Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1944)

SHORT SUBJECTS reviews and synopses Reviews and synopses-of short subjects printed In Product Digesf are indexed In the Short Sub* I'ects Chart, Product Digest Section, pages 22042205. Running times are those furnished by the distributor. AL TRACE'S COMEDY BAND |Col) Film Vodvil No. 2 (6952) The three vaudeville acts which make up the second issue of Film Vodvil include performing dogs, a topical tap dance and a musical skit featuring Al Trace. The dogs are Hector and His Pups with the usual run of tricks. Francis Irwin dances in a number called "The U.S.A. by Day and the RAF by Night." Trace's Silly Symphonists come in for a comedy act putting "Uncle Tom's Cabin" into verse. Release date, October 27, 1944 U minutes A KNIGHT AND A BLONDE (Col.) Hugh Herbert (6409) Herbert is still having trouble vath his wife. They put up at the hotel where her brother and his wife are staying. The wife is a beautiful blonde number who is unfortunately addicted to sleep-walking. Herbert's spouse thinks this just another alibi, but changes lier mind when Hugh substitutes the porter for the lady. Herbert doesn't come out so well in this either. Release date, November 17, 1944 14 minutes I AM AN AMERICAN (WB) Featurette (1101) This two-reel feature telescopes a century of history in 17 minutes, following the course of a family of Polish immigrants through four wars and five generations. The message of understanding and brotherhood is culminated in a speech by Dennis Morgan at an I Am an American Day celebration at which the Poles, now scientists, judges and priests, serve as inspiration and example for the newly-made citizens. Release date, December 26, 1944 17 minutes HE FORGOT TO REMEMBER (RKO) Leon Errol (53,702) Found out by his wife, who had suspected the fishing trip, Errol decides to feign amnesia. His wife calls a doctor, whose nervous tic fools Leon into thinking he has found a friend. But the cure prescribed is no friendly one. A young lady is produced who announces that Leon married her while he still remembered, and Mrs. Errol plays along. There is a threatened suicide and murder charge before the Missus loses her patience and breaks a pitcher over his head. Result — amnesia. Release date, October 27, 1944 17 minutes A FRIEND FOR SUPPER National Film Board of Canada This is another of the educational reels designed by the National Film Board of Canada for classroom use and available non-theatrically on 16mm. The subject is the importance of food in today's battles in terms which would appeal to school children. Examples of the great need in European countries are followed by the lesson that careful use of food here will make more available in countries whose normal supply has been wrecked by war. 10 minutes JOBS ARER THE WAR (Newsreel Dist.) Business Survey The Committee for Economic Development, a group of businessmen organized to study post-war problems, supplied the material for a presentation of American business men and their plans for production and employment after the war. They range from a manufacturer in Michigan who 2206 promises 9,000 more jobs, to a small retailer in Ohio who sees eight more. A group of business men in Richmond, Va., have set up their own organization for aiding returning servicemen to set up their own businesses. The subject is available for groups and theatres through Newsreel Distributors. 7j/2 minutes HEDGE HOPPERS (Co!.) Sports Reel (6802) This is a horse racing reel with the emphasis on jumpers. Starting in the Kentucky home grounds where colts and fillies are shown going through their paces, the camera switches to a Long Island estate where horses arc trained for the steeplechase. The results of precise grooming are shown in the final sequence at a steeplechase race in Belmont Park. Release date, October 20, 1944 9 minutes 57.000 NAZIS IN MOSCOW (Artkino) War Short The Nazis in Moscow are prisoners captured in three battles on the Eastern front. They are shown as they are led through the streets of the city while cheering crowds look on. Among their number appears every rank from private to general. The prisoners, who have been responsible for the death of a great number of Russian civilians as well as soldiers, are herded into prison camps at the close. 10 minutes COMMUNITY SING. NO. 3 (Col.) 6653 For the latest issue of Community Sing, the musical reel in which the audience joins, the top tune is a natural. The vocal exhibitionists have in "Swingin' on a Star" several amusing verses, with a short repeated chorus for the more timid to come in. And the Bing Crosby imitators can go to it. Del Baker is at the organ. Release date, November 10, 1944 10 minutes "WAY AHEAD" POSTPONED; WARNERS DROP REISSUE "The Way Ahead", the British import scheduled for release In November by Twentieth CenturyFox, along with "Laura" and "Something for the Boys", is no longer included In that block. The film, which was produced by Two Cities and directed by Carol Reed, should be released early in 1945, according to present plans. Lt. Col. David NIven is the star. Warner Bros, annnounced that plans for reissuing "Strawberry Blonde", the James Cagney-Ollvia de Havilland film scheduled for release on December 2, 1944, have been cancelled. The picture may be available to theatres but without the promotional attention accorded reissues incorporated into the company's release schedule. The company, which released 16 reissues in the 1943-44 product season, has not yet included any In its 1944-45 schedule. ROOTIN'. TOOTIN' BAND (Col.) Film Vodvil No. 3 (6953) The headhner in this variety show is Ed Durlacher and his Top Hands, a band of hillbillys playing for a square dance. The rest of the bill includes a rope-jumping juggler, Whitey Roberts, as well as two singing acts. 'The first of these is a trio of cowgirls, the Clawson Triplets, singing "He's a Tall Texan," and the second a master of boogie-woogie, Harry Gibson, giving vocal and piano attention to "Stop That Dancing Up There." Release date, December 8, 1944 10>2 minutes A LADY FIGHTS BACK (MGM) Passing Parade (K-574) The Lady is that French queen of the luxury liners, the Normandie, whose history since the war has been much like that of her home land. The film shows her triumphant arrival here in 1935 followed within a few years by her immobility in a New York port and final seizure by the U. S. Government. After this came, of course, the fire, the many months under water and the heroic job of salvaging. She will be refitted once more for new but undisclosed service. Release date, November 11, 1944 10 minutes' LABOR FRONT (Brandon Films) National Film Board of Canada Also available on 16mm for non-theatrical distribution, this presents an over-all picture of the manpower at the call of the United Nations. They are shown at work in the factories and shipyards turning out weapons of war. But they are pictured also as concerned about their future in a post-war world. 10 minutes CHRISTMAS CAROLS (Col.) Community Sing (5657) For the holiday season Columbia is reissuing its group of Christmas carols. The traditional songs, led by "Silent Night" and including most of the favorites of many years' standing, are flashed on the screen while the organ plays tlie familiar melodies. Release date, December 8, 1944 10 minutes A WOLFS TALE {20th-Fox) Terry toon (5505) This is the wolf's side of the story. It seems it was all a mistake about Little Red Riding Hood and Grandma. Under the cops' third degree he protests that he had the best of intentions, that he was just helping the little one with her deliveries but found an irate Grandma waiting for him at the door. He was framed. The cops take his story under advisement and let him out on parole on a promise to go straight. Release date, October 27, 1944 6 minutes OPEN SEASON FOR SAPS (Col.) Shemp Howard (6427) Shemp Howard has decided to make it all up to the Little Woman by a vacation trip. He forswears late nights at the lodge and promises to devote himself to her entertainment. But a lodge brother turns up waving the fraternal distress signal. He's being blackmailed for some mdiscreet letters to a former girl friend. The long-sufTering wife has had enough— particularly after the fracas becomes a duel with swords— and chooses a weapon of her own. Shemp and his lodge brother end up draped in custard pies. Release date, October 27, 1944 18 minutes PRODUCT DIGEST SECTION. DECEMBER 2, 1944