Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1939)

Page 25 ALL AMERICAN BLONDES Prod. I\o. 142:i Fair Col. All-Star No. 3 17 mins. Comment: It's a big surprise when Andy learns that his new coaching job involves a girl's basketball team, and things become more complicated when gangsters threaten his life if the team (not Andy's) thej^'ve bet on loses the game. For those who like the Clyde style of comedy, this should prove pleasing enough. It was produced and ilirected by Del Lord. Exploitation: Use a cut out of the comedian out in front. You might stage a girl's basketball game on the stage of your theatre as an added attraction at one of the evening performances. MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR Prod. ISo. D9-2 For Music Lovers Para. Symphonic No. 2 9 mins. Comment: Under the able direction of Frederick Feher, the National Philharmonic Orchestra of the U.S.A. plays the lilting overture from one of the world's best known operas, "The Merry Wives of Windsor." Jitterbugs may squirm in their seats, but lovers of classical music will be enthralled by the orchestra's impressive interpretation. The moving camera technique serves to hold the attention of the spectator to an otherwise stationary concert hall setting. Exploitation: Send letters to music societies, music schools and the music editor of the newspaper urging them to be sure to see this short. Try to get a window from the music shop on "The Merry Wives of Windsor" records. ORGAN NOVELTY Prod. No. 5,703 Vita. Variety No. 3 Fair 9 mins. Comment: Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Crawford assisted by their thirteen year old daughter offer several selections on the organ accompanied vocally by Miriam Grahame and Robert Simmons. In addition to the singing there is a dancing scene as background for one of the selections. The selections are fairly good with the rendition of Shadow Waltz a little more prominent than any of the four other numbers. If your audiences go for this type of entertainment this should prove to be enjoyable. Exploitation: Plug the names of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Crawford in your newspaper advertising. Get up a blowup of the Three Crawfords for a lobby display. SCREEN SNAPSHOTS NO. 2 Prod. ]\o. 1852 Above Average Col. Screen Snapshots 10 mins. Comment: Perhaps it's because there's an absence of stars at play or at the bo.xing match or at the football game that makes this issue better than most of those which have preceded it. This time, the training of animals for roles in pictures has been recorded by the camera, and the result is an interesting reel. Of course, there are a few prominent stars, but it's the animals' show, and they perform many unusual tricks. Exploitation: Those who have pets that have been trained to perform clever tricks could be invited to enter them in a contest to take place on the stage of your theatre. Stage a kiddies' pet parade. BUSY LITTLE BEARS Prod. No. V9-2 Splendid Para. Paragraphic No. 2 10 mins. Comment: Here is one of the cleverest and most amusing shorts produced in some time. It deals with the adventures of three inquisitive bear cubs, Horace, Herbert and Herman, who, in the course of an exciting day, have strange experiences with a badger, a porcupine, a skunk and an eagle. This is amusing enough, but the laughs begin when they invade a ranch house. Much of the action takes place against some of the most inspiring scenery of the West. The whole family will be delighted with this. Frank Crumit, famous star of stage and radio, is the narrator. Exploitation: If possible, borrow a cub from the local zoo, and place him in a cage on display in the lobby with a card reading that the rest of his relatives may be seen inside. Conservation clubs. Boy Scouts and other outdoor groups should be notified that this short will prove of special interest to them. SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION Prod. No. 1901 Exceptional Col. Washington Parade No. 1 11 mins. Comment: Devoted to the world-famed Smithsonian Institution, this issue shows many of the relics and treasures which are housed in the building. Prehistoric animals, the first steam engine, the first typewriter, uniforms worn by George Washington, dresses worn by Mrs. Lincoln, Mrs. Hoover and Mrs. Coolidge, examples of early Chinese and Japanese sculpture, the "Spirit of St. Louis" and the "Winnie Mae" are just a few of the things shown and eloquently described by Narrator Basil Ruysdael. Of the subjects in this series, this one is on par with the others, if not better. Exploitation: Relics representing the early life of your own community might be displayed in the lobby. See that school history classes are apprised of your showing. Try to get newspaper clippings of the flights of the "Spirit of St. Louis" and the "Winnie Mae" for a special attraction board on which it is pointed out that these airplanes as well as many other history-making relics and treasures, may be seen in "Smithsonian Institution." TED FIO-RITO AND HIS ORCH. Prod. No. A9-2 Good Para. Headliner No. 2 11 mins. Comment: With Alois Havrilla acting as off-screen emcee to introduce the numbers, Ted Fio-Rito offers a medley of songs written by himself; a symphonic arrangement of "Volga Boatman;" Lee Sullivan singing "Blue Orchids" and finally his musical version of a horse race, "Photo-Finish." For lovers of danceable, swingable music, this subject should prove satisfactory. Leslie Roush directed. Exploitation: Get local night club and radio bands to feature Ted Fio-Rito compositions in honor of your showing. Prizes might be offered to contestants who could identify all the tunes played. The usual tieups with music stores are advised. Display a card in the lobby featuring the Fio-Rito tunes, with the announcement that they'll all be in the subject on view inside. "Gun Play" Gets Magazine Tieup And Car Cards In Many Cities Tieing in the RKO Pathe Sportscope "Gun Play" with Field & Stream has brought about valuable car card space devoted to the current short. Cards were displayed on several New England railroad lines for a month. Copy on these requests passengers to inquire at the theatres when "Gun Play" would have a run. Further copy was devoted to the Sportsscope, its content and data on where to obtain a copv of the complete game laws for the United States and Canada for 1939-40. . . NEWSREEL SYNOPSES . . (Released Saturday, November 11) PARAMOUNT (No. 21 )— Controversy over U. S. shipping; Mayor LaGuardia inspects Queensbridge housing project; Goodwill flight to Rio de Janeiro; Army tests coast defenses; "Ham & Eggs" plan defeated; Bigelow pension plan defeated; Hockey, Chicago Black Hawks vs. Detroit Red Wings; Bicycle race; Football, Cornell vs. Columbia. MOVIETONE (Vol. 22, No. 18)— Array tests coast defenses; Corn husking contest; Dogs for Byrd's Antarctic trip; National Horse Show; Fashions for skating; Leslie Hcre-Belisha gives Britain's attitude; Football, Texas A. & M. vs. Arkansas: Penn vs. Navy; Chicago Bears vs. Bay Packers. NEWS OF THE DAY (Vol. 11, No. 216)— Belgian, Dutch rulers rlead for peace; Leslie Hore-Belisha gives Britain's attitude; Army tests coast defenses; Ham & Eggs nlan defeated; Corn husking contest; Midtown tunrel in New York; Shasta Dam construction; Penn "Mask & Wig" Club celebration; National Horse Show; Football, Yale vs. Dartmouth. PATHE (Vol. 11, No. 33)— Holland prenares for war; Midtown tunnel in New York; Navajo Indian rodeo; Shasta Dam construction; National Horse Show; Armv tests coast defenses. UNIVERSAL (Vol. 11, No. 822)— Army tests coast defenses; New type Navy plane; Ham & Eggs plan defeated; F. D. R. votes; Midtown tunnel; Col. Batista rally in Cuba; Home-made car; National Horse Show; Corn husking contest; Yale vs. Dartm.outh. (Released Wednesday, November 8) PARAMOUNT (No. 20) — Roosevelt signs neutrality bill; Barges load bombing planes ordered by England; Sen. Key Pittman's message; French heavy equipment to Western Front; English divisions take over sector; British high command visits General Gamelin; Soggy terrain bogs down air force; Football, Notre Dame vs. Army; Southern California vs. Oregon State; Penn vs. Navy; Northwestern vs. Minnesota. MOVIETONE (Vol. 22, No. 17)— Roosevelt signs neutrality bill; Production of war supplies speeds up; Scenes of City of Flint; Evacuation of Helsingfors; Scandinavian kings meet; English royalty inspects regiment; British high command visits General Gamelin; Flower fashions; Notre Dame vs. Army; Tennessee vs. L.S.U.; Southern California vs. Oregon State. NEWS OF THE DAY (Vol. 11. No. 215)— Roosevelt signs neutrality bill; Western Front surrenders to "General Mud"; Viscount Gort on tour of Front; British mine sweepers clear North Sea; German prisoners of war in Scotland; Viking states rally to help Finland; Notre Dame vs. Army; Illinois vs. Michigan. PATHE (Vol. 11, No. 32) — Congress repeals arms embargo; Allies mass on Western Front; British and French test wings; British honor own and Nazi dead; Refugees pouring out of Poland ; Notre Dame vs. Army; Princeton vs. Harvard; Center College vs. Cincinnati U. ; Kansas State vs. Kansas U.; Southern California vs. Oregon State; KDKA dedicates new transmitter. UNIVERSAL (Vol. 11, No. 821) — Congress repeals arms embargo; German prisoners in Scotland; Scandinavian kings meet; Finns prepare for war; Activities at the Western Front; Notre Dame vs. Army; Tennessee vs. L.S.U.