Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1939)

October 7, SHOWMEN'S TRAD.E REVIEW Page 15 the world but slie has in niiiid setthiig down in a house in Connecticut which her grandfatiier, C. Aul)rey Smith, a bishop, has built for her. So she leaves Niven and persuaded by her aunt, Billie Burke, goes to Reno and gets a divorce. Niven is discouraged and practically retires only emerging to play at a benefit show staged by Raymond VValburn, who happens to be Crawford's boss. Meanwhile Loretta has married Crawford and Walburn invites them all to his Adirondack lodge for a week end. There Niven finds Loretta still loves him and when he risks his life in a daring parachute jump at the World's Fair and is badly hurt, he learns that she will marry him again. Comment: Here is the sophisticated light comedy which has been so successful in the past, repeated again. The story is excellent and a sterling cast of top-notchers all give fine performances. Davi(l Niven, as the magician, will add many feminine fans to his alread}' large following and in this role he gives an excellent performance. Loretta Young, as sweet as ever, provides an admirable foil for him. Broderick Crawford as the misunderstood second husband, provides many of the laughs and seems destined for more attention in the future. Some scenes Iiave been taken at the World's Fair in New York but there is hardly any real background stuff in these scenes. Hugh Herbert plays the role of Niven's valet and has been handled much better than usual with the result that he is funny instead of being just silly. All in all, it is capital entertainment and should prove to be a good box office bet. There are lots of fashion stills which would be especially appropriate inasmuch as Loretta Young and the other feminine members of the cast wear some dazzling gowns. Tieups can be made with photographers, florists, perfumers and gift shops on the title. The magician angle is also good for a lot of local stunts and tieups. (FAMILY) Catchline: "A magician tricked by love." AUDIENCE SLANT: EXCELLENT SOPHISTICATED LIGHT COMEDY HAS STERLING CAST GIVING FINE PERFORMANCES. BOX OFFICE SLANT: TOP GROSSER FOR CLASS HOUSES; VERY GOOD GENERALLY. Ninotchka MGM COMEDY 110 mins. (Prod. No. 7— Nat'l Release, Nov. 3) Credits: Greta Garbo, Melvyn Douglas, Ina Claire, Bela Lugosi, Sig Rumann, Felix Bressart, Alexander Granach, Gregory Gaye, Rolfe Sedan, Edwin Maxwell, Richard Carle. Screenplaj' by Charles Brack'ett, Billy Wilder and Walter Reisch. Based on the original story by Melchior Lengyel. Directed by Ernst Lubitsch. Plot: When three Russian envoys fail to dispose of confiscated crown jewels in Paris, having been contested by Ina Claire, the owner, another envoy, Garbo, arrives to take charge of the situation. The case is to go to trial. Meanwhile, Douglas, a happygo-lucky Frenchman, has difficulty in transforming the poker-faced envoy, but eventually succeeds. Just as she is beginning to enjoy life, the jewels are stolen from her safe, and Garbo is compelled to return to Russia. Failing to obtain a visa Douglas lures Garbo to Constantinople, where the two are reunited. Comment: Garbo laughs. But what's more important is that this is the grandest picture in which she has appeared for several years. It's just the kind of laugh-packed entertainment audiences enjoy, and although most of the gags are easily caught, there are a few so subtle and uttered or enacted with such sobriety that those who must have a drawing won't catch on until minutes after they've passed. The dialogue is Double Bill Horror Show Has Two Really Thrilling Films Select Attractions is handling a double bill horror show which will certainly set the horror fans on their ears. It consists of two features, "The Return of the Frog" by Edgar Wallace and "The Demon Barber of Fleet Street." The two features together run two hours and 15 minutes. They are booked and played as a single show. "The Return of the Frog " is a crook story with Gordon Harker in the leading role. It is the less horrifying of the two pictures but that isn't saying much. For "The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" is. indeed horror at its best. Tod Slaughter is the principal character and "slaughter" is no word for what he does to his victims. If your patrons are strong for horror stuff, this is a good show. sparkling and the action moves smoothly along. Indeed, what is really 110 minutes seems about half that running time. Garbo acquits herself superbly in her first role as a comedienne, and still shows that romantic fire in a few scenes which characterized her earlier successes. She is easily a standout, even though Melvyn Douglas runs her a close second for acting honors. As three Comrades, Sig Rumann, Felix Bressart and Alexander Granach are a riot. And just as one thinks all the gags have been used up — bang! comes another at the end to leave one limping from laughter. Ernst Lubitsch has done a remarkable job of direction, has again injected that famous "touch" which makes his films saucy, racy entertainment. Hammer away in all your advertising the fact that this is a comedy. Let the public know that Garbo laughs, and that they'll laugh too. Place teaser cards with the copy, " 'Ninotchka' — don't pronounce it — see it!" in every available spot around town. You should make tieups with jewelry shops, women's shops and men's haberdasheries. Sell "Ninotchka" as the finest directorial achievement of Lubitsch's career. (ADULT). Catchline: "Garbo laughs — and you'll be limp from giggles and guffaws yourself." AUDIENCE SLANT: YOUR PATRONS SHOULD THOROUGHLY ENJOY THIS FROM BEGINNING TO END. BOX OFFICE SLANT: SINCE GARBO'S POPULARITY HAS ABATED SOMEV\/HAT, IT WILL TAKE STRONG ADVANCE SELLING TO ACCORD THIS COMEDY THE PATRONAGE IT DESERVES. Marshal of Mesa City (Hollj'wood Preview) RKO WESTERN 61 mins. (Prod. No. 81— Nat'l Release, Nov. 3) Credits: George O'Brien, Virginia Vale, Leon Ames, Henry Brandon and others. Original screenplay by Jack Lait, Jr. Directed by David Howard. Produced by Bert Gilroy. Plot: Ames, crooked sheriff, has the city of Mesa under control through his domination of the single judge and a series of weak-kneed town marshals. He woos Vale, pretty school teacher and she leaves town to escape. He sends his men to halt the stage and bring her back, but O'Brien gets the drop on them and returns her. When Ames tries to step on his toes, he accepts the proffered position of city marshal. A series of exciting events follow, with Ames hiring Brandon, professional killer to eliminate the marshal and Brandon switching sides when O'Brien saves his life. The sheriff is finally forced out into the open in a battle where Brandon gives his life for law and order, and O'Brien rides on seeking further adventure. Comment: The standard combination of George O'Brien as star, Dave Howard as director and Bert Gilroy as producer, has produced here a better than average western action story, which marks Gilroy's last film before going over to tlie "A" productions. A good story helps and the addition of such capable players as Brandon and Ames makes for material which is sure to please the George O'Brien and action story fans. Plot follows the Western formula rather closely, save that there are less horseback chases than usual. Standing out is the work of Henry Brandon, a young character player, who plays the killer with a style which marks him for bigger spots in the future. Regular George C)'Brien advance stunts can be added to on this one by sending out a street ballyhoo of a slim actor in frock coat and Stetson hat to sell the idea that the marshal has the help of a real bad man in this thriller. (FAMILY) Catchline: "A law-man and a killer in a real clean-up campaign." AUDIENCE SLANT: WILL PLEASE THE GEORGE O'BRIEN AND ACTION FANS. BOX OFFICE SLANT: AVERAGE GEO. O'BRIEN. The Arizona Kid Repubic WESTERN 61 mins. (Nat'l. Release, Sept. 29) Credits: Roy Rogers, George Hayes, Sally March, Stuart Hamblen, Dorothy Sebastian, Earl Dwire and others. Screenplay by Luci Ward and Gerald Geraghty from original story by Luci Ward. Joseph Kane director and associate producer. Plot: Roy and his pal Gabby ride into Kelso, Missouri, to sell their cattle. War between the States is brewing, and Yankee soldiers find hostile territory in which to keep peace. Outstanding trouble maker is Stuart Hamblen, and Roy warns his boyhood friend, David Kerwin, to avoid Stuart. David is engaged to Sally March, another childhood friend of Roy's, but David is bent upon following Stuart. When war comes, Stuart heads a band of his own but brings disgrace upon the Federal Army by pillaging. Roy, also in the Southern Army, is detailed to track down Stuart, but before he does so there are many clashes between Roy and his former pal, David, and the latter faces a firing squad upon capture. Comment: There is plenty of hearty, robust action of the best western style in this well-produced and acted story with a flavoring of historical incident connected with events leading up to and during the Civil War. Rogers sings two numbers with his usual ease and pleasing results. He is a western star still in the ascendant and with this type of vehicle to aid him, is sure to build up to increasing popularity. The picture should please adults as well as the younger element — it has pace, lots of shooting and a good budget of melodramatic incident. Sally March sings nicely and acts the Southern belle appealingly. George "Gabby" Hayes does a fine. character performance and Stuart Hamblen has vigor. Relics owned by local collectors of Civil War costumes, etc., should be solicited for lobby display or basis for story in local paper. Ballyhoo of rider made up as Rogers preferably man who can sing. (FAMILY) Catchline: "He faced death to rid his country of a traitor." AUDIENCE SLANT: COLORFUL BACKGROUND, INTERESTING ACTION. SURE TO PLEASE WESTERN FANS. BOX OFFICE SLANT: ABOVE AVERAGE WESTERN: ROGERS' POPULARITY GROWING. For Additional Exploitation Ideas on These Pictures Consult the Encyclopedia of Exploitation