Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1937)

MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST 53 H HARLEM ON THE PRAIRIE. Associated features 55min D 9 '37 Cast: Herbert Jeffries. F. E. Miller. Mantan Moreland. Connie Harris. Maceo B. Sheffield Director: Sam Newfield Music director: Lew Porter Screen writer: Fred Myton Filmed with an all-Negro cast. A western melodrama. Newspaper and Magazine Reviews " 'Harlem on the Prairie' was designed to play as many as possible of the 800 Negro "theatres currently operating in the U.S. It 'is in no sense a burlesque. . . If the cast kidded the plot the effect would have been tragic, but they play it straight, with frequently hilarious results. In Negro theatres it will be a conventional Western, and it can play the artier white houses as a parody. Best parts of the picture are the tunes." -| Time p24 D 13 '37 Trade Paper Reviews "Through sheer novelty alone this all-Negro Western will attract considerable attention and comment wherever shown, plus the fact that it will be surefire in theatres catering to the colored population. Family." + Boxoffice p23 D 11 '37 -f Motion Pict Daily p5 N 24 '37 "Selling point is its distinctive novelty. Comedy and music both well calculated to entertain audiences, are played against fast riding-shooting action of the standard Western. . . Picture is made for the established western market, with the rootin', tootin' action designed to win the youngsters and the music expected to appeal to elders of the neighborhood trade." + Variety (Hollywood) p3 N 22 '37 HEADIN' EAST. Columbia 60min D 13 '37 Cast: Buck Jones. Ruth Coleman. Shemp Howard. Donald Douglas Director: Ewing Scott Music director: Edward Kilenyi Original story: Joseph Hoffman. Monroe Shaff Screen writer: Ethel La Blanche A western melodrama. his large fan following; prove a riot with the juvenile audiences and serve with general satisfaction in the exhibition niche at which it is aimed. Family." + Boxoffice pl9 D 4 '37 "Using a western formula in a layout that has to do with racketeering in produce makes this a slam-bang action number. . . A group of children figures in subduing the outlaws, and their work should do a lot in putting the picture over with the younger generation." + Film Daily p3 N 27 '37 + Motion Pict Daily p6 D 3 '37 "Despite the triteness of the theme. . . Buck Jones again plays another of those he-man, neversaydie roles that have won him a host of fans especially among the younger element. This group will be perfectly satisfied with this Jones action picture and it should do well generally in the territories." + Variety (Hollywood) p3 N 24 '37 HEART OF THE ROCKIES. Republic 58min S 6 '37 Cast: Robert Livingston. Ray Corrigan. Max Terhune Director: Joseph Kane Original story: Bernard McConville Screen writers: Jack Natteford. Oliver Drake "The Three Mesquiteers get into trouble with the Rangers when they hunt for cattle -killing bears in the National Park not knowing that the stepfather of their two youthful friends is responsible." Wkly Guide Audience Suitability Ratings "General patronage." Nat Legion of Decency S 9 '37 "A, Y & C: good Western." Parents' M pl04 N '37 "A refreshingly different Western, with plenty of action and no love interest. Familyjuvenile." Wkly Guide Ag 28 '37 Trade Paper Reviews "The picture rates a top spot in a top spot series, which well indicates its merit." + Phila Exhibitor pl5 S 15 '37 "For the scenery lovers, 'Heart of the Rockies' is long in that department — some excellent background footage. Keeps up to par on box office possibilities." + Variety pl9 S 22 '37 Newspaper and Magazine Reviews "Put me down as a Buck Jones fan. I never have seen him in the flesh and have seen him but once on the screen, but the once was enough to convince me that in his make-up he has the things we like in a man. . . 'Headin' East' [is] a bang-up piece of screen entertainment without a single pistol shot in it. But there is enough action in it to make a respectable showing if scattered over several square miles of Western scenery. . . Our biggest producers would do well to take a look at this picture and learn what can be done on a small budget and a brief shooting schedule." + Hollywood Spec pll D 4 '37 Trade Paper Reviews "Buck Jones is at his best in this, his second feature under the Coronet "Pictures banner. Although in theme it is a departure from the usual Jones-type picture, it is certain to please HEIDI. 20th century-Fox 85min O 15 '37 Cast: Shirley Temple. Jean Hersholt. Arthur Treacher. Helen Westley. Mady Christians. Marcia Mae Jones Director: Allan Dwan Dance director: Sammy Lee Music director: Louis Silvers Screen writers: Walter Ferris. Julien Jo sephson Songs: Lew Pollack. Sidney Mitchell Based on the novel of same title by Johanna Spyri. "Shirley, an orphan, is left with her grandfather, Jean Hersholt, who lives in the [Tyrolean Alps]. She is making him very happy when her aunt kidnaps and sells her in Frankfort for a companion to the sweet but crippled Marcia Mae Jones. The two girls get along fine but Shirley always wants -f + Exceptionally Good; + Good; -{ Fair; — + Mediocre; —Poor; Exceptionally Poor