Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

Page 22 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW April 8, 1939 ^Jmt ® I Am Not Afraid (Continued from page 17) and leads the police to the rescue of the bov. SUMMARY: Here's a capable program offering that should hold its own on any dual bill. Although the story is a bit dated, having been done before, this new remake is modernized by a plot that recalls the recent bombing of a graft investigator in Los Angeles, which received nationwide newspaper headlines. Charley Grapewin, in a made-to-order role, heads a very competent cast of fine performers. Crane Wilbur, making his feature directorial debut, pioves his ability to handle feature productions of greater scope. Old newspaper headlines, connected with graft and corruption should The six winners in MGM's "Marie Antoinette" contest, including two theatre managers and four patrons, whose prizes will be all-expense round trips to France, were announced this week by Howard Dietz, Director of advertising and publicity for MGM. Over ten thousand entries were submitted from throughout the United States and Canada. The theatre men, selected for their campaigns on the film, are Frank Weatherford, of the Worth Theatre of the Interstate Circuit, Ft. Worth, Texas, and Ray Bell, of Loew's Theatre, Washington, D. C. The winning moviegoers, who submitted the best 300-word essay on the subject, "Why I should Like to Visit the Country of Marie Antoinette", are Miss Mary M. Canak, be used for lobby dress-up. Law enforcement and civic organizations will cooperate if contacted previous to the showing of the picture. An old gentleman in a veteran's uniform, playing a harmonica, can be used for street ballyhoo. OUTSTANDING: Crane Wilbur's direction. Catchline: "A one-man crusade against crime, in the Teddv Roosevelt manner". (FAMILY) The Night Riders Republic Western 58 mins. Mesquiteers Score Again With Western Abounding In Suspense And Excitement (National Release Date, April 12) Cast: John Wayne, Ray Corrigan, Max Terhune, Doreen McKay, Ruth Rogers, George Douglas, Tom Tyler, Kermit Maynard, Sammy McKim, Walter Wills, others. Original screenplay by Betty Burbridge and Stanlejr Roberts based on characters created Mount Mary College, Milwaukee, Wise; Miss Helen Virginia King, Denver, Colo.; Miss Effie Burkhalter, Amarillo, Tex., and Mrs. Helen Szold, Chicago, 111. The six winners will sail from New York on the Normandie, on May 3. Final decision was reached after a series of meetings at the Hotel Astor by a board of five judges, including Count Henri d'Ornano, director of the French Government Tourist Bureau of the Republique Francaise; Edward F. Knight, director of publicity for the French Line; William Lewin, Department of Secondary Education of the National Education Ass'n.; David Blum, of MGM's International Department, and William R. Ferguson, manager of exploitation for MGM. Sends Out Live Turtles Pearce Parkhurst, manager of the State Theatre, Torpngton, Conn., got some small live turtles, painted the name of his attraction and the title on them and sent them out to a selected mailing list. It was a sure way of attracting attention. Of course, because of the expense, he limited his mailing list to a few select people, but the gag was a good one. by William Colt MacDonald. Directed by George Sherman. Associate Producer, William Berke. Plot: Douglas, a crooked gambler, is thrown from the Sacramento River boat after being caught cheating at cards. The Mesquiteers are on the boat. Later, Douglas finds refuge with Wills, former engraver of the U. S. mint. Wills has prepared a spurious land grant, supposedly issued by King Phillip of Spain, to Don Luis de Serrano in 1744. It gives de Serrano sole ownership to 13 million acres of fictitious western land. Douglas is induced to assume the role of de Serrano, present the grant to the Government, and claim the land. He does this, and once in control, oppresses the people. The Mesquiteers are driven from their ranch, but become masked night riders to help the cause of the ranchers. They "work themselves in" with Douglas, discover he is an imposter, and after a series of anti-climaxes compel him, along with Wills, to sign a confession. SUMMARY: The Mesquiteers have scored again. This trio seems to get the cream of western stories, and their latest has been suspensefully and excitingly whipped up. Even Aunt Agatha, who has a positive aversion for outdoor thrillers, will find herself all wrapped up in the situations in this film as securely as little Willie. Wayne, Corrigan (the right-way one) and Terhune are as brave, reckless and carefree during their most dangerous moments as any heroes of fiction, and they make their performances believable. George Douglas is a suave villain, and Doreen McKay and Ruth Rogers furnish ample femininity to the proceedings. Of course, there may be a flaw or two, but whoever dares make issue of the fact that time marches backward according to the dates on the newspapers in an old boner-picker. If your program requires thrills, action and excitement in a picture with a plot away from the usual western formula, then this should fit the requirements perfectly. From the stills, you should be able to get the details for creating masked costumes like those worn by the Mesquiteers, and have three men wearing them ride through the business district. Place the word, "Los Capaqueros" in your advance ad, and offer free tickets to the first ten people who call you and give its meaning. OUTSTANDING: The plot and production treatment. Catchline: "They rode through the night to protect the ranchers from tyranny." (FAMILY) Cunard Ship Liner is Chicago Ballyhoo for RKO's "Love Affair" Due to part of the action of "Love Affair" taking place on a Cunard liner, the Chicago office of the Cunard White Star Lines loaned a 7-foot model of the Queen Mary for a ballyhoo for the lobby of the Palace Theatre in that city. With it there was used a silver silk cloth background which, under a spotlight, gave a wave effect. This attracted thousands of patrons. The Cunard Line also devoted a window at 346 Michigan Boulevard to the show. It is estimated that 150,000 people pass and look into tliis window daily. Planning "Streets of New York" Campaign Gathered at New York Tavern following screening of Monogram's "Streets of Nezv York" starring Jackie Cooper are left to right standing: Charles Panzer, Leon Frornkess, George Burroughs, Edward Van Pelt, William Moses, Ben Welansky, Mark Goldman, Edzmrd Golden, Norton Ritchey, John Harrington. Seated left to right Joe Felder, Benjamin Schwartz, Lou Lifton, Harry Bachman, Sidney Kulick, Sam Rosen, Steve Broidy, Lloyd Lind, Jerome Brandt, George West, ILarry Berk son. Frank Weatherford and Ray Bell Win In MGM's "Marie Antoinette" Contest