Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

Page 26 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW June 24, 1939 S£mt % Clouds Over Europe (Continued from page 14) son on it. It draws alongside the sliip, and the mystery is solved. SUMMARY: Don't let that title fool you! Although it suggests perhaps sabotage, espionage and aviation which, of course, are in the picture, it nevertheless fails to convey the gay comedy that permeates this thoroughly entertaining film from a few moments after the opening scene until the very end. If you're expecting 79 minutes of deepdyed drama, you're in for a pleasant surprise. Here is easily one of the finest British importations to date. It moves along with a zip that keeps the audience intensely interested, and although its theme could indeed be a serious one, the characters seem to be kidding the plot with their tongues in their cheeks. There's a free-for-all on the salvage ship "Viking" near the end that's tops for sheer excitement. Ralph Richardson, as the Scotland Yard investigator, is easily the most delightful and ingratiating actor on the screen. His performance is exceptionally good, topping even that as the doctor in "The Citadel." Hollywood would be fortunate to have him under contract. Laurence Olivier does well as the crack pilot, and Valerie Hobson is charming and likable as the feminine newspaper reporter. The only possible obstacle in your path to reaping satisfactory grosses on "Clouds Over Europe" is that its cast, with the exception of Olivier who soared to the heights in "Wuthering Heights," is not too well known here. But if you loosen your advertising purse strings, and emphasize the film's comedy, engaging romance, action and thrills, you should do all right with it. Much favorable word-of-mouth comment will get around following the opening. OUTSTANDING: Ralph Richardson's delightful and brilliant performance. Latchline : "Thrilling in its myster_\', action and suspense — laugh-provokins; in its gav comedy." (FAMILY) Murder Is News Warwick Mystery-Drama 55 mins. Mystery Drama With Cast of Unknowns Obviously Destined for Dual Situations (National Release Date, June 1) Cast: John Gallaudet, Iris Meredith, George McKay, John Hamilton, Frank C. Wilson, William Mclntyre, Doris Lloyd, John G. Spacey, Colin Kenny, Fred Bass. Screenplay by Edgar Edwards. Directed by Leon Barsha. Plot: Mclntyre is murdered when he goes to his town house after learning his wife, Doris Lloyd, and stepson, Wilson, are meeting there to discuss her divorce from him. Gallaudet, a sensation-seeking newspaper columnist, finds Mclntyre's body; but after being knocked out, discovers it has been removed. Suspicion falls on a number of people, but when the body is recovered the motive for the murder is established and the guilty man brought to justice. SUMMARY: This low-budgeted murder mystery was obviously produced for the dual situations. Most of the footage is involved with the questioning of suspects — a knock on the head, a "ride" and the imprisonment of the villain with the ace reporter and others in a secret vault furnishing the only bit of suspense and excitement in the entire picture. As the newspaper "snooper," Gallaudet does his best to be what a columnist should, but reporters may be mystified at the Unusual One-Sheet Boards Tit'o unusual one-sheet boards, one a moneyback guarantee and the other a notice that no one zvould be seated during the last 15 minutes of the picture zvere used in front of the Babcock Theatre by Manager C. L. Hollister as part of his campaign on Warners' "Dark J'ietory." interpretation. No performances stand out, although none is particularly bad. The direction is satisfactory and the photography fair. Where patrons are not too exacting in their choice of screenfare, "Murder Is News ' should capably fill the lower spot on a double feature booking. Try to imprint the announcement of your showing in red across the front page of certain editions of your local newspaper. The title lends itself to advertising gags such as "A man biting a dog is a commonplace thing by now — but 'Murder Is News'." Catchline: "A missing body — obstacles in the path of justice — but he didn't stoj) imtil he revealed the murderer." (ADULT) 23 rd STEVE BRODIE JUMPED from Brooklyn Bridge, 1888. In celebrating the 51st anniversary of this event, t e up by running any picture featuring daredevils. Plant a newspaper feature about modern daredevils, including those in your current pictures. 24th PIONEER DAY IN UTAH. Since this is the anniversary of the Mormons reaching Great Salt Lake, it should be the occasion for suitable celebration in that state. MCM has made a short subject, "The Miracle of Salt Lake, " which would be an appropriate addition to your regular program. 25th OCCUPATION DAY IN PUERTO RICO. This day should be suitably observed in the island and can be made the background for a good Spanish American War picture. 26th POSTAL SYSTEM ESTABLISHED, 1775. This offers the opportunity for you to play host to the local stamp club. Stage a philatelic exhibition in your lobby. NEW YORK RATIFIES CONSTITUTION, 1788. This seems to tie in with the N. Y. World's Fair. N. Y. :tate exhibitors would do well to contact Fair officials to see if any tieups are possible. 27th FIRST ATLANTIC CABLE COMPLETED, 1866. Get the telephone and telegraph companies to tie up with you on some picture featuring trans-Atlantic cables. 28th WORLD WAR BEGAN, 1914. Run a War picture or one with a War background in commemoration of this event. Table Tennis Match On Stage of Babcock Draws Extra Patronage There must be many ping pong enthusiasts in vfiur town; teams may even be formed. Well, although this stunt might not be practical during the summer months, you can put it away in your tickler file for winter use. They play ping pong — pardon us, table tennis — up in Wellsville, N. Y., so when a match had determined the local high school champions, a challenge came from Alfred LTiiiversity for the local champs to meet theirs. The challenge was accepted. And the match was played on the stage of the Babcock Theatre. According to Manager C. L. HoUister, it was announced at the previous week's contest, at stage events, by a 40x60 display board, and by boxes in regular newsj^aper ads. This activity resulted in extra business, brinoing out the high school students. The winners were awarded a gold cup, .suitably engraved, promoted from a local jeweler in return for stage publicity You can promote the same kind of a contest when the snow begins to fly. Plays Up Safety Theme 111 selling "Only .A.ngels Have Wings," John Rogers, Harrisburg, Pa., tlieatre manager, played up safe driving by stenciling on the sidewalks at downtown intersections, " 'Only Angels Have Wings— Watch Traffic Lights'." He also put out 5,000 door knob hangers 'which stressed the safety theme, and induced a local radio announcer to read off the license numbers of cars spotted for courteous driving. The lucky owners received tickets to see the film. "Drive Carefully — Let Us Live — " Signs bearing the copy, "Let Us Live — Drive Carefully to see 'Let Us Live' at the Hamilton," were placed on lamp posts by Manager R, Kennedy in conjunction with the showing of "Let Us Live" at Warners' Hamilton Theatre, Chicago. Good Parking Tag Gag When "Sergeant Madden" played at the Rialto Theatre, Racine, Wis., parking tags were distributed. On one side the copy read, "Did you ever try to 'fix' a ticket issued by 'Sergeant Madden' for speeding, parkine or any other violation of the law? Wow! He's one tough baby to 'fix'. (See other side)." On the other side copy read, "Don't miss Wallace Beery as 'Sergeant Madden,' etc." Winners in Boy Tarzan Hunt Dii'isional winners in the Police Athletic League's quest for a boy Tarzan ivere guests recently of Johnny IVcissinuller at the Aquacade at the Nezv York World's Fair. It zvas part of the housing exploitation campaign conducted in conjunction, zvith the Capitol Theatre's showinq of MGM's "Tarcan Finds a Son!" in which jyeissinuller is featured zvith Maureen. O'Sullizian and John Sheffield.