melodrama Produced with a clear conception of melodramatic values by Marshall Grant and directed for all that's in it, which is quite a lot, by Noel N. Smith, this action-film integrated with the news of the day contains a maximum of thrill, suspense and the related ingredients of thrilling entertainment for followers of adventure pictures. It is to be recorded that, although the story pertains to the trucking of munitions along the Burma Road to the Chinese army under British direction and with some Americans participating in the proceedings, there is no dialogue reference to Japan, and the parachute troops who attempt to sabotage the convoy are identified as Chinese insurrectionists. Uniqueness of scene is an asset to the enterprise, and conciseness of plot prevents lagging or confusion. An amplitude of fighting, by fist, by knife and by firearms, keeps interest high and action headlong. Synopsized on page 137 of your Product Digest, the picture is a timely number suitable for exhibition in any and all places for audiences of all ages. Previezved at the studio for a trade press group which pronounced it a high point in the company's flozv of adventure films. — William R. Weaver. Release date not set. P.C.A. No. 7564. Running time, 60 minutes. General audience classification. CAST Cliff Weldon Charles Bickford Ann McBrogel Evelyn Ankers Mike Weldon Frank Albertson Lloyd McBrogel Cecil Kellaway Truman Bradley, Willi Funk. Viola Vaughnn, Keye Luke Mr. Celebrity (Producers Releasing Corp., 1941-42) Human Interest Comedy One of the most substantial supporting program films to come out of Hollywood, regardless of budget, "Mr. Celebrity" contains just about everything from heart tugs, comedy, and action to nostalgia, all neatly wrapped up and aimed at every type of audience. Having a borse-racing background, it also tells the story of an orphaned boy whose grandparents want to obtain his custody and take him away from bis uncle, a veterinary. Their destinies become entwined with those of a group of former "greats" — film stars, a boxer, a lawyer, a jockey, bound together by common interest in racing a horse which seems the way to prosperity. {'laying themselves are Francis X. Bushman, Clara Kimball Young and Jim Jeffries, tin sight of whom will awaken memories of film goers and sports fans of a generation or more ago. Little Buzzy Henry, as the boy ; James Seay, as the uncle, Doris Day, William Halligan, Gavin Gordon, Johnny Berkes, Jack Baxley, Larry Grey, John E. Ince, and a host hi others complete the cast, all of them delivering knockout performances under the able creditable guidance of director William Beau dine. George R. Batcheller, in charge of production for P. R. C, and Martin Mooney, making his debut as a producer, have achieved a near miracle in mounting the picture, giving it qualities many times surpassing the budgetary confines. The film is an all around remarkable job from cast, story, direction, production down and up. Previezved at the Academy Lounge projection room, Hollywood, Roosevelt Hotel, Holl\<zvood, to a press and professional audience, wise in the ways of film making, which was amazed by the qualities of the film. It made a hit such as few pictures have. — V. K. Release date, Oct. 10, 1941. Running time 67 minutes. P. C. A. No. 7704. General audience classification. Danny Mason Buzzy Henry Jim King James Feay Carol Carter Doris Day Mr. Mason William Halligan Gavin Gordon, Johnny Berkes, Jack Baxley, Lorry Grey, John E. Ince, Frank Hagney, Jack Richardson, Alfred Hall. SHORT PRODUCT PLAYING BROADWAY Week of September 20th ASTOR Wafer Bugs MGM Feature: Dr. Jekyll anil Mr. Hyde MGM CAPITOL Football Thrills of 1941 MGM Glimpses of Florida MGM Feature: Lady, Be Good MGM CRITERION Meet the Stars, No. 5 Republic Westward Ho-Hum (Edgar Kennedy) RKO Radio Feature: Dr. Kildare's Wedding Day MGM MUSIC HALL March of Time, "Thumbs Up, Texas" RKO Radio Feature: Lydia United Artists PARAMOUNT Popular Science, No. 6. . . . Paramount The Wizard of Arts Paramount Guardians of the Wild .... Paramount Feature: Our Wife Columbia RIALTO I'll Never Heil Again ( Stooges) Columbia Information Please, No. 12. RKO Radio Feature: The Pittsburgh Kid Republic ROXY One Man Navy 20th Cent.-Fox American Sea Power 20th Cent.-Fox Feature: Sun Valley Serenade 20th Cent.-Fox STRAND Polo with the Stars Vitaphone Aviation VacaHon Vitaphone Feature: Nary Blues Warner Bros. The Southeastern Theatre Owners Association, in the course of their convention in Jacksonville, Florida, adopted the following resolutions : "Whereas, our country and our kind of world are today subjected to one of the most vicious assaults in all history by those who have made sabotage, espionage and deception the chief instrument of their evil policy, and, "Whereas, it has been the policy of the dictators who hurl such assaults, not only to strike from the outside but to bore from within the body politics of their enemies, and, "Whereas, a nation is no stronger than its spirit and its unity and the morale of the people, now, "Therefore, we, the Southeastern Theatre Owners Association, do hereby denounce all those agencies and efforts designed to undermine the foundations of our institution, to produce dissension and confusion amongst our people, to break down the morale of our citizens and to paralyze the will and the mind of this nation to defend itself and remain a great and free land. "Be it further resolved that we, the Southeastern Theatre Owners Association, do further commend and endorse all those governmental agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Intelligence units of the Army and Navy, the state, county and municipal police officers and all civic and patriotic organizations who have made it their purpose to ferret out these sinister and insidious agencies and all others who are giving aid or comfort to our die ' tator enemies and trying to destroy the safety j and security of our land. "Be it further resolved, that we heartily endorse the courageous and worthy American i leadership of our great President, Franklin D. ; Roosevelt, in his heroic defense of our country, j our continent and democracy of the world. "Be it further resolved, that we do call upon the President to strengthen and add to those Federal agencies which are engaged in fighting ' against the despised Fifth Columnist, the Tro \ jan Horse and other un-American influences which have been gnawing at the vitals of our country. "Be it further resolved that we, the South j eastern Theatre Owners Association in convention assembled at Jacksonville, Florida, September 9th, 1941, do call upon the public to lend . all possible cooperation to federal, state and municipal agencies as well as to all worthy patriotic organizations endeavoring at this crucial time to defend our land, our homes and all that we love. "Be it further resolved, that copies of this j resolution to sent to the President of the United States, to each member of the House and Senate, j, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and to the press." National Decency Legion Classifies Six Pictures Of the six motion pictures classified by the National Legion of Decency in its listing for the current week four were approved for general patronage, one was found unobjectionable for adults and one was classified as objectionable in part. The pictures and their classifications follow: Class A-l, Unobjectionable for General Patronage: "Bad Man of Deadwood," "Great Guns," "Harmon of Michigan" and "Law of the Wolf." Class A-2, Unobjectionable for Adults: "Night of January 16th." Class B, Objectionable in Part: "Among the Living."