Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

l/(;v L\ 1939 S 1 1 ( ) W M !•: N ' S T R A I ) R I'". Y I F. W />/(• 21 DIXIE— U.S.A. Prod. I\o. 9:i,IlO Fine RKO March of Time No. 10 19 mins. Comment: Here is a real study of the South — its resources, its industries and its problems. It has been called the nation's No. 1 economic problem by President Roosevelt and as such has been given extensive study. The negro problem is exhaustively treated in this subject as well as that equally great problem of the poor whites of the South. The famous Berry School is shown doing its part toward the salvation of the latter group of unfortunates and doing a fine job of it too. This is one of the most interesting issues the March of Time has ever put out, being entirely free of propaganda and containing material of direct interest to the U. S. A. rather than a subject of abstract or academic interest. Exploitation: Essay contests in the schools on the problems of the South should help to sell this. Theatres in the South, of course, have unlimited opportunities for selling this but those in the North too should not fail to take advantage of its meaty material. Newspapers will undoubtedly give full cooperation. SCREEN SNAPSHOTS NO. 9 Prod. ISo. 9859 Interesting Col. Screen Snapshots 10 mins. Comments: The film colony's interest in horses is pictorially depicted here. The stars are shown at the racetracks; Bing Crosby and his horses get some of the footage, and Jackie Searl proves himself a real he-man as he wins a steeplechase contest. Robert Taylor, Barbara Stanwyck, Jack Haley, Anita Louise and many other film luminaries pop in and out of the proceedings. It's all interesting stuff, especially for dyedin-the-wool movie and racing fans. Exploitation: A screening of this subject before your local newspaper's sports editor might influence him to write a special feature about the stars' participation in horse racing. List the names of the stars who appear in the short on vour lobbv announcement board. MANDRAKE, THE MAGICIAN Col. Serial For the Kids First Episode, 27 mins.; 11 others, 18 to 20 mins. each Comment: Serials are like the nations in world affairs. There are the "haves" and the "have-nots." In this particular chapterpla}', a scientist has a destructive radium-energy machine, and a super-criminal, known only as The Wasp, wants it. Doris Weston is the scientist's daughter, and Warren Hull is the magician who, naturally enough, fights on the side of the "haves." For eleven chapters the "have-nots" will be in almost complete possession of the invention, while the "haves" will fight perilously to prevent them from getting it. And then in the final chapter, the head of the "have-nots" will be revealed, and the "haves" will be happy once more. That seems to be the formula of a successful serial, and it is used to advantage here. However, successful, when applied to a chapter play, means that it's sw-ell stuff for the kids. There's excitement and action here for them, but most adults won't care for it. Exploitation: If your local newspaper is running the comic strip on which this is based,, tie up by having a theatre date credit line printed on the same page. Flashy heralds or handbills distributed to children should help to assure a sizable first-chapter crowd. Two-for-one coupons will also help. THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT Prod. l\o. 9509 (Tech.) Very Amusing Col. Color Rhapsody No. 9 7 mins. Comment: Here's one of the most amusing color cartoons we've seen in a month of Sundays. Jack Beaver builds his own house, and bothers nobody; but a couple of other snoopy animals can hardly wait to get in to tear it apart. Jack calls for the police, but gets the termite wrecking squad instead, and they eat his home away before his eyes. He gets revenge, however, and the end shows the other animals re-building his home for him. You can promise your audiences a jolly time when they see this. Exploitation: As far as the termites are concerned, you might tie up with a store selling a disinfectant that kills moths, termites, and other "house and clotheswrecking" insects. Give the cartoon worthy mention in your ads, in your lobby and on your marquee. DIVING RHYTHM Prod. ISo. 9806 Col. Sport Thrills No. 6 Excellent 10 mins. Comment: Some of the world's greatest divers, including Pete Desjardines, Charley Deal, Marshall Wayne, Tony Zukas, go through their breath-taking dives in perfect form. Of course, a little humor is provided by Ted Weingarten and Frank Foster who do some nifty slap-happy belly flops. Your patrons will be thrilled as these famed aquatic champions display their prowess. Jack Nofoed did the narrative, and Ford Bond describes the scenes. Exploitation: By inviting important local swimmers, sports editors, and other folk prominent in sports, you will be paving the way for excellent word-of-mouth comment, which in turn will help your business. Give the subject special mention in your regular advertising media. FIRST RUN SHORT PRODUCT BROADWAY, NEW YORK Week Beginning May 12 CAPITOL— Lucky Pigs (Col.); Rural Hunnary (MGM); Dark Magic (MGM). CRITERION— While America Sleeps (MGM) rev. 4-22-39; So Does An Automobile (Para.) rev. 4-1-39; Lone Ranger Rides Again No. 13 (Rep.) rev. 2-18-39. RIALTO — Muscle Maulers (20th-Fox) rev. 4-29-39; Rig Leaguers (RKO) rev. 4-22-39. RIVOLI— Donald's Lucky Day (RKO) rev. 10-22-38. ROXY— Inside Baseball (20th-Fox) ; Their Last Bean (20th-Fox) rev. 5-6-39. STRAND — Bars and Stripes Forever (Vita.) ; Mechanix Illustrated No. 4 (Vita.). CHICAGO LOOP Week Ending May 6 APOLLO — Somewhat Secret (MGM) rev. 4 22-39; Leave Well Enough Alone (Para.) rev, 4-29-39. GARRICK— The Story of Dr. Tenner (MGM) rev. 4-22-39; Little Goldfish (MGM) rev. 4-22-39. ROOSEVELT — Muscle Maulers (20th-Fox) rev. 4-29-39; Thugs With Dirty Muggs (Vita.). UNITED ARTISTS— The Crawfords at Home (Vita.); Pictorial No 9 (Para.) rev. S-6-39 ; riie Fox Hunt (RKO) rev. 6-18-38. A WORM'S EYE VIEW Prod. I\o. 9755 Just Filler Col. Scrappy Cartoon No. 5 7 mins. Comment: Scrappy goes fishing, and baits his hook with a fast-talking worm who talks himself out of some ticklish spots. That's all there is to this cartoon, which will serve to fill that extra seven minutes on your program. Charles Mintz produced. Exploitation: Give it regular mention in your newspaper ads and house programs. . . NEWSREEL SYNOPSES . . (Released Saturday, May 13) PARAMOUNT (No. 81) — Sailors visit West Point; Gen. Pershing visits Washington; Mail truck exhibit; New Modern Art Museum opens in N. Y, ; Coal strike situation (to be shipped separately) ; Bombers in test maneuvers; Celebrity Softball in N. Y. MOVIETONE (Vol 21, No. 70)— Rancheros ride at Santa Barbara, Calif. ; Rebuild Niagara Falls honeymoon bridge; Chorus girls entertain fleet; Social headquarters for Fair visitors; New Modern Art Museum opens in N. Y.; Flying over New Zealand; Dog vs. rooster; Celebrity Softball in N. Y. ; Feminine wrestling in Detroit; Sailboat yachting near Seattle. NEWS OF THE DAY (Vol. 10, No. 266)— British royalty depart; Mail truck exhibit; Sailors visit West Point; Call coal crisis conference; Gen. Pershing visits Washington; Rancheros ride at Santa Barbara. Calif. (Los Angeles, San Francisco only); Poland stages army show; British polo team makes Eastern debut: Celebrity softball game. PATHE (Vol. 10, No. 85) — Poland and its corridor; Roosevelt sees postal exhibit; Man-made lightning demonstrated; Celebrity softball in N. Y.; Rebuild Niagara Falls honeymoon bridge; New Modern Art Museum opens in N. Y. : Girl gymnasts perform in Calif. ; Sands Point Ramblers polo game. UNIVERSAL (Vol. 11, No. 770)— Sailors visit West Point; Coal strike at Harlan, Ky. ; Gen. Pershing visits Washington; Bootleg liquor confiscated at Brooklyn; Rebuild Niagara Falls horevmoon bridge; Salm.on run at Reck Island, Wash. ; Man-made lightning: Waternroof fashions; Rancheros ride at Santa Barbara, Calif. ; Celebrity softball in N. Y. ; Wrestling in molasses at Minneapolis. (Released Wednesday, May 10) PARAMOUNT (No. 80)— New World's Fair pavili-ps dedicated: Dr. Alexis Carrel insnects working model of m.echanical heart; "Al Smith Day" at San Francisco Fair; Ashes of former Ambassador Saito arrive in Japan; Albanian guard takes oach of allegiance to Italian crown; British maneuvers in Egypt; Queen Wilhelmina of The Netherlands reviews nation's naval strength; Rare devil fish captured in Florir'a; Lou Nova trains for fight with Max Baer; Johnstown wins Kentucky Derby. MOVIETONE (Vol. 21, No. 69)— Johnstown wins Kentucky Derby; Rocsevelt welcomes President Somoza of Nicaragua: Generalissimo Franco on victory tour: 18th Field Artillery in war games in Oklahoma; Farley inspects new mail delivery scooter at Columbia, S. C. ; Spectacular acquacade opens at World's Fair: McDonald Observatory dedicated on Mt. Locke, Texas: Fashions for brides; Lew Lehr and a bouncing 71-Found baby; New Union Depot opens in Los A^gele", (Pacific Coast only); "Al Smith Day" at San Francisco Fair (Pacific Coast only). NEWS OF THE DAY (Vol. 10, No. 267) — Roosevelt welcomes President Somoza of Nicaragua ; Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands inspects navy; Albanian guards swear allegiance to Italian crown (except San Francisco and Los Angeles) ; "Lindbergh heart" on display; New school of fish for Florida aquarium: Rival World's Fair chiefs meet (San Francisco only) : "Al Smith Day" at San Francisco Fair (San Francisco cnly) ; New Union Station opens at Los Angeles ( Lcs Angeles only); Portsmouth vs. Wolverhampton Wolverires in soccer match; Johnstown wins Kentucky Derby. PATHE (Vol. 10, No. 84)— Capital fetes Nicaraguan president; Government acts on coal conflict; Giant skyboat tests wings on Cost; Hitler rejects F. D. R.'s peace plea; Australia mourns late Prime Minister; Johnstown wins Kentucky Derby. UNIVERSAL (Vol. 11, No. 769)— Johnstown wins Kentucky Derby; Capital fetes Nicaraguan president; Giant skyboat tests wings on Coast; Rumanian foreign minister seeks French aid; British air raid defenses tried out: Mechanical heart at World's Fair; Albanian guards swear allegiance to Italian crown: "'^l Smith Dav" at "^an Francisco Fair; Large devil r.sh ca. tured in Flo ida; World's Fair aquacade opens.