Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

May l.\ /'^^y S 1 1 ( ) W M !•: N ' S 'I' R A 1 ) I'". R !•", V I I'. W night. There are a few scattered parts where Hope gets lines that register and he works hard all the way. Musically, "The Lady's In Love With You" is hit material; and there are a few brief moments when Krupa's famous drum chant actually raises the house to enthusiasm. Bernard Nedell, as a human heavy, really gets the best break from the writers and handles his role well. Una Merkel and Rufe Davis are wasted on practically bit parts. Popularity of Hope with air fans and Krupa with the dancers offer the only exploitation angles. Stage a dance band contest on your stage. There are many ways to use the title in tieups with merchants. OUTSTANDING: Bob Hope's valiant effort to sell weak material. Catclilinc: "Tlie fastest climbing leaders of radio and the dance band field in a musical coniedy," (FAMILY) For Love or Money { H ollyz'.'ood Prcz'icic) Univ. Comedy-Drama 65 mins. Lack Of Marquee Names No Deterrent To Fast Moving, Smartly Scripted Comedy (National Release Date, May 5) Cast: June Lang, Robert Kent, Cora Witherspoon, Etienne Girardot, Edward Brophy, Richard Lane and others. Screenplay by Charles Grayson and Arthur T. Herman from an original story by Daniel Taradash, Julian Blaustein and Bernard Feins. Directed by Albert S. Rogell. Produced by Max Golden. Plot: Kent and Brophy work for Lane, a big shot bookie. After collecting a $50,000 bet, Kent (to forestall an attempt to hijack the money) has Brophy stop at an addressing and mailing office to mail the cash to Lane. Brophy becomes confused, and sends Lane an empty envelope while the money goes out to someone on a huge advertising mailing list. Lane accuses the pair of keeping the money, gives them 36 hours to produce it, or else. Kent finally locates June Lang, who got the funds and find she has spent all but $8,000. Their efforts to raise the cash in time provide a series of complications, involving an eccentric millionaire. Lang finally recovers it just in time to save Kent's life for herself. SUMMARY: Well paced throughout, particularly in the comedy sequences, this picture should prove a good supporting film since it has every requirement except marquee names. Clever dialogue and smart direction more than offset this. The funniest gag has been built around an auto horn which sounds like Sousa's band, which offers a smart and effective tieup with accessory firms. Plan a contest on "What would you do if you got $50,000 in the mail?". Carry teaser ads on "Which would you take — love or money?" OUTSTANDING: Brophy and Girardot for acting; Grayson and Horman on dialog. Catchline: "$50,000 or the man she loves —which?" (FAMILY) Rangle River J. H. Hoffberg Drama 72 mins. Zane Grey Adventure Story Makes Good Outdoor Romance Of The Action Variety (National Release Date, May 13) Cast: Victor Jory, Margaret Dare. Robert Coote, George Bryant and others. Story by Zane Grey. Directed by Clarence Badger. Plot: Locale is Australia with action concerning the villainy of a rancher in di "Tumbleweeds" (AstorReissue) Terrific — overworked word, but it's the only way to describe the prologue in which William S. Hart speaks tor the first time from the screen to introduce this reissue of a picture he made in 1925. The former king of screen cowboys, garbed in cowboy duds is photographed on his ranch as he describes the story of Tumbleweeds" and relates his own emotions as he looks back on his career. His is a rich and resonant voice, and his a great talent tor gripping, punchy delivery. We'll wager every spectator will sit tense as the star, now well on in years, tells his story — a story as tense, as rousing to the emotions as any dramatic scene the films have offered. As to "Tumbleweeds" the reissued film, it is a picture that if properly exploited can be made to mean much as an attraction, appealing alike to old-timers and the younger people who know Hart only by reputation. It is interesting and amusing as an example of story telling and acting in a screen technique now outmoded, and its action climax, with homesteaders dashing into the newly opened Cherokee strip, is a stunning example of breathless, suspenseful, headlong screen dynamics, comparable in its thrills tD action films of today. verting water from the ranch of George Bryant, whose foreman, Victor Jory, has induced Bryant's daughter to return home and cease spending money on frivolous travels while her dad's business is threatened. The girl returns, and after many misunderstandings Jory and the girl fall in love. Meantime the villainous rancher, fearful of discovery, blows up the dam built to divert water from the Bryant ranch and the flood threatens the lives of both in an action climax. But there is a happy ending as all are rescued. SUMMARY: Zane Grey usually supplies the elements of considerable appeal in these adventure stories, and this is no exception. It is typical cowboy or western romantic drama with an Australian locale and a competent company of British players supporting Victor Jory. The camera work and scenic values of the film, which presents sweeping views of cattle round-ups, are important contributions to the interest. On the whole an entertaining picture up to the standard of the better westerns from Hollywood and well directed by Clarence Badger. Exploit it as a Zane Grey adventure story written in his best style and produced with all the vigor and realism that make this author so popular; displays of Australian bullwhips in lobby will create interest. Catchline: "A drama of love and adventure in Australia's wide open spaces." (FAMILY) Boy Friend (HoUyzvood Previezv) 20th-Fox Melodrama 70 mins. Fastest And Most Exciting Jane Withers Vehicle Is Bound To Please All Her Fans (National Release Date, May 19) Cast: Jane Withers, Arleen Whelan, Richard Bond, Warren Hymer, Douglas l^istincttvie colors! for every requirement — in MOTION PICTURE TICKETS Highest Quality Right Prices KELLER-ANSELL TICKET CO. Suite 608, 723 7th Ave., N.Y.C. Bryant 9-7532 l'"()wlcy, George Ernest and others. .Screenplay by Joseph Hoffman and Barry Trivers, from a story by Lester ZifTren and Louis Moore. Directed by James Tinling. Associate Producer, John Stone. Plot: Richard Bond, a rookie school cop unknown to his sister, Jane Withers and liis sweetheart Arleen Whelan, is doing undercover work for Police Chief Minor Watson, father of Arleen, to get evidence against gangster Douglas Fowley and his mob. Through the aid of rookie Warren Hymer and a slain rookie cop's brother, George Ernest, on whom Jane gets her first crush, the gang is captured after an automobile chase. SUMMARY: This should prove to be the best all around Jane Withers starrer to date, and with plenty of new fans to follow her already big crowd of old ones she should maintain her position as one of the first ten box office stars. It should draw alone in some spots and easily hold its own as top of a dual bill in others. Given a fine screenplay, excellent support and snappy direction the fast maturing Miss Withers sings, dances, makes love and comics all through the picture. George Ernest, as her "love vis-a-vis," gets his best part to date and Warren Hymer never gathered more laughs in any of his previous efforts. James Tinling rates a hand for his direction especially for the automobile chase finale and also John Stone for the fine production values. Get local police to cooperate and if there happens to be a police school or Military Academy in town get their help to ballyhoo. Dress theatre staff in police outfits. OUTSTANDING: Jane Withers' and Warren Hymer's acting. Catchline: "A little miss who knew all the answers before her elders." (FAMILY) Boys' Reformatory Mono. Drama 61 mins. Gangster Story Should Please Weekeild Action Fans; Needs Extra Feature Support (National Release Date, May 1) Cast: Frankie Darro, Grant Withers, David Durand, Warren McCollun, Albert Hill, Jr, Bob McClung, George Offerman, Jr., Frank Coghlan, Jr., Ben Welden, others. Screenplay by Ray Trampe and Wellyn Totman. Original story by Ray Trampe and Norman S. Hill. Directed by Howard Bretherton. Associate Producer, Lindsley Parsons. Plot: Because Coghlan's mother has been like a mother to him, and because Coghlan promises to go straight, Darro takes the rap for a crime committed by his friend. Later, Coghlan joins Darro in prison and notifies him that he has been framed. They work out a plan to get the guilty party, and put it into effect. Eventually cleared, both are freed and return home to a celebration in their honor. SUMMARY: "Oh, so you're gonna quit, eh? Oh no, you're not. You're in on this and you're gonna stay, see?" Where have we heard that dialogue before? It's typical of the gangster lingo to be heard in almost any cops and robbers melodrama. In fact, there are so many "see?'s" in "Boys' Reformatory" we ceased counting them. And yet, it's a pretty good drama for the Saturday afternoon trade, because there's just enough gunplay, pursuits and excitement to please those who make up the week-end theatre-going crowd. However, it's not strong enough to stand alone, see? Unfortunately, no acting honors can be conferred on any of the players, most of whom have a tendency to overact, see? Frankie Darro (Continued on page 24) For Additional Exploitation Ideas on These Pictures Consult the Encyclopedia of Exploitation — See Page 17