Photoplay (Jul-Dec 1938)

Jj**~ / / HATS OFF! Let Kurlash give you a natural beauty point worth "sunning." Kurlash curls eyelashes in 30 seconds without heat or cosmetics ... so they catch rainbows — cast entrancing shadows. More light enters your eyes, making them starry bright. So hats off to Kurlash! Learn what shades of eye makeup are becoming to you — how to apply them skilfully! Send your name, address and coloring to Jane Heath, Dept. A-8; receive free — a personal color-chart and full instructions in eye make-up! I THE KURLASH COMPANY, Inc. Rochester, New York Canada: Toronto, 3 IGHT 1938. THE KURLASH CO.. High School Course at Home Many Finish in 2 Years I 9" ?s "TP'f5, as, TOnr time and abiHHes permit. Equivalent to i„ I ,",' ~' ' wort -,„,.,,:, ,,,r ,.„t, :,„,■„ ,„,.„nt.Kc. Stanrlar.l H.S I texts. BupplK-d. Diploma awar.l^.i. <r>..lit forH. S. subjects already I completed. .We fubjrct. if Haired. Fre» Bulletin on ren.fes it. ^American School. Dept. HC43, Drexel at 58th, Chicago Dll. WALTER'S .^Sv QUICK REDUCING GUM ( -If RUBBER GARMENTS I & Obtain trim, slender ankles at on^.. V; 7 Ilelieu.SMi,.||,„M.vjr,c„,eveiii5 „*' and they fit like a clove. Bust Reducers S2.2S 14 inch Special Ankle Re ducers S3. 00 pr. 14 m. Stockings. .$6.75 pr. Send ankle and calf .J measures. ^c Uplift Brassier. . .$3.2S C? Girdle (laced up C back) $4.50 * Abdominal Reducers for men and women. $3. 50 Send measures. Pay by check or money order no cash. Write for literature. Dr. Jeanne P. H. Walter 389 Fifth Ave., N. Y. MERCOLIZEMfflEAM Make your skin young looking. Flake off the stale surface skin. Reveal the clear, beautiful underskin by using Mercohzed Wax Cream regularly. Give your skin the combined benefits of cleansing clearing softening, smoothing and beautifying in every application of this single cream. Mercohzed Wax Cream brings out the hidden beauty of the skin Use Saxolite Astringent Daily THIS tingling, antiseptic astringent is delight* fully refreshing and helpful. Dissolve Saxolite in one-half pint witch hazel and apply. , Try Pnelactine Depilatory quickly removing superfluous hair from face. Ao/d at cosmetic counters everywhere. Brief Reviews • JOY OF LIVING-RKO-Radio Well dressed, well written, with Jerome Kern's pleasing score, if you like nincompoop comedies, you 11 like this. Irene Dunne is a rich actress with a family of leeches who suck her bank balance. Doug Fairbanks, Jr., is a poet with an addiction to beer and a hut in the South Seas. Doug wins! (June) JUDGE HARDY'S CHILDREN-M-G-M Here is Judge Hardy again, this time in Washington with spies in the offing. Cecilia Parker plays the daughter, Lewis Stone the crusty judge; Mickey Rooney (still one of the finest actors in Hollywood) is the adolescent son. Family entertainment.' (June) JURY'S SECRET, THE-Universal As you've probably gathered, a courtroom furnishes the background for this mild effort. When juror Kent Taylor refuses to find a prisoner guilty in the face of overwhelming evidence. Fay Wray gets busy, uncovers some monkey business. Nan Grey, Samuel Hinds and Jane Darwell complete the cast. Don't break any blood vessels getting to this. (May) • KENTUCKY Fox MOONSHINE-20th Century Those crack-pot Ritz Brothers riding the crest of their newest laugh wave pretending to be shootin', feudin hill-billies, to win a radio contract. Tony Martin is m fine voice and Marjorie Weaver looks her prettiest. Three thumping cheers. (July) • KIDNAPPED-20th Century-Fox Robert Louis Stevenson's classic story with Freddie Bartholomew matchlessly playing the Scotch laddie whose kidnapping is the climax of a political feud between Warner Baxter and C Aubrey Smith. Arleen Whelan justifies her stardom ballyhoo by turning out to be accomplished as well as beautiful. Honorable mention. (July) • LIFE DANCES ON (UN CARNET DE BAL) A. F. E. Corp. Here is fascinating adult entertainment — a French picture with English subtitles. The splendid cast headed by Harry Baur (remember him in "I Stand Condemned"?) depicts the story of a young widow in her sentimental search for the lost loves of her youth. See it if you can possibly manage. (June) LITTLE MISS THOROUGHBRED-Warners A laugh, a tear, a bit of suspense are the ingredients of this trim story of race-track lore. Little Janet Chapman (Warners' wonder chile) adopts gamblers John Litel and Frank McHugh, later brings them love and lucre. Ann Sheridan is the femininity. (July) LOVE, HONOR AND BEHAVE-Warners With the exception of Priscilla Lane's enthusiastic portrait of a modern wife's attempts to make a man of her hubby and untie the usual motherin-law knots, this picture is uninspiring. Wayne Morris is the mistaken young spouse, Mona Barrie gives a superior performance. (May) • MAD ABOUT MUSIC-Universal Don't think it is mere repetition when we say that Durbin child has done it again — because she has! Her lilting voice carries a tender story of a neglected adolescent placed in a Swiss school by a selfish actress mother. Deanna breaks the cocoon with the friendly help of Herbert Marshall, and the entire cast including Gail Patrick, Arthur Treacher, Marcia Mae Jones and Bill Frawley is splendid Fly. (May) MAID'S NIGHT OUT-RKO-Radio Unpretentious but good. You'll enjoy Allan Lane as the millionaire's son who drives a milk truck, Joan Fontaine as the society damsel he thinks is a servant. Complications to their romance are brought about by Joan's dopey mother, Hedda Hopper. There's a fight and a police chase to liven things up. (June) • MERRILY WE LIVE-Hal Roach-M-G-M Another of those mad hatter tea parties the studios have been throwing us these days — this is one of the funnier ones. It has to do with a rich giddy mother (Billie Burke) who likes to befriend tramps, daughter (Connie Bennett) who likes tramping too, Brian Aherne who plavs hobo for a day, and Alan Mowbray, the butthngest butler ever. Better go. (May) MR. MOTO'S GAMBLE-20th Century-Fox Our genial Jap detective this time turns his myopic eyes onto a murder in the prize ring, and after the usual hunt for expert double-crossers, succeeds in bringing the murderer to justice. Maxie Rosenbloom is the comedy; Dick Baldwin and Lynn Bari the S. A. (June) NURSE FROM BROOKLYN-Universal A meekly diverting variation of the old theme of virtue triumphant. Bad boy Larry Blake and good boy (New York policeman) Paul Kelly vie for the hand of pretty nursie Sally Eilers. Kelly convinces Sally that Larry is a murderer and the fade-out is what you expected all the time. (July) (Continued from page 6) OVER THE WALL-Warners Based on a story by Warden Lawes of Sing Sing tins is solid entertainment if you like social theme with your after-dinner coffee. Dick Foran is th< bully who lands in the hoosegow; John Litel th< patient chaplain; June Travis, Veda Ann Borg anc Dick Purcell help in supporting roles. (July) RASCALS-20th Century-Fox This is Jane Withers' picnic, and Jane comes through dancing, singing and clowning with flying colors. The plot has to do with Rochelle Hudson's amnesia and her kidnapping by gypsies. Robert Wilcox is her beau. Borrah Minnevitch furnishes the music with his harmonica band. (July) * REBECCA OF SUNNYBROOK FARM-20th Century-Fox Just forget you ever read the original "Rebecca" and enjoy every minute of the tantalizing Temple in the songs and dances with which she enlivens this story of radio broadcasting methods. Randy Scott and Gloria Stuart are a mild romance and Helen Westley is the sardonic owner of Sunnybrook. Shirley is delightful and Bill Robinson can't be sneezed at either. (May) * ROMANCE IN THE DARK-Paramount A sophisticated farce with definite emphasis on the musical side, this is Gladys Swarthout's best picture to date. Playing a maid in opera star John Boles' home, together they concoct a scheme to win the attention of maestro John Barrymore. Boles and Gladys sing several solos and three duets together in superb style. (May) ROMANCE ON THE RUN-Republic Here's another of those $100,000 diamond necklaces that float around in the movies. It's stolen believe it or not, and Donald Woods keeps trying to get it back. Pat Ellis manages to get Donald's mind off has work. Turn your head the other way. (July) ROSE OF THE RIO GRANDE-Monogram Movita (remember her as Franchot Tone's native love in "Mutiny on the Bounty?") is lovely looking enough to go to see, even though this is a juvenile arrangement about brigandage in Mexico years ago. Antonio Moreno is too kindly to be effective as a villain, but Lina Basquette as a jealous dancer, makes up for it. John Carroll is excellent. (June) SAILING ALONG-GB Jessie Matthews' dancing is as graceful as ever, Roland Young's wit as sly as usual and Jack Whiting s singing of the tuneful music is a joy, but despite these things, this English yarn about a barge girl who becomes an actress is not up to the usual Matthews' standards. Maybe it's spring in London or something. (June) • SAINT IN NEW YORK, THE-RKO-Radio The hero of Leslie Charteris' popular mystery thriller comes to life in the person of Louis Hayward, and a fine job he does too — wiping out a major crime wave with the help of Kay Sutton. Calculated to set your spine tingling. (July) •Ip in supporting roles. (July) PENITENTIARY-Columbia Here is a vivid commentary on convict psychology, though you might find it a bit on the somber side. When District Attorney Walter Connollv sends John Howard to jail and later attempts to help him out, he finds Howard prefers to live by a new found prison code. Jean Parker is the love interest. (May) PENROD'S DOUBLE TROUBLE-Warners Give Junior his dime and send him off to the Saturday matinee if this is around. It's the Mauch Twins again playing Junior G-men. A new twist marks the climax of their adventure. Gene and Kathleen Lockhart are Penrod's new parents (June) • PORT OF SEVEN SEAS-M-G-M An appealing and honest picture beautifully directed by James Whale (of "The Road Back"). Maureen O'Sullivan, daughter of a French grocer has a child by John Beal without benefit of clergy! When he attempts to break up her happiness with Frank Morgan, Beal's father, Wallace Beery, takes charge of the situation. Morgan and Beery have never been better. (June) • RADIO CITY REVELS-RKO-Radio Hollywood has put out another musical and this is it. There is a lot of good music, some nice dancing and no story. Kenny Baker croons, Bob Burns bazookas, Jack Oakie romps airily about, and there s a to-do about an Ozark hillbillv who composes songs in his sleep. Jane Froman and other ether favorites do their stuff. (May) RANGERS ROUNDUP, THE-Stan Laurel Production Another singing troubador of the plains rides into the public eye in this unpretentious but clever Western. Fred Scott, the warbling cowhand, shares honors with pretty Christine Mclntyre. Several good blood and thunder battles interrupt the music at times and Al St. Johns offers a few comical turns (May) Davis' awkwardness and Marjorie Weaver's charm You will laugh at Fred Allen's wit, Gregory Raton" s accent, Louise Hovick's vamping and Jimmy Durante s nosing. The songs are fun, too. (May) SINNERS IN PARADISE-Universal • iN°^ Jo,hn rBoIes is a fu8'tive living on a tropical d V, Planeful of passengers descends on him— Bruce Cabot, Madge Evans and others, and there is a Grand Hotel type of sequence cluttered with racketeers. Dopey and dull. START CHEERING-Columbia Bright as a new penny, this novel collegiate musical tells the story of a movie hero who gives up tame to attend a university. His manager, Walter (.onnolly, and Joan Perry, the dean's lovely daughter, fight to lure him back to the spotlight Gertrude Niesen sings some swellish songs. You'll like it. (May) IRENE AND MARY-20th Century • SALLY, Fox Another musical from the Zanuck mold. The slim story revolves around the ambitions of three chorines. You will love Alice Faye's singing, Joan • STOLEN HEAVEN-Paramount A very enjoyable musical crook drama. Olvmpe Bradna fully justifies the promise of her debut in Souls at Sea," and Gene Raymond, Lewis Stone Glenda Farrell and Douglas Dumbrille do well in a yarn of a band of thieves in Middle Europe who hide from the police in the house of a famous pianist. Go and hear your special Liszt and Mozart melodies played beautifully. (June) TELEPHONE OPERATOR-Monogram You'll find this a neat package of entertainment dealing with the inside doings of a metropolitan flange. Judith Allen and Alice White are the two hello girls who risk their lives when the dam breaks. Linesmen Warren Hymer and Grant Withers give Cupid something to work on. Adequate B material. (May) • TEST PILOT-M-G-M Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Myrna Loy and Lionel Barrymore (try and top that combination!) in the most thrilling picture of the month. Gable is a pilot addicted to stunts and the bottle Myrna is his wife; Spencer, his sacrificial pal. The shriekin" whine of the motorswill hum in your ears for a long time, but don't even consider missing this. (June) • THERE'S ALWAYS A WOMAN-Columbia Built along the streamlines of "The Thin Man " this is a delightfully digestible dish. Melvy'n Douglas, a private detective, and his frau. Joan Blondell, are both hired by opposite sides in a murder case. There are two fine assassinations and a lot of naughty but screamingly funny scenes of married life. Good workl (June) • THREE COMRADES-M-G-M Robert .Taylor, Franchot Tone, Robert Young and Maggie Sullavan have plenty of dramatics and tragedy to contend with here, but it doesn't faze any of them. With unusual social implications the picture tells of three youngsters banded together in business and friendship in a wasted country after the War. Orchids to this one. {June) • TOY WIFE, THE-M-G-M Another picture in the "Gone With the Wind" trend, having Academy Winner Luise Rainer playing beautifully one of those frivolous pre-Civil War maidens who brings out the dueling instinct among Southern swains. Melvyn Douglas is her husband Bob. Young, her lover, Barbara O'Neil her sister. Well done, as M-G-M's things usually are. (July) TRIP TO PARIS, A— 20th Century-Fox All the things that can happen to an average tamily in Pans including being gypped by a phoney count, happen to the Joneses, and it's all fun Jed Prouty is Pa, Spring Byington is Ma, and both otter splendid characterizations as usual. (June) UNDER WESTERN STARS-Republic A smash-bang Western introducing a new cowboy star, Roy Rogers, who sings delightfully As the son of a Congressman, he goes to Washington wangles a Federal Water project for ranches in the Dust Bowl. Barrels of fun. (July) • VIVACIOUS LADY-RKO-Radio Splendidly written, well directed, romantic and humorous without being sentimental or slapstick this is a picture worth seeing twice! Ginger Rogers lovelier than ever, is a Broadway singer who marries a small-town botany professor (Jimmie Stewart) from an ultra Puritanical family The cast is perfection and so is the picture! (July) WALKING DOWN BROADWAY-20th CenturyFox Be advised not to believe a word of this dismal pseudo-portrait of Broadway. It pictures the careers of six chorus girls, several of whom get liquidated in the vortex! Claire Trevor survives to claim Michael Whalen, but who cares? (May) WOMEN ARE LIKE THAT-Warners Poor Kay Francis certainly got a dirty deal in this. Unbelievably gauche and tiresome, it attempts to show what gals are like in love and busin£SS' r-Kay 1S the wife of a drunken advertising man (Pat O'Brien) who uses her sex appeal to help his tailing business. Maybe we'd better pretend we didn t know about it. (June)