Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

Page 8 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW Tell No Talcs ( H ollyzcood Frcvicii.') MCM Drama 67 mins. Fine Acting and Story Almost Puts This In Class of Higher Bracketed Pictures (National Release Date, May 12) Cast: Melvyn Douglas, Louise Piatt, Gene Lockhart, Douglas Dum'orille and others. Screenplay by Lionel Houser, from a story by Pauline London and Alfred Taylor. Directed by Leslie Fenton. Produced by Edward Chodorov. Plot: On the 75th Anniversary of the Guardian, its editor, Melvyn Douglas is notified by the owner of the paper, Douglas Dumbrille, who also owns the Evening Record, a "dirt sheet," that he is suspending publication of the former paper. Dejected, Douglas goes to his favorite bar for a drink and to cash his last paycheck. He then pays for a flock of drinks, to be given to any of his employees who might drop in, with a $100 bill which is recognized by the bartender as part of ransom money paid to kidnapers. With the help of a young scholteacher, Louise Piatt, who saw the actual kidnaping, inside of 36 hours Douglas is able to capture the guilty men, and also get the newspaper owner to continue the publishing of the Guardian, thus saving the jobs of his 400 odd friends and employees. SUMMARY: With a well dialogued screenplay from a good story, packed into a little over an hour, this film should prove acceptable fare singly in many spots and hold its own as top half of duals anywhere. Melvyn Douglas is convincing in his role as editor-sleuth, and gets capital support throughout, especially in two short sequences from Gene Lockhart as a swank gambling house proprietor, and a young colored girl Therese Harris, as the wridow of a prizefighter at whose wake she does a swell emoting bit. For Leslie Fenton's first directorial effort he has turned in the job of a veteran, and the production looks like big money through the deft handling of the exchequer of Edward Chodorov. For lobby display have blown up news headlines of big kidnaping and ransom cases. For a change dress staff as newsboys and have them distribute handbills with the scareline "Who kidnaped the Roberts boy?" OUTSTANDING: Leslie Fenton's direction of the unusual screenplay. Catchline: "He told no tales but knew all the answers." (FAMILY) Goodbye, Mr. Chips MCM Drama 1 1 4 mins. Another English-Made Hit From Leo and Ranking Well Up Amongst All Top Films (National Release Date, Not Set) Cast: Robert Donat, Greer Garson, Terry Kilburn, John Mills, Paul von Hernfried, Judith Purse, Lyn Harding and others. Screenplay by R. C. Sherriff, Claudine West and Eric Maschwitz from the book by James Hilton. Directed by Sam Wood. Produced by Victor Saville. Plot: Robert Donat, a young schoolmaster, arrives at Brookfield Academy in the 1870's. He progresses in his relations with the boys but is not particularly successful. On a walking tour of the Continent he Legion of Decency Ratings: (For Week Ending May 20) SUITABLE FOR GENERAL PATRONAGE Across the Plains Bey Friend Girl From Mexico Goodbye, Mr. Chips Some Like It Hot Wolf Call Down the Wyoming Trail Law Comes to Texas Racketeers of the Range Spoilers of the Range SUITABLE FOR ADULTS ONLY Climbing High Ex-Champ House of Fear Widow's Island Undercover Doctor Only Angels Have Wings It's a Wonderful World meets Greer Garson, whom he marries. This is the beginning of his success which only stops when she dies in childbirth. Many years later, he retires but when the War starts and there is a shortage of masters, he is called back this time as headmaster. The War over, he again retires and the picture ends as a fourth generation of one family says "Goodbye, Mr. Chips." SUMMARY: This'll bring a tear to many an eye and a smile to many a lip. MGM has scored again with another of its Englishmade pictures which bear the unmistakable stamp of Hollywood (and we like it). Donat is in practically every scene and of course, walks away with all the honors. He ages excellently as the fi.lm first shows him as a young man of 25 and at its end (and briefly at the beginning) he is 83 years old. Although every member of the cast is an Englishman and the accents are rather thick in spots, it's just what you would expect for nothing is more English than an English school. All in all, it's fine entertainment and everyone regardless of his interest in England or English institutions should enjoy the story as a story. Doubtless, there are many similar characters in real life, a fact which makes the picture the more enjoyable. Although almost the entire action takes place at the boys' school, it is not in the least static. Director Sam Wood has obtained plenty of action and his scenes to mark the passage of time are especially worthwhile. Tie up with book stores on the well known book of the same name by James Hilton. Schools in this country should provide a ready audience for the picture from among students and the teachers as well. Robert Donat should be increasingly popular following his success in "The Citadel" and his name should carry considerable weight on the marquee. Don't neglect selling Greer Garson as you'll be seeing her in several pictures made in Hollywood. OUTSTANDING: Robert Donat. Catchline: "Thousands of boys will always be boys to Mr. Chips." (FAMILY) The Mikado Univ. Musical 90 mins. Enchanting Music, Gorgeous Technicolor; Outstanding Attraction for Any Theatre (National Release Date, Not Set) Cast: Kenny Baker, John Barclay, Martyn Green, Sidney Granville, Jean Colin, Elisabeth Paynter, Kathleen Naylor, Constance Willis. D'Olyly Carte Opera Co., chorus. Gilbert and Sullivan operetta adapted, conducted and produced by Geoffrey Toye. Directed by Victor Schertzinger. Plot: Nanki-Poo, son of the Mikado, flees to the town of Titipu disguised as a wandering minstrel, rather than marry elderly, ugly Katisha. He falls in love with Yum-Yum, ward of Ko-Ko, high executioner, who also wants to marr}^ her. Faced with the necessity of executing somebody to hold his job, Ko-Ko agrees that Nanki-Poo can marry Yum-Yum if he will agree to be executed in a month — but then Ko-Ko decides to let the bride and groom escape and merely testify he has executed Nanki-Poo — a deception that causes more trouble, for the Mikado learns Nanki-Poo is his son. Ko-Ko escapes death only by marrying Katisha — which leaves Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum free to live happily thereafter. SUMMARY: A very different screen attraction— but an attraction of great potential profit in terms of immediate box office returns and added prestige for theatres running it. The Gilbert and Stillivan fans — and their number must be legion in every section of the country, particularly since this music has been featured by radio so intensely of late. Swing versions of Gilbert and Siillivan in the theatre recently have added more current interest in this music. The picture is one of breath-taking beauty; probably the supreme achievement of Technicolor camera work to date. Kenny Baker's singing of the music is notable for its appeal and faithfulness to the Gilbert and Sullivan tradition. Excellently played and sung are the other parts by John Barclay, Martyn Green and others of the famous D'Olyly company. Jean Colin is pretty and attractive as 'Yum-Yum. It is a picture that amuses, delights the ear and eye. Aggressive selling should be used to stamp this an exceptional attraction, a picture everybody should be made to feel they cannot afford to say they missed. London and New York no longer have a monopoly on the fun and lilting melody of finely staged and acted Gilbert and Sullivan and this should be a featured theme of advertising directed at the masses as well as the classes who are interested in music. It's fun — there's slapstick as well as wit in the play. Feature that in advertising, whether in newspapers, music store tieups, ballyhoo of a Jap in a rickshaw or a wandering singer garbed as Nanki-Poo. OUTSTANDING: Gilbert and Sullivan music. Catchline: "Fantasy, fun and haunting melodies in the most beautiful technicolor since 'Snow White'." (FAMILY) The Girl From Mexico ( H ollyzL'ood Prez'iew) RKO-Radio Farce Comedy 70 mins. Lupe Velez In Uproarious Comedy Should Help Draw On Dual Bill With Weaker Film (National Release Date, Not Set) Cast: Lupe Velez, Donald Woods, Leon Errol, Linda Hayes, Donald McBride and others. Screenplay by Lionel Houser and Joseph A. Fields. Story by Lionel Houser. Directed by Leslie Goodwins. Associate Producer, Robert Sisk. Plot: Donald McBride, head of an advertising agency sends his star talent scout Donald Woods, who is about to be married to socialite Linda Hayes to Mexico to get For Additional Exploitation Ideas on These Pictures Consult Encyclopedia of Exploitation — See Back Cover