Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1939)

November 25, 1939 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW Page 7 outstanding. In fact, Andy Devine's characterization is the best of his career. Director Paul Sloane, who was also responsible for the original screenplay, deserves a great deal of credit for a powerful, speedy production. With proper exploitation, stressing the action angle, the picture will do okay at the boxoffice. Displaj' of Indian relics might be made part of your lobby display. Barker, out front, could be dressed as Indian Chief, with feathers, war paints, etc. Feathers with copy imprinted should be distributed around town by boys and girls dressed as Indians. For street ballyhoo, riders on horseback, in Indian costumes, could be used. (FAMILY) Catchline: "The spectacular Indian War of American History, brought to the screen." AUDIENCE SLANT: VIGOROUS ACTION SCREEN FARE FOR THE LOVERS OF OUTDOOR DRAMA. BOX OFFICE SLANT: WILL PLEASE Vk'HERE ACTION PICTURES ARE POPULAR. Four Wives (Hollywood Preview) WB DRAMA 112 mins. (Prod. No. not set— Nat'l Release, Dec. 25) Credits: Priscilla Lane, Rosemary Lane, Lola Lane, Gale Page, Claude Rains, Jeffery Lynn, Eddie Albert, May Robson, Frank McHugh, Dick Foran, Henry O'Neill, and John Garfield as he appeared in "Four Daughters." Screenplay by Julius J. and Philip G. Epstein and Maurice Hanline. Suggested by the book, "Sister Act," by Fannie Hurst. Directed by Michael Curtiz. Executive Producer, Hal Wallis. Plot: Priscilla, widow of Garfield, is engaged to marry Lynn, a composer. Learning she is to become the mother of Garfield's child, she feels her engagement to Lynn must end, although he tries to assure her otherwise. He leaves on a concert tour, but she begs him to return. The baby is born — a girl. Priscilla and Lynn marry. The other sisters, all married with the exception of Rosemary, eventually become mothers of daughters. Rains ponders over the fact that he had four daughters, but now has four granddaughters. Rosemary and Albert, being wed, are his last hope for a boy. Comment: This picture which Warners has made as a sequel to the highly successful "Four Daughters" is not only a worthy successor but tops the others with its wealth of humor and down-to-earth portrayals. It has the original fine cast and the same elements that made "Four Daughters" such exceptional screen fare, by so ably molding the everyday happenings to everyday folks. Amusing and heart-tugging by turn, it is excellent entertainment and Michael Curtiz has directed it with an unfailing eye towards realism and his flawless work makes it sincere and full of warmth. Each and every member of the cast delivers distinctive performances including the new addition to the family, Eddie Albert. Hal B. Wallis and Henry Blanke should be commended for a real box office hit. Contact dress shops and department stores for tieups _ on women's apparel, arranging cooperative displays and newspaper ads. Tieups can be made with book shops, music stores and infants' accessories shops. (FAMILY) Catchline: "The four daughters have now grown up to become four wives." AUDIENCE SLANT: EXCELLENT ENTERTAINMENT ABOUT EVERYDAY HAPPENINGS TO EVERYDAY FOLKS. BOX OFFICE SLANT: SHOULD DO A BUSINESS EQUAL TO THAT OF "FOUR DAUGHTERS." Wanted . . . Gags for Kirschbaum Diciv Kirschbaum, who's been creating and drawing cartoons about Gliitz the Demon Theatre Manager, for the past eleven years ivants theatremen to submit some funny gags for him to illustrate. At one time all of Dick's cartoon gags were suggested by STR readers. ISow ue want them to come across again. Here's the proposition : Anyone submitting a cartoon idea that Dick can illustrate in his Kirschbaum's Korner series will receive the original cartoon carrying proper credit to the creator of the gag used. So get busy. Send in your gags and Dick will do the drawing and STR will send you the original cartoon. Julius Lamm, manager of the Uptown Theatre, Cleveland, just submitted a gag. How about you? Rovin' Tumbleweeds Republic WESTERN 64 mins. (Prod. No. 848— Nat'l Release, Nov. 16) Credits: Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, Mary Carlisle, Douglas Dumbrille, Pals of the Golden West, William Farnum, Lee "Lasses" White, Ralph Peters, others. Original screenplay by Betty Burbridge, Dorrell McGowan and Stuart McGowan. Directed by George Sherman. Associate Producer, William Berke. Plot: Autry, having succeeded as a radio singing star, is persuaded to run for Congress, which to him is a chance to save the flood refugees by means of a flood control bill. Dumbrille, politician, has other plans for him. In Washington, Autry's attempts to introduce the bill meet with failure. But when a flood again begins its torrential flow of destruction, this time in the valley which Dumbrille had been trying to drive the refugees out, he sees his mistake in having opposed the bill, and promises to see it pushed through. Comment: The Autry fans will certainly be proud of their hero this time. First, he attains success as a radio singer; then he is elected to Congress by an overwhelming majority. His fists speak when it comes to senators or lobbyists who oppose him. And he directs the ranchers in their efforts to 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 save the levee during a cloudburst. All this may seem a little too much for the sophisticates, but ardent Autry admirers will lake it in their stride. In his brief but impressive role as Senator Nolan, William Farnum proves he is still a splendid trouper. Douglas Dumbrille does equally as well as the scheming politician. Autry sings several hummable cowboy tunes, and the Pals of the West lend good accompaniment. Sell the song hits by tieing up with music shops and department stores. Distribute fan photos of Autry. There are many national ticujjs suggested in the press book. (FAMILY) Catchline: "Gene gets the low-down on big-time rustlers." AUDIENCE SLANT: THE ACTION FANS V/ILL EAT IT UP, BUT SOPHISTICATES WILL TERM IT INCREDIBLE. BOX OFFICE SLANT: IF AUTRY RINGS THE BOX OFFICE BELL IN YOUR TOV^U, THERE SHOULD BE A LOUD GONG WHEN YOU PLAY THIS. Saga of Death Valley Republic WESTERN 58 mins. (Prod. No. 952— Nat'l Release, Nov. 22) Credits: Roy Rogers, George "Gabby" Hayes, Donald Barry, Doris Day, Frank M. Thomas, Jack Ingram, Hal Taliaferro, Lew Kelly, Fern Emmett, Tommy Bak'er, Buz Buckley. Screenplay by Stuart Anthony and Karen De Wolf. Original story by Karen De Wolf. Associate Producer-Director, Joseph Kane. Plot: When Rogers' fatlier protests the unjust means by which Thomas has wrested his land from him, Thomas kills him and kidnaps Rogers' brother, the only witness. Many years later, Thomas is still dunning things his own way, aided and abetted by Barry, the kidnapped youth now grown up and supposedly Thomas' nephew. Rogers, after being away many years, returns to take over his father's ranch, and while appearing to pay tribute to Thomas, organizes the ranchers to fight him. Angered by this, Thomas decides to blow up the dam, the valley's only source of water. But Rogers and his men prevent it, and Thomas is killed b}' Barry when the latter learns he has been a tool of the tj'rant. Comment: Roj' Rogers should maintain his popularitj' rating, for here he is in another of those actionful, well-directed outdoor films that thus far have sent his stock soaring. Production treatment and performances, plus sharp and beautiful photography, are attributes which, had they been absent, would have detracted from the film's value as entertainment for the masses. The story is logical, too, and not just an excuse for a western setting. Rogers sings just enough to please his fans and takes the "acting" out of his performance with his natural charm and sincerity. In supporting roles, Donald Barry, Frank M. Thomas and Doris Day are splendid. George "Gabby" Hayes is, as alwaj'S, dependable. Employ your customary angles in selling a picture of this type. Distribute fan fotos through music shops and department store tieups. (FAMILY) Catchline: "Thrills ... as Roy tackles a water czar of the plains in a whirlwind of action." AUDIENCE SLANT: PARK AVENUE RESIDENTS MIGHT NOT CARE FOR IT, BUT THE FOLK ON MAIN STREET (THE MASSES) WILL FIND IT MUCH TO THEIR LIKING. BOX OFFICE SLANT: WHEREVER THEY GO FOR OUTDOOR PICTURES AND ROY ROGERS, THERE WILL THE TICKET MACHINES CLICK OFTEN. (More Box Office Slants on Page 12) For Additional Exploitation Ideas on These Pictures Consult Encyclopedia of Exploitation— See Back Cover