Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

.l/,;v 6. 1939 S ir () VV M K N ' S A I) 1-: R I'. V 1 r<: w Page 25 Captain Fury UA ( //i'//v.\'ii()(/ I'rcviczv) Drama 92 mins. Thrilling Action Drama with Fine Cast and Plenty of Comedy; Is Sure to Please (National Release Date, May 2b) Cast: Brian Aherne, Victor McLaglen, June Lang, John Carradine, Paul Lukas, George Zucco, Douglas Dumbrille, Virginia Field, Charles Middleton, Lawrence Grossmith, Lumsden Hare, others. Screenplay by Grover Jones, Jack Jevne and William DeMille. Produced and directed by Hal Roach. Plot: Zucco rules a vast territory in Australia with an iron hand, and controls the wool industry, even going so far as to rustle sheep. His guards oust the nearby settlers by raiding their gardens, killing their livestock and burning their homes. Among the prisoners arriving on a recent boat and immediately assigned to Zucco's compound is Aherne, along with A'IcLaglen, Carradine and others. He becomes the leader of the prisoners. Mergon, a Zucco henchman, is burned to death ; but the settlers believe it is Lukas, father of June Lang. They accuse Aherne of the murder and he is put on trial. Lukas, however, is discovered imprisoned by Zucco, and Aherne is released. SUMMARY: Action fans will relish this Robin Hood tale of early Australia. Loaded with thrills, fast riding and plenty of comedy, it contains all the time-honored ingredients necessary to amuse and entertain audiences interested in the good old-fashioned outdoor melodrama. They'll enjoy the two top stars, Victor McLaglen and Brian Aherne. McLaglen, because of his fine portrayal of a rough and hilarious kleptomaniac and Aherne for the splendid way he handles his role. John Carradine, George Zucco, Douglas Dumbrille and June Lang all contribute noteworthy performances. This is the first picture Hal Roach has directed in five years, and he proves he hasn't forgotten what it takes to please at the box office. For street ballyhoo have man with ten-gallon hat, ride a horse around town with sign "I am Captain Fury." Canvas bag with coins could be displayed in lobby, offering prize to the one guessing the amount contained therein. Natives of Australia living in your community could be given complimentary ticket of admission. OUTSTANDING: Brian Aherne and Victor McLaglen. Catchline: "The Robin Hood of earlv Australian history." CFAMILY) Rose of Washington Square (Hollywood Previezi') 20th-Fox Musical-Drama 86 mins. Mass Appeal To Perfection Entertainment Fills Bill As A Showman's Delight (National Release Date, May 12) Cast: Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, Al Jolson, William Frawley, Joyce Compton, Hobart Cavanaugh, Moroni Olsen, E. E. Clive, Louis Prima, Charles Wilson, Ben Welden, Horace MacMahon, Paul Stanton, Maurice Cass, Bert Roach, others. Associate Producer and Screenplay by Nunnally Johnson, based on a story LEGION OF DECENCY RATINGS: (For Week Ending May 6) SUITABLE FOR GENERAL PATRONAGE Fixer Dugan Sorority House Romance of the Redwoods Code of the Secret Service SUITABLE FOR ADULTS ONLY Wanted by Scotland Yard Outside These Walls Boys Reformatory Stolen Life by John Larkin and Jerry Horwin. Directed by Gregory Ratoff. Plot: Jolson works in a cheap burlesque house, at the same time trying to help Alice Faye land a theatrical contract. The two work out an act together, but their attempts to interest theatrical agents fail. Rose goes to a small hotel away from New York. There she meets Power, and the two fall in love. Power is involved in a confidence game, but skips out before Alice discovers the kind of man he really is. Meanwhile, Jolson signs up at the Winter Garden as a solo act, and with the help of a stooge, Cavanaugh, goes over big. Alice returns to New York as an entertainer in a speakeasy. Power comes there with two suckers he expects to fleece, but learning the place will be raided, goes to Alice's rescue. Learning of Power's character, Jolson later beats him up, but Alice sticks by him. Reforming, Power returns the money he had gained illegitimately. He gets into more trouble, and is sentenced to prison. He takes on new life when he learns Alice still loves him and will wait. SUMMARY: If you've looking for mass appeal entertainment this tuneful cavalcade should fill the bill to perfection. With three dominant names for the marquee and a powerful story well acted and directed. Twentieth Century-Fox again comes through with a showman's delight. Al Jolson and Alice Faye sing a score of outstanding song hits of yesteryear that will thrill young and old and Tyrone Power handles an unsympathetic role with such marked ability that it will not only satisfy his host of fans but will add many new ones. William Frawley and Joyce Compton head a competent supporting cast. Gregory Ratoff does an inspired job of direction with an eye toward showmanship values. Arrange with auto dealers to stage a parade of cars of old vintage bearing banners and blondes who throw out small paper roses tabbed with the name of the picture and your playdate. On the order of "Poppy Day," you might arrange a "Rose Day" for charity. Use a public address system for playing the hit songs. Use giant blowups of Power, Miss Faye and Jolson. OUTSTANDING: Gregory Ratoff's direction. Catchline : "The Great White Way when Broadway was Broadway." (FAMILY) It s A Wonderful World MCM Mystery-Comedy 86 mins. You'll Agree It Is When You Hear Your Patrons Guffawing at This Grand Comedy (National Release Date, May 19) Cast: Claudette Colbert, James Stewart, Guy Kibbee, Nat Pendleton, Frances Drake, Edgar Kennedy, Ernest Truex, Richard Carle, Sidney Blackmer, Andy Clyde, others. Screenplay by Ben Hecht, based on an original story by Ben Hecht and Herman J. Mankiewicz. Directed by W. S. Van Dyke, II. Produced by Frank Davis. Plot: Stewart, a private detective, has the job of keeping millionaire playboy Truex out of trouble. Truex is framed on a murder charge, trumped up by Frances Drake and Blackmer so that they'll get Truex's money after he is convicted and put to death in the electric chair. Stewart keeps Truex under cover, but is discovered, and sentenced to prison for conspiracy. He escapes and meets Claudette. At first she's always in his way as he tries to find another man marked for death by Blackmer, but eventually she becomes of great assistance to him. Finally, at a summer stock theatre, Stewart solves the mystery with the aid of Claudette, and playboy Truex is saved. SUMMARY: Overflowing with hilarious situations, smart lines and top-notch performances by Miss Colbert and Stewart, this is a film you'll be happy to serve your patrons as a grand Springtime tonic. Although it's on the mystery side, the plot is so different from the ordinary mystery, and the production and direction is of such calibre that "It's a Wonderful World" can be placed at the top of your preferred date list. Claudette Colbert, besides seeming lovelier than ever, has the kind of role audiences like to see her play. James Stewart is excruciatingly funny, especially when he adopts a Scout uniform and thick-lensed spectacles to elude his pursuers. Additional laughs are provoked by Guy Kibbee, Nat Pendleton and Edgar Kennedy. This is just the kind of picture about which your patrons will enthuse to their friends. Don't hesitate to give it the gun by means of a big promotional campaign. Sell Colbert and Stewart as a lovable, laughable pair of sleuths. With the title as the basis, you should find it comparatively simple to promote a cooperative ad page from local merchants. In all probability there will be plenty of tie-up stills available for your use when the film is released. OUTSTANDING: Claudette Colbert and James Stewart. Catchline: "Here's the sprightliest Springtime mystery-comedy that ever made you say 'It's wonderful'." (FAMILY) Blue Montana Skies Republic Western 56 mins. Gene Gets His Man in the Northwest, And Action Fans Get Lively Film Fare (National Release Date, May 4) Cast: Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, June Storey, Harry Woods, Tully Marshall, Al Bridge, Glenn Strange, Dorothy Granger, (Continued on page 40) For Additional Exploitation Ideas on These Pictures Consult Encyclopedia of Exploitation — See Back Cover