Showmen's Trade Review (Jul-Sep 1940)

Page 20 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW August 10, 1940 Streamlined lExcellenf} RKO-Pathe (4611) Reelism No. 1 1 9 mins. From the old "iron horse" to the chrome, streamHned train of today, from the old red plush to the last word in interior decorating, the developments of railroading are recorded in this excellent short subject. All the advantages of the modern train are shown, and the audience gets glimpses of the beautiful scenery in New Mexico, Kansas, Colorado and California as the Chicago-Los Angeles train makes its way like a silver streak to the Coast ; of Florida, as the eastern Seaboard special runs from New York to Miami. Proved conclusively is the fact that despite opposition in travel, railroads have kept up with the times. Frank Donovan produced the subject, which is a natural for tieups and cooperation from railroad companies and travel agencies. Information Please No. 13 (Amusing) RKO-Paihe (4213) Information Please 9 mins. There are lots of laughs in this latest edition of "Information Please." Elmer Davis, news commentator, is again guest-guesser, appearing with the regulars : Oscar Levant, Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran. The experts are asked by Clifton Fadiman to identify dresses worn between 1905 and ^928 ; to give the entire poem from a last-word-of-eachline clue ; to name the famous man who came from each of several cities named, and to identify musical instruments playing selections behind a screen. Levant is responsible for most of the amusement. Your campaign outline for others of this series should suffice for this one, which was produced by Frank Donovan. Eskimo Trails* (Enlighfening] 20th-Fox (I 101) Magic Carpet No. I 10 mins. Father Hubbard studies ethnology on this expedition, trying to determine whether all the Eskimos are related. Pursuing his investigations reveals many of the customs and living habits of the Eskimos which is considerable enlightenment on a subject about which little is known. Russ Sheilds arranged this one. (Released Saturday, Aug. 10) PARAMOUNT (No. 99)— Maneuvers show up arms need; Roosevelt greets Pan-American delegates; Willkie at farm parley; Forest fire menace in Montana; Exiles further British cause; Tribute to lost seamen; J. Edgar Hoover speaks against spies; N. Y. police inspect bomb; Union City bomb hoax; Hunt for World's Fair bombers; Defense industries get armed guards. MOVIETONE (Vol. 22, No. 96) — Italy attacks Africa; British convoy in Channel; New defense measures in Britain; Bombing of Dover Harbor; J. Edgar Hoover speaks against spies; N. Y. police inspect bomb; Roosevelt greets Pan-American delegates; Willkie at farm parley; Flint motor festival; National Guard war maneuvers (Seattle and Portland only); Marblehead sailing regatta; Woman diver. NEWS OF THE DAY (Vol. U, No. 294)— U. S. wars on Fifth Column; British mass for African battle; Convoy in Channel; Dover repels Nazi air raiders; Roosevelt hails Pan-American unity; Willkie at farm parley; N. Y. police inspect bomb; Michigan speedboat race; Water scooters race; Daredevil auto racing at Marquette, Mich. PATHE (Vol. 11, No. Ill)— Willkie at farm parley; Niles Trammel speaks on defense; British liner hit by Nazis puts in at Brazil; Old radio towers torn down; Roosevelt greets Pan-American delegates; Woolen garments for British; Flint motor festival; Oxford children at Yale; Skeet shooting; N. Y. police inspect bomb. UNIVERSAL (Vol. 12, No. 90O)— Flint motor festival; Army recruits at San Pedro; New military highway; Electric machine gun; Roosevelt greets PanAmerican delegates; Orphans at Long Beach, L. I.; Willkie at farm parley; Nazi bombers raid English ports; Skeet shooting; New speedboat record set; FIRST RUN SHORT PRODUCT BROADWAY, NEW YORK (Week Beginning August 10) CAPITOL— Modern New Orleans (MGM) rev. 6-1-40; Tom Turkey and his Harmonica Humdingers (MGM) rev. 7-27-40; Trifles of Importance (MGM) rev. 7-27-40. GLOBE— Eskimo Bride (Hoffberg) ; SniiTles Takes a Trip (Vita.). PARAMOUNT— Pacific Paradise (Para.) rev. 7-13-40; Snubbed by a Snob (Para.). RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL— The Billposters (RKO-Disney) rev. 5-25-40. RIALTO— 'Taint Legal (RKO) ; Action on Ice (20th-Fox). ROXY— Bill Mouse's Akwakade (20th-Fox) rev. this issue; Vacation Time (20th-Fox) rev. this issue. STRAND— Riding into Society (Vita.) ; Gander at Mother Goose (Vita.) rev. 5-18-40; Famous Movie Dogs (Vita.) rev. 7-27-40. Spoils of Conquest f Good J RKO (3112) March of Time No. 12 17 mins. This is more or less like most of the travelogues of the Dutch East Indies, which are the spoils referred to in the title. The people, industries, crops and defenses of the islands are shown in considerable detail, with some emphasis laid on plans for defending them, a necessity which may arise momentarily. The trend of events in the daily newspaper will have a great deal to do with how much interest this subject will provoke. Sell it in that way. Grunters and Groaners* (Tiresome) 20th-Fox ( 1401 ) Dribble Puss Parade No. I 10 mins. This entire reel deals with wrestling embellished by Lew Lehr's commentary. It gets tiresome after a while and the wom^n folk won't like it at all. There's a good deal of old fashioned brutality and the laughter will probably be more derisive than approving. A little of this sort of thing in the newsreel goes a long way but ten minutes is too much. Arranged by Dave Cooper. Sell it to the wrestling fans and as a comedy. Skiing at Mt. Baker, Wash. ; Marblehead sailing regatta. (Released, Wednesday, Aug. 7) PARAMOUNT (No. 98)— Train wreck in Ohio; Stanford U. students have trailer theatre; U. S. Army tests biggest peace force; Army parachute troops begin tests; Lindbergh, Pershing give views on war situation; Air war rages over English Channel. MOVIETONE (Vol. 22, No. 95)— Britain prepared against invasion; King inspects Home Guard; Naval units on land patrol; New armored cars for British army ; Air hero's fiancee honored ; England's coast defense guns on alert; Nazi planes bomb convoys; General Pershing and Colonel Lindbergh discuss neutrality; Fur fashions; Mississippi flood-control project completed; Aquaplaning on the Pacific. NEWS OF THE DAY (Vol. 11, No. 293)— Britain braces for invasion; Nazi bombers downed in Channel raids; Lindbergh vs. Pershing in war debate; U. S. opens school for parachute troops; Championship tennis meet at Seabright, N. J. ; Aquaplaning on the Pacific. PATHE (Vol. 11, No. 110)— Lindbergh vs. Pershing in war debate; Nazi dive bombers fail against English ships; U. S. trains parachute troops; Theatre on wheels touring west (except Atlanta, Charlotte, Memphis and New Orleans) ; Dead air hero's girl carries on; Aquaplaning on the Pacific; National Junior A.A.U. swim meet (Atlanta, Charlotte, Memphis and New Orleans only) ; Mississippi flood-control project completed. UNIVERSAL (Vol. 12, No. 899)— Pershing urges aid to Britain; British planes rout Nazi bombers over Channel; Ohio train wreck; Willkie meets G.O.P. leaders; U. S. trains parachute troops; British seaplane reaches U. S. ; Coast Guard's 150th birthday; Aquaplaning on the Pacific; Hat fashions. Coraliing a Schoolmarm fGoodi RKO (3504) Western Musical No. 4 20 mins. This series of Ray Whitley Western Musicals should be welcome short subject entertainment for audiences, and a good tonic for any program. "Coraliing a Schoolmarm," for example, shows off the 6 Bar Cowboys to good advantage and tells an amusing little tale besides. It seems that Whitley and his boys play for the pupils of Virginia Vale at the request of a well-to-do ranchman, who seeks the hand of the pretty teacher. Virginia, however, is secretly in love with Whitley. Misunderstandings arise when the rancher delegates Whitley to do his proposing for him. But all ends happily. The music is easy on the ears, and Virginia Vale is exceedingly soothing to the eyes. Charles Roberts directed. Instrumental tieups with music shops should be made in selling the subject. Perhaps you can get a fellow with a guitar to dress as a cowboy and walk around the business district carrying a sign plugging the short. Donald's Vacation (A Scream) RKO (4109) Disney Cartoon No. 9 8 mins. Floating down the river in his collapsible canoe, Donald Duck comes to an ideal camp site. Transforming the canoe into a tent is simple, but when he tries to open a complicated folding chair, his troubles begin. Chipmunks converge on the scene and make away with his food. Finally, he encounters a bear, and after a series of hilarious incidents, flees in his canoe. This Technicolor cartoon rates right at the top with the other Disneys. It's swell entertainment. Cutouts of Donald Duck in the lobby and mention of the cartoon on your marquee are advised. You might tie up with a sporting goods store on camping equipment. Land of Flowers (ColorfuO 20th-Fox (1102) Magic Carpet No. 2 9 mins. This is the first of the Magic Carpet series in Technicolor. It's a beautiful subject and the camera has obtained some of Florida's most colorful scenes for inclusion, among them being scenes of Marineland and St. Augustine, well-known tourist meccas. Sell it through travel agencies, etc. but hold up playing it until November. Russ Sheilds arranged the subject and Lew Lehr edited. Billy Mouse's Akwakade* f £xce//enf i 20th-Fox (1551) Tech. Terrytoon No. I 7 mins. In the manner of the famed Billy Rose's Aquacade, the mice dive in and out of the bathtub and have a grand time. But they finally awake the dog and the cat who have a battle royal trying to catch the elusive mice. This is one of the best cartoons Paul Terry has made and makes an excellent start for the new season. Vacation Time* (O.K.) 20th-Fox (130!) Sports No. I 8 mins. This Technicolor subject shows all manner of sports as indulged in Florida, ranging from boat racing and aquaplaning to shuffleboard and checkers. The Technicolor makes it interesting. It would be advisable to hold up playing it until November when the Florida season starts. Russ Sheilds arranged this subject and Ed Thorgersen is the commentator. Tie up with travel agencies selling trips to Florida. *lndicates 1940-41 Release . NEWSREEL SYNOPSES