Motion Picture Herald (May-Jun 1946)

SHOWMEN'S REVIEWS SHORT SUBJECTS ADVANCE SYNOPSES COMPANY CHART THE RELEASE CHART This department deals with new product from the point of view of the exhibitor who is to purvey it to his own public. Man from Rainbow Valley Republic — ^Western in Color In this offering Republic presents an unusual blend of cinema fare, combining the pounding excitement of a Western, plus the touching story of a horse and the effect its fortunes have on the lives of several people. It is the type of story that kids go for eagerly, and, a Magnacolor production, it has the advantage of beautiful scenery caught in vivid hues. With leisurely simplicity, the picture unfolds the story of Outlaw, a wild horse that looks after the mares and colts that make up its family. Also used as source material for a comic strip creation of Monte Hale, the magnificent animal enjoys a following of thousands of fans. The discordant note of commercialism enters when an unscrupulous rodeo promoter steals the animal for his show, leaving little Jo Ann Marlowe heartbroken. The attempt of Monte to regain the animal creates the dramatic moments, with pace and interest quickened as he pits himself against outlaw methods. Involved in a romantic angle is Adrian Booth, who at first helps the promoter spare the animal, then, falling in love with Monte, makes amends. Hale is a rugged, hardriding hero, with an easy manner and pleasant voice. Little Miss Marlowe is always warm and lovable. Also on hand are the Sagebrush Serenaders with a number of ballads. Robert Springsteen directed from an original screenplay by Betty Burbridge. Louis Gray was associate producer. Seen at the home office projection room. Reviewer's Rating : Good. — Mandel Herbstman. Release date. June IS, 1946. Running time, 56 min. PCA No. 11504. General audience classification. Monte Monte Hale Kay North Adrian Booth Ginny Hale Jo Ann Marlowe Ferris Taylor, Emmett Lynn, Tom London, Bud Geary, Kenne Duncan, Doye O'Dell, Bert Roach, Sagebrush Serenaders Inside Job Universal — Melodrama Preston Foster, Alan Curtis and Ann Rutherford are cast in the leading parts in this melodrama of larceny and intrigue. The screenplay by George Bricker and Jerry Warner, based on an original story by Tod Browning and Garrett Fort, is well told and sustains interest. The film is designed for the devotees of swift moving melodramas and provides an attention-getting attraction. Foster, as a suave racketeer, remembers that Curtis had a prison record and plans that he should help rob a department store. At first Curtis is unwilling, but when Foster threatens to expose him as an ex-criminal and have him discharged from his position, Curtis decides to go along. His wife, played by Ann Rutherford, assists Curtis. They doublecross Foster, but he locates the young couple and the stolen loot. Foster wounds a police lieutenant and is killed. Curtis and Miss Rutherford stay with the policeman until the doctor arrives. As a result, they are captured and sentenced to prison for grand larceny. There are several competent performances and a generous offering of melodramatic thrills. Milburn Stone and Samuel S. Hinds lend capable support. Ben Pivar was the executive producer and Jean Yarbrough produced and directed. Seen at the home office projection room. Reviewer's Rating : Average. — M.R.Y. Release date, June 28, 1946. Running time, 65 min. PCA No. 11608. General audience classification. Bart Madden Preston Foster Kddie Norton Alan Curtis Claire Gray Ann Rutherford Joe Sawyer, Joan Fulton, Milburn Stone, Jimmie Moss, Samuel S. Hinds, Howard Freeman, John Berkes, Harry Brown, Joe Kirk. Deadline for Murder 20th Century-Fox — Melodrama Sol M. Wurtzel's latest production for 20th Century-Fox release is standard melodramatic fare, with the requisite number of murders, and the usual amount of confusion. It suffers somewhat from a lack of marquee names. Of the principal players, Paul Kelly, Kent Taylor and Sheila Ryan, Kelly, as chief of the homicide squad, is most convincing. Irving Cummings, Jr., wrote both story and screenplay. It deals with the theft of a document pertaining to oilfields in Central Europe, the murders which follow fast upon the theft, and the manner in which the document is recovered, chiefly through the efforts of Kent Taylor, cast as a gambler and amateur detective. Nowhere does the story vary from formula. James Tinling directed. Seen as the studio. Reviewer's Rating: Fair. — Thalia Bell. Release date, August. 1946. Running time, 65 min. PCA No. 11617. General audience classification. McMuUen Paul Kelly Millard Kent Taylor Vivian Sheila Ryan Jerome Cowan, Renee Carson, Joan Blair, Marian Martin, Leslie Vincent, Matt McHugh, Jody Gilbert, Edward Marr, Thomas Jackson. Ttie Phantom Thief Columbia — Murder Mystery Boston Blackie invades the realm of spiritualism in his latest mystery adventure in the Columbia series. As usual, Chester Morris plays the lead as a likeable, quick-talking rogue who dabbles in sleuthing, with George E. Stone trailing along as pal and helpmate. Richard Lane also is on hand again as Inspector Farraday, and as usual, he finds Blackie the perfect suspect. The screenplay by Richard Wormser and Richard Weil has Blackie trading wits with a crafty spiritualist whose specialty is blackmail and murder mixed with the occult. Blackie, try ing to help his pal recover some jewels, gets involved in the homicidal doings with the result he finds himself saddled with the job of finding the real criminal in order to clear himself. D. Ross Lederman, as director, has given the film appropriate atmosphere, which includes such items as dancing skeletons, walking phantoms and wierd seances. Blackie shows that he knows a little about spiritualism himself, when, to unmask the murderer, he conducts a seance of his own. The film, produced by John Stone, is on a par with its predecessors. Seen at Loeisfs Lincoln Square theatre, New York, where an afternoon audience seemed diverted. Reviewer's Rating : Fair. — M. H. Release date, May 2, 1946. Running time, 65 min. PCA No. 11500. General audience classification. Boston Blackie Chester Morris Anne Duncan JeSf Doimel Inspector Farraday.. Richard Lane Dusty Anderson, George E. Stone, Frank Sully, Marvin Miller, Wilton GrafF, Murray Alper, Forbes Mur ray, Joseph Crehan. My Pal Trigger Republic — Roy and Trigger Displaying its new trademark emblem of the American eagle for the first time. Republic again presents Roy Rogers and Trigger in a wholesome, entertaining story, which instead of focusing mainly on formula skullduggery, concerns itself mostly with the devotion of a cowboy to his horse and the vicissitudes which overtake the partnership. Also on hand again are George "Gabby" Hayes, contributing his touches of awkward comedy ; Dale Evans in the feminine lead; and Jack Holt as the smooth, menacing villain. Roy finds the going pretty tough in this one, when, through conspiracy, he is accused of shooting a prize-winning horse, and has to leave town. Hardships follow in a flood. His mare. Lady, after giving birth to a colt named Trigger, is attacked by a mountain lion, and, in a touching scene, Roy is forced to shoot the horse. Then Trigger is taken away and auctioned. A number of novel plot twists are involved as the story moves to its climax, when, Roy proves his innocence and regains Trigger. Of the several musical numbers, one of the more memorable is "Old Faithful," sung by Roy as he rides out of town during a rain. Frank McDonald directed from a screenplay by Jack Townley and John K. Butler. Armand Schaefer was associate producer. Seen in the home office projection room. Reviewer's Rating: Good.— M. H. ' Release date, not set. Running time, 79 min. PCA No. 11587. General audience classification. Roy Rogers Roy Rogers Gabby Kendrick George "Gabby" Haves Susan Dale Evans Jack Holt, LeRoy Mason, Roy Barcroft. Sam Flint, Kenne Dtmcan, Ralph Sanford, Francis McDcmald, Harlan Briggs, William Haade, Alan Bridge, Paul E. Burns, Frank Reicher, Bob Nolan and The Sons of the Pioneers, and Trigger. MOTION PICTURE HERALD. JUNE 22. 1946 3053