Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

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Page IS SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW June 10, 1939 Maisie (Hollywood Preview) MCM Comedy-Drama 72 mins. Swell Direction and Expert Handling of Fine Dialog Help Make This Punchy Film (National Release Date, June 23) Cast: Robert Young, Ann Sothern, Ruth Hussey, Ian Hunter, Cliff Edwards and others. Screenplay by Mary C. McLall, Jr. from a book by Wilson CoUison. Directed by Edwin L. Marin. Produced by J. Walter Ruben. . , a c *u Plot: A honky-tonk showgirl, Ann botnern stranded in Wyoming, takes a job as attendant at a shooting gallery concession at a Rodeo, where she is unjustly accused of stealing ranch foreman Robert Young s money. Sneaking into the ranch by way of a truck with Young and his sidekick, Chff hdwards, Ann poses as a personal maid selected by Young to care for ranch owner Ian Hunter's wife, Ruth Hussey. When Hunter kills himself because of his philandering wife. Young is accused of murdering the former, but is saved in the nick of time by Ann appearing with Hunter's lawyer, Richard Carle, who has a letter frorri his late client telling of his proposed suicide. Young is acquitted and cured of his womanhating ideas ending in the embrace of Miss Sothern. SUMMARY: With at least two good marquee names and a swell supporting cast that delivers the fine dialog under snappy well thought out direction, this should more than please audiences. Robert Young and Ann Sothern are ideally cast as the boss cowboy and the small-time showgirl respectively, with the latter turning in an exceptionally good performance as a light comedienne, getting healthy laughs from the cleverly scripted lines given her. Superb support is given the two latter, especially by Ian Hunter, Ruth Hussey and Cliff Edwards. Director Marin rates a big hand for his deft handling of Mary McCall's fine screenplay, the timing of the laughs and the intense interest in the more serious moments of the film, which he gets a fine chance to mix due to the production values given by J .Walter Ruben. Attire house staff in Western outfits and dress lobby with saddles, ranch equipment, etc. Play Cliff Edwards (Ukulele Ike) records in lobby or in truck for street ballyhoo. OUTSTANDING: Robert Young, Ann Sothern and screenplay of Mary McCall, Jr. Catchline: "Maisie told no one what she wanted — until she got it." (FAMILY) Grand Jury Secrets Para. (Hollywood Preview) Drama 66 mins. Snappy Direction and Good Acting Should Help Newspaper Yarn Fill Dual Top Spot (National Release Date, June 23) Cast: John Howard, Gail Patrick, William Frawley, Jane Darwell, Harvey Stephens and others. Screenplay by Irving Reis and Robert Yost from a story by Irving Reis and Maxwell Shane. Directed by James Hogan. Associate Producer Sam Engcl. LEGION OF DECENCY RATINGS: (For Week Ending June 10) SUITABLE FOR GENERAL PATRONAGE Southward Ho! Trapped in the Sky SUITABLE FOR ADULTS ONLY Charlie Chan in Reno Five Came Back The Sun Never Sets OBJECTIONABLE IN PARTS Maisie Panama Lady The Zero Hour Southward Ho! Plot: The Bulletin's star reporter John Howard and his cameraman William Frawley with the use of a shortwave receiving set, learn that the Grand Jury with the aid of Howard's brother, Harvey Stepiiens, assistant district attorney, are to start an investigation into the activities of a bucket shop outfit. Howard believes in getting news scoops by any means. He poses as a priest to get a confession from a youth who is accused of murdering one of the partners in the bucket shop enterprise, but before he can give the story to his paper he is knocked down by his brother, rebuked by the latter's sweetheart, Gail Patrick, and denounced and slapped by his mother, Jane Darwell. He changes his tactics and is instrumental in freeing the innocent youth and causing the arrest of the second bucket shop owner as the murderer. SUMMARY: Without the aid of marquee names this newsyarn, with the radio twist, makes for a good hour's entertainment through the capable acting and nicely paced direction, and should hold its own as the top half of a double bill. John Howard is convincing as the reporter and gets swell assistance from his cameraman, William Frawley, who furnishes most of the many good laughs in the film. Gail Patrick takes good care of the slight love interest with Harvey Stephens, and the rest of the cast is splendid. James Hogan's snappy direction never lets down and does credit to the fine production Sam Engel gives to the slightly worn screen plot. Try to stir up a contest with amateur short wave set owners, and if possible have a good radio man in lobby with a set to show the intricacies of short wave sending and receiving. Give away hand bills with screeching headlines "GRAND JURY SECRETS TOLD" at Theatre. OUTSTANDING: John Howard and William Frawley. Catchline: "His outlook on life was changed by a slap from his mother." (FAMILY) Distinctive 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 Republic Western 58 mins. Rogers' Latest Vehicle Is Entertaining Blend of Comedy, Romance and Action (National Release Date, May 19) Cast: Roy Rogers, Mary Hart, George "Gabby" Hayes, Wade Boteler, Arthur Loft, Lane Chandler, Tom London, Charles Moore, Edwin Brady. Screenplay by Gerald Geraghty. Original story by John Rathmell and Jack Natteford. Associate Producer and Director, Joseph Kane. Plot: At the close of the war between the states, Rogers and his pal, "Gabby", are without employment. They return to Texas, where "Gabby" has half ownership in a ranch. The other half belongs to Boteler, an officer of the Union army, who permits the boys to settle on it while he performs his duty as military governor. Unknown to Boteler, his men are led by two scoundrels, for their own gain. They kill their superior officer, but Rogers and "Gabby" succeed in rounding them up. Roger wins Mary. SUMMARY: This story begins in the South and shifts to the West, so that you won't be far off if you advertise it as a South-Western. Musical interludes, comedy, action, villainy and romance are pleasantly intermingled to make "Southward Ho!" a thoroughly enjoyable film. Cowboy singing star Roy Rogers has a natural charm that's refreshing in comparison to the artificiality of some others, and he is capably abetted by George "Gabby" Hayes, who, we are given to understand, will be his running mate from now on. Hayes supplies a great deal of the comedy, and his addition to the Rogers westerns should heighten their entertainment value. Mary Hart is a lovely heroine, while Arthur Loft and Tom London are as villainous a pair of dishonest tax collectors as ever rattle a tax notice in the face of a poor rancher. Summed up, this newest Rogers vehicle should please as well, or perhaps more, as his former releases. Tie up with music shops. Republic has already arranged tieups on several different national products. OUTSTANDING: Roy Rogers and George "Gabby" Hayes. Catchline: "Roy fights a new battle for the old Confederacy." (FAMILY) The Girl and the Gambler (Hollya'ood Previeiv) RKO-Radio Comedy 62 mins. Remake of "The Dove" On Modest Budget Will Be Satisfactory On Double Bills (National Release Date, June 16) Cast: Leo Carrillo, Steffi Duna, Tim Holt, Donald McBride and others. Screenplay by Joseph A. Fields and Clarence Upson Young from the play "The Dove" by Willard Mack, based on story "The Blue Ribbon" by Gerald Beaumont. Directed by Lew Landers. Associate Producer, Cliff Reid. Plot: Mexico's top bandit, Leo Carrillo, makes a bet with one of his followers that he can win the love of cafe entertainer Steffi Duna known as "The Dove." Dressing and posing as a big ranch owner he hies to For Additional Exploitation Ideas on These Pictures Consult the Encyclopedia of Exploitation— See Page 37