The Movies ... and the People Who Make Them (1939)

"The MOVIES ■ » » ■ 1939 n (Running time, 60 minutes) It's an ingenious though complicated case which the scenarists have concocted this time for reporter Barney Callahan and his flashbulb buddy. Snapper Doolan. But Barney, as much or more a sleuth than a newshound, strides through the mystery with nonchalant ease. His city editor thinks it a suicide when an insurance detective investigating some bond messenger murders is found dead, but Barney makes his paper play it as a murder and while trying to prove his story is involved himself in a new barrage of deaths and robberies and practical jokes which look like both. At least two jumps ahead of the police and the rival reporters, he breaks the case for another of his miraculous scoops. Michael Whalen's Barney is a credible reporter, more gentlemanly than most of the movie samples. Chick Chandler is again his irrepressible cameraman. Jean Rogers is an attractive heart interest, Joan Woodburry a ditto gangster's moll and Harold Huber contributes another of his eccentric villains. THANKS FOR EVERYTHING: Produced and distributed by 20th Century-Fox Director: William A. Seiter Screenplay: Harry Tugend Story: Gilbert Wright Songs: Mack Gordon and Harry Revel Photography: Lucien Andriot Art Directors: Bernard Herzbrun, Mark-Lee Kirk J. B. Harcourt Adolphe Menjou Bates Jack Oakie Henry Smith Jack Haley Madge Raines Arleen Whelan Tommy Davis Tony Martin Kay Swift Binnie Barnes Joe Raines George Barbier Marine Sergeant Warren Hymer Ambassador Gregory Gaye Mayor Andrew Tombes Mrs. Sweeney Renie Riano Miss Twitchell Jan Duggan Dr. Olson Charles Lane Draft Doctor Charles Trowbridge Lem Slininger Frank Sully Announcer Gary Breckner Guard Paul Hurst Policemen James Flavin, Ed Dearing Merry and amusing comedy-satire with music, presenting Jack Haley as an Average Man exploited as a human pig by a pair of high-powered promoters. (Adults 8C Young People) (Running time, 70 minutes) Lightly written, briskly played, genial even in its satire, Thanks for Everything is an enjoyable exposition of a novel farce idea. Guidance, Inc., an advertising outfit which advises manufacturers what to manufacture and is run by a high-pressure pair named Harcourt and Bates, conducts a contest to uncover "Mister Average Man.” He turns out to be one Henry Smith, grocery clerk from Plainville, Mo., the universal little man, a walking national strawvote. Harcourt and Bates recognize genius when they see it — the opinions of this Henry Smith are at least the equal of extensive statiscal surveys. All they need do is to keep him insulated against any change from mediocrity and sell his reactions to food, clothes, cigarettes, etc. to their customers. His predictions are perfect and the selling is easy — but the insulation is not quite so simple. If he gets his prize money, he will no longer be an average man, he will be a rich man. His romance with the hometown girl adds its difficulties and the plot, complicated but richly comic, skips merrily along to a boisterous climax. The “guinea pig" experiments are edged with satire and always funny, in particular the strenuous attempt of the promoters to convince Henry that the United States is being invaded that they may sell him attitude towards war to a foreign power, jack Haley proves himself a grand comedian as average Henry, makes the preposterous story both appealing and amusing with his shy, whimsical clowning. Adolphe Menjou and Jack Oakie play the promoters for maximum sport. Tony Martin helps with the music and Arleen Whelan does little more than look lovely as Henry's hometown Madge. LONG SHOT: Produced by Franklyn Warner for Grand National Director: Charles Lamont Screenplay: George Adamson Story: Harry Beresford, George Callaghan Photography: Arthur Martinelli Art Director: Ralph Berger Jeff Clayton Gordon Jones Martha Sharon Marsha Hunt Lew Ralston C. Henry Gordon Dell Baker George Meeker Henry Sharon Harry Davenport Danny Welch George E. Stone Mike Claurens Tom Kennedy Henry Knox Emerson Treacy Helen Knox Gay Seabrook Doctor Jason Robards Nurse Claire Rochells Tucky James Robinson Novel racetrack melodrama in which the villain tries to force the girl into marriage by ruining her uncle, but is defeated when the last horse left from the Sharon stables gallops on, a Long Shot, to victory. (Adults & Young People) (Running time, 69 minutes) Lew Ralston, unscrupulous turfman whose proposals have been regularly rejected by Martha Sharon, is determined to have the girl on any terms and deliberately plans to ruin her uncle Henry and thus force her into marriage. Uncle Henry’s horses begin to lose races and his finances to run low. Meanwhile Jeff Clayton, friendly young racetrack rival, is injured saving Martha from a truck accident and, after turning his horses over to uncle Henry, departs for Arizona to recuperate. As what seems to be luck continues against him, uncle Henry, knowing that his niece will marry Ralston only to help him, has himself declared dead and his last remaining horse deeded to her. The stallion has been turned loose in the Arizona wilds and while tracing it, Martha again meets friend Jeff. Together they train the horse, barnstorm the smaller tracks and come up to Santa Anita for the big handicap. Villain Ralston is ready with his nefarious tricks — but true worth wins to the beat of a fast-stepping climax. Modestly made, smoothly directed, competently played. Long Shot adds up to a reliable lightweight program picture. TOUGH KID: Produced and distributed by Monogram Director: Howard Bretherton Screenplay: Welly n Totman Story: Brenda Weisberg Photography: Harry Neumann Skipper Red Ruth Katie Grogan Monk Regan Blackie Bitt Dr. Radford Krause Radio Announcer Fast, well-made, straightforward prizefight melodrama in which the challenger’s kid brother runs into danger trying to prevent his hero from throwing the big fight. (Adults & Young People) (Running time, 60 minutes) Without wasting time on special trimmings and non-essential plot material. Tough Kid jumps right into its story and keeps moving rapidly along. Fighter Red has always been the hero of his young brother Skipper and his pedestal rises higher when he battles his way to a chance at the light-heavyweight championship. But Skipper is worried about Red’s new manager and his association with gamblers Monk and Regan. The judgement is correct— the villains get Red to agree to throw the fight by faking an immediate need for cash for medical care of his sweetheart Ruth. While trying to expose the plot, young Skipper falls into the clutches of the crooks — and escapes just in time to arrive at the ring and upset movie tradition by seeing Red take his “dive.” But he has the evidence and both exoneration and romance can combine for the finish. Frankie Darro continues his good work as the Tough Kid with a kindly heart and true fraternal faithfulness. Dick Purcell looks and acts like prizefight Red and Judith Allen is a decorative girlfriend. It’s suresale action melodrama, a betterthan-average prizefight thriller. 294