Showmen's Trade Review (1939)

Page 8 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW July 15, 1939 Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever MCM 85 mins. Comedy Excellent Hardy Picture Should Do As Well If Not Better Than Predecessors (National Release Date, July 21) Cast: Lewis Stone, Mickey Rooney, Cecilia Parker, Fay Holden, Ann Rutherford, Sara Haden, Helen Gilbert, Terry Kilburn, John T. Murray and others. Screenplay by Kay Van Riper based upon the characters created by Aurania Rouverol. Directed by W. S. Van Dyke. Plot: Mickey Rooney finds a naval officer poaching on his romantic preserves and shortly finds himself in love with the new dramatics teacher, Helen Gilbert. His own romances give him the inspiration to write a play for the school to perform and he himself takes the leading role. Meanwhile, Lewis Stone gets involved in a deal to start an aluminum factory. The promotors skip town and then Stone finds that the entire earth contains the same amount of aluminum as his land but he sells it to the city and saves his reputation. Mickey's romance turns out all right too, for the schoolteacher convinces him that she is comparatively an old lady so Mickey returns to Ann Rutherford. SUMMARY: Here's another of those perfect family pictures. The Hardy family is by now so well entrenched that its pictures are guaranteed to be box office successes. This one will be no exception as it has every element. You might take exception to the title on the ground that it is a little late, but your audience will shortly forget it. Mickey Rooney is as usual the superb actor and Lewis Stone also carries his part to perfection. This picture, however is distinguished by the advent of a newcomer, Helen Gilbert, who gives every prospect of becoming a brilliant screen luminary. We can't blame Mickey Rooney for falling in love with her. She is certainly good to look at and is an accomplished actress besides. Altogether this picture can be easily characterized by the one word "Fine" for its comedy moments, its story, portrayals, direction and production. Essay contests on the spring fever idea are indicated by the title. Don't forget to decorate the lobby with a picture of Mickey Rooney with plenty of little red hearts around. Amateur shows are heavily plugged in this so tie up with them, let them use your theatre during the run, offer prizes to the best local actors, directors, writers, etc. OUTSTANDING: Helen Gilbert, the newcomer and W. S. Van Dyke's direction. Catchline: "Andy Hardy finds the role of Romeo too difficult." (FAMILY) Wyoming Outlaw Republic Western 57 mins. Headlines Furnish Suspenseful, Exciting Plot for Mesquiteers' Latest Adventure (National Release Date, June 27) Cast: John Wayne, Ray Corrigan, Raymond Hatton, Donald Barry, Adele Pearce, LeRoy Mason, Charles Middleton, Katherine Kenworthy, Elmo Lincoln, Jack Ingram, Legion of Decency Ratings: (For Week Ending July 15) SUITABLE FOR GENERAL PATRONAGE Unexpected Father Bachelor Mother Million Dollar Legs Career SUITABLE FOR ADULTS ONLY Waterfront Hell's Kitchen The Man in the Iron Mask They All Come Out OBJECTIONABLE IN PART Black Limelight CONDEMNED Mad Youth Million Dollar Legs David Sharpe, Jack Kenney, Yakima Canutt. Screenplay by Betty Burbridge and Jack Natteford. Directed by George Sherman. Associate Producer, William Berke. Plot: Discovering one of their steers has been rustled, the Mesquiteers go in town to find him. During a fight at a dance, Wayne's wallet is recovered but the money is missing. Suspecting Adele Pearce, he follows her home, and there learns that Barry, who rustled the steer, is her brother and an outlaw. Local politicians, headed by Mason, have reduced the family to poverty. Wayne exposes Mason to the Governor, who sends an investigating commission; but the Mesquiteers are jailed and the investigation is discontinued. Barry, too, is jailed. The Mesquiteers are released, but Barry has to shoot his way out. After a manhunt, Barry is killed in front of the bank where he had waylaid Mason, his bitterest enemy. SUMMARY: It isn't often spinners of western yarns get an idea for a plot from newspaper headlines, but that's what has happened in this case, and the result is a suspenseful and exciting outdoor action drama just a few notches above the usual western. Those who read the accounts of the Wyoming manhunt will have their memories vividly refreshed as the film's plot unfolds. Donald Barry is excellent as the harassed outlaw who believed the right to eat was more important than the government's right to preserve game. The Mesquiteers are, as always, highly satisfactory, with Raymond Hatton making a capable replacement for Max Terhune. Her facial expressions at times reminding one of Karen Morley, Adele Pearce is charming in the leading feminine role, while LeRoy Mason is worthy of a houseful of hisses. Movie fans, whether lovers of outdoor films or not, are certain to enjoy this latest Mesquiteers adventure. Post novelty reward notices for the "Wyoming Outlaw" around town. Tie up with travel agencies on the beauties of western lands. Take advantage of the national tieup on Wheaties. OUTSTANDING: Donald Barry as the outlaw. Catchline: "Gangland drives an innocent man to crime." (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 (Hollywood Preview) Para. Comedy 63 mins. Fair Collegiate Comedy Will Interest the Younger Element in Your Community (National Release Date, July 14) Cast: Betty Grable, John Hartley, Thurston Hall, Donald O'Connor, Jackie Coogan, Dorothea Kent, Peter Hayes and others. Screenplay by Lewis R. Foster and Richard English from a story by Foster. Directed by Nick Grinde. Produced by William C. Thomas. Plot: Hartley, athletic son of a college's benefactor, Hall, is in love with Betty Grable. Hayes sees a chance to win attention from Dorothea Kent by getting rowing revived, a plan which nearly fails when Hartley decides he is being played for a come-on. Hayes bets a pooled fund on a horse race, after a tip from jockey O'Connor. The horse wins, a new shell is bought and Hayes does a long distance job as coxswain via radio to win the race and clear everything. SUMMARY : This is a fair collegiate comedy with the type of action and plot one would expect from its setting. It's strictly a program picture but one which might interest the younger element in your audience. Therefore, the picture is best spotted on a double bill along with a feature having strong draw. Thurston Hall as the bankrolling father and Buster Crabbe as the coach have the only good acting assignments and they handle their roles well. Nick Grinde's direction falls short of the speed he usually achieves. Young Hayes offers possibilities as a fine young comic, given good material and Dorothea Kent does her best to help him. Sell the picture through the jitterbugs using music stores, your lobby, newspapers and programs to approach the youth of your community. OUTSTANDING: Thurston Hall and Buster Crabbe. Catchline: "How a horse wins a college crew race." (FAMILY) News Is Made At Night (Hollyzvood Preview) 20th-Fox Comedy 71 mins. Well Directed and Capably Acted Comedy of Newspaper Life Will Get Good Laughs (National Release Date, July 21) Cast: Preston Foster, Lynn Bari, Russell Gleason, George Barbier, Minor Watson, Paul Harvey, Richard Lane and others. Original screenplay by John Larkin. Directed by Alfred Werker. Associate producer, Edward Kaufman. Plot: Foster, wise-cracking newspaper managing editor, who hates women reporters, breaks every law, steals the governor's private phone line and ends up by marrying the. "hated" woman reporter in his effort to prove the innocence of a simple car thief of a murder charge. SUMMARY: The improbabilities of the plot are all that keep this well directed and capably acted comedy from top spot on For Additional Exploitation Ideas on These Pictures Consult the Encyclopedia of Exploitation