Showmen's Trade Review (1939)

July 1, 1939 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW Page 21 (Continued from page 9) The Man in the Iron Mask (Hollywood Preview) U.A. Drama 110 mins. Louis Hayward Scores in Superb Drama That Should Win Popularity at B. 0. (National Release Date, August 11) Cast: Louis Hayward, Joan Bennett, Warren William, Joseph Schildkraut, Alan Hale, Walter Kingsford, Miles Mander, Bert Roach and others. Adapted from the novel by Alexander Dumas. Screenplay by George Bruce. Directed by James Whale. Produced by Edward Small. Plot: At the insistence of his Prime Minister, Walter Kingsford, Albert Dekker (King Louis XIII) after the birth of twin sons to his Queen, has his lifelong friend, Warren William, take the baby Philippe into exile leaving twin Louis to rule France after his death. Louis Hayward, grown up, plays the twins in a dual role, orders his brother Philippe jailed in solitary with an iron mask. Kingsford with the help of Joan Bennett, who is to be the new Queen of France, and the three musketeers, rescue the twin and after battling the King's guards, the latter is placed in the iron mask. SUMMARY: An imposing tale founded on Alexander Dumas' well-known story during the reign of Louis XIV of France, Edward Small has a superbly produced, well directed drama that should win popularity at the boxoffice. Louis Hayward, in the dual role of Louis XIV and his twin brother Philippe, scores with a remarkable portrayal that should stamp him as one of the future stars of the cinema world An excellent cast, headed by Joan Bennett, Joseph Schildkraut, Warren William and Walter Kingsford, all turn in stand-out performances. The thrilling and actionful screenplay of the "Dumas" tale, by George Bruce, is one of the season's best. Dress house staff in period costumes and for lobby have a man in a cage wearing a replica of the "Iron Mask." OUTSTANDING: Louis Hayward and George Bruce's screenplay. Catchline: "Brother against brother for the throne of France." (FAMILY) Mountain Rhythm Republic Western 56 mins. Good All Round Production Treatment Makes New Autry Film Fine Screen Fare (National Release Date, June 9) Cast: Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, June Storey, Maude Eburne, Ferris Taylor, Walter Fenner, Jack Pennick, Hooper Atchley, Bernard Suss, others. Screenplay by Gerald Geraghty from an original story by Connie Lee. Directed by B. Reeves Eason. Associate Producer, Harry Grey. Plot: A move is on to auction off the public grazing lands upon which every rancher in the valley is dependent. Fenner, owner of a resort, seeks to gain control of the land to turn it into a vast tourist's mecca. Gene enlists with Maude Eburne, Burnette's aunt, to aid in the fight to save the land for the ranchers. SUMMARY: It's difficult to see how anyone, whether an Autry fan or not, could help but enjoy his films. Always produced in a manner that's a step or two ahead of regulation outdoor film fare, they are rousing entertainment from beginning to end. "Mountain Rhythm" is no exception. It has action, plenty of gun-play and fisticuffs, some swell solo and group vocalizing, bits of comedy here and there, and a plot that boasts originality. Autry goes in for more fighting than is usually the case, and fans will root while he's in there battling. June Storey lends her beauty to the proceedings as admirably as ever. From every standpoint, this film is first-rate western entertainment. Several tieups have been effected by Republic, which should make it comparatively easy for you to arrange cooperative window displays and ads with local merchants. OUTSTANDING: General all 'round production treatment. Catchline: "Rip-roaring adventure in Gene's latest and best musical western." (FAMILY) Second Fiddle 20th-Fox Musical-Comedy 87 mins. Irving Berlin's Haunting Melodies Big Feature Of This Spectacular Musical (National Release Date, June 23) Cast: Sonja Henie, Tyrone Power, Rudy Vallee, Edna May Oliver, Mary Healy, Lyle Talbot, Alan Dinehart, Minna Gombell, Stewart Reburn, Spencer Charters, others. Screenplay by Harry Tugend. Based on a story by George Bradshaw. Directed by Sidney Lanfield. Associate Producer, Gene Markey. Plot: Sonja Henie, school teacher from Bergen, Minn., is among a list of candidates for the lead in Consolidated's, "The Girl of the North." After searching for a girl to play Advertising Clinic June 3, p. 29; June 10, p. 18 Allied Convention June 17, p. 5 Bulletin Board June 24, p. 40 Code of Fair Trade Practices June 3, p. 22 Community Theatre, Morristown, N. J. . . : June 24, p. 36 Complete Product Checkup 1938-39 and 1939-40 Season June 10, p. 16-17 Equipment Literature Bureau June 24, P 46 Exploitation Campaigns — by Pictures Alexander Graham Bell . . June 17, P 23 Confessions Of a Nazi Spy June 3, p. 68; June 17, P 25 Darkr Victory June 3, P 38 Dodge City June 24, P 22 Down On the Farm June 3, P 60 Goodbye Mr. Chips June 17, P 27 Gulliver's Travels June 3, P 35 Hardvs Ride High . June 17, P 27 It's a Wonderful World . . June 3, P 15 Juarez June 3, P 60 Let Us Live .June 3, p. 27; June 24, P 26 Little Princess Tune 17, P 26 Love Affair June 24, P 22 Lucky Night June 17, P 23 Midnight Tune 3, P 27 Only Angels Have Wings .June 17, P 25 Prison Without Bars .... June 17, P 23 Sergeant Madden June 17, P 23 Tarzan Finds a Son June 17, P 27 Three Smart Girls Grow Up June 3, P 38 Union Pacific , June 3, P 24 Wuthering Heights ...June 3, p. 30 34 Exploitation Campaigns — by Stunts Beauty Pageant June 3, p. 35 Fashion Tieup June 3, p. 60 Giant Newspaper Herald ..June 3, p. 35 Golf Instruction June 24, p. 29 Home-Made Movies June 24, p. 22 Model Airplane Contest ...June 3, p. 68 the role, the studio has Power, a publicity man, bring Sonja accompanied by her aunt, Edna May Oliver, to Hollywood, where Sonja becomes a sensation. Because Valee, an actor, is in need of publicity, Power arranges a fake romance between him and Sonja. Mary Healy, Vallee's girl, reveals the trick to Sonja, who returns home brokenhearted. Power, in love with her, tries to effect a reconciliation; but she marries Talbot, her rustic boy friend. The marriage is null and void, however, because the license of the Justice of the Peace had expired the day before. SUMMARY: Here's a picture with a backstage Hollywood angle with marquee and exploitation strength that should be okay at the boxoffice. Story is a take-off of the recent search for an actress to portray the role of Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone With the Wind," and it is done in a tonguein-cheek manner. The big hit is Irving Berlin's six new songs, sung in swell style by Rudy Vallee and Mary Healy that will be hummed and danced to 'round the world. Although skating is incidental in the picture, Sonja Henie is seen in several breathtaking sequences. Tyrone Power, as the fast-talking press agent, gives an excellent performance. Edna May Oliver comes through with the most hilarious portrayal of her long career. If there are ice rinks in your community, promote a "Second Fiddle" derby tying up with sportswear and athletic goods stores. Music shops and radio stations should be contacted in exploiting Irving Berlin's latest hits, featured in the picture. Cash in on Rudy Vallee's popularity. OUTSTANDING: Irving Berlin's music. Catchline: "The greatest combination of talent ever gathered for one show." (FAMILY) Parking Tag Gag June 24, P 26 Telephone Tieup June 17, P 24 World's Fair Trips June 17, P 25 Fun Festival June 17, P 24 Gags, Games and Gadgets . . June 3, P 18 House Organ June 10, P 20 Is Film Advertising "Corny"? June 3, P 20 -21 July Fourth Exploitation... June 3, P 34 May 1939 Index June 3, P 69 Outside Lighting Important. June 24, P 35 Projection Room Efficiency .June 24, P 37 Quality Equipment Pays . . . June 24, P 44 Radio City Music Hall June 3, P 16 Short Subjects — Exploitation Tune 24, P 29 "Around the World" Matinee June 3. P 41 Book Shorts With Care . . Tune 24, P 29 Ferdinand ..June 3, p. 41; Tune 24, P 30 Heroes At Leisure June 10, P 31 March Of Time June 24, P 29 Marine Circus June 3, P 41 Men Of Steel June 3, P 41 Money To Loan June 3, P 41 Prophet Without Honor . June 3, P 40 Radio Hams . June 3, P 42 Shooting For Par . June 3, P 41 Short Subjects Program . . June 3, P 40 Smooth Approach June 3, P 42 While America Sleeps . . . . June 3, P 41 Showmanalyses Bridal Suite June 3, p. 36-37 Juarez June 10, p. 24-25 Tarzan Finds a Son ....June 24, p. 24-25 Young Mr. Lincoln ....June 10, p. 26-27 STR Program Exchange June 3, p. 32-33; Tune 10, p. 22; June 17, p. 22; June 24, p. 19 Theatre Housekeeping June 24, p. 39 Weekly Studio Checkup ...June 3, p. 12; June 10, p. 15; June 17, p. 32; June 24, p. 48 JUNE, 1939 INDEX A listing of the highlights of the pact month's issues of STR, indexed and cross-indexed for ready reference.