Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1940)

April 27, mo SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW Page 13 brings along her kid sister, Lana Turner, and when they arrive, Lana is given the dancing spot opposite Murphy and Joan has to be satisfied with a job as cigarette girl. Murphy, in spite of himself, falls for little sister Lana and between them they try to keep the knowledge from Joan. In order to do what she thinks is the right thing, Lana decides to marry Kent Taylor, sponsor of the radio show that helped Murphy, but Murphy manages to break up the wedding. Joan, when she realizes what is going on, invents a tall tale about a vaudeville offer which must take her away immediately, leaving Lana and Pat on their own. She returns to her dancing school while the other two continue their dancing careers as mister and missus. Comment: Although the plot is well-worn, patterned after the first "Broadway Melody" picture, this film has plenty of entertainment due mostly to the fine trouping of the cast. A new dance team, Lana Turner and George Murphy comes through with flying colors, both in the dance sequences and the histrionic portions of the picture, but it is their dancing that will send most audiences home pleased. The story is the usual back-stage variety ; and the direction of S. Sylvan Simon lifts it above the material. In addition to Lana Turner and Murphy, Joan Blondell turns in one of the finest performances of her career. In the supporting cast, Kent Taylor, Wallace Ford and Richard Lane are splendid in their respective roles. The picture has two swell song numbers, plenty of amusing gags and moves along at a neat pace from beginning to end. For exploitation see Showmanalysis on page 11, issue of April 20. (FAMILY) Catchline: "Two girls went to Broadway, but only one made good." AUDIENCE SLANT: PLENTY OF ENTERTAINMENT FOR LOVERS OF LIGHT SCREENFARE. BOX OFFICE SLANT: STRONG ENOUGH FOR TOP BILLING IN MOST SITUATIONS. Captain Moonlight Atlas Pictures Drama 58 mins. (Nat'l Release, April 17) Cast: John Garrick, Winifred Shotter, Stanley HoUoway, John Stuart, Leslie Perrins, Mary Lawson, Charles Carson. Credits: Directed by Henry Edwards. Story by Charles CuIIum. Adaptation and dialogue by H. Fowler Mear. Plot: When Perrins, a card sharp, tries to back out on his promise to marry Mary Lawson, the sweetheart of the regiment, Garrick forces him to go through with the ceremony. For revenge, Perrins has his henchmen waylay Garrick and kill him, but they fail in the attempt, although Perrins doesn't know it. This happens in Belgium. Later, in London, Perrins lives under an assumed name, and offers, to cancel a gambling debt if the debtor will let him marry his daughter. After the ceremony is over, Garrick turns up and recognizing Perrins, tells the bride's father of his past. He finally corners the villain, and in a duel, overpowers him. Garrick is free to marry. Comment: This English importation is bad, and at best will serve only as filler on a dual bill. The continuity is jerky, and the performances are stilted, although John Garrick manages to sing a number or two fairly well. As far as the title is concerned. Captain Moonlight has very little to do with the actual story, and fans who are expecting a lot of adventure and excitement will be sorely disappointed. They may, however, enjoy a few good laughs, for many of the situations that are intended to be serious seem like reminders of old-fashioned melodramas. There are no names of interest to American theatregoers, thus making it necessary to bolster the bill with a stronger feature. Interest may be aroused in advance by using the title in a series of teaser advertisements. (ADULT) Catchline: "He saved the girl he loved from a notorious gambler." AUDIENCE SLANT: THEY'LL BE BORED. BOX OFFICE SLANT: IT WILL NEED THE SUPPORT OF A STRONGER FEATURE. For booking information, write Atlas Film Exchange, 723 Seventh Ave., N. Y. C. Tomboy Monogram Drama 70 mins. (Prod. No. 3911— Nat'l Release, April 20) Cast: Marcia Mae Jones, Jackie Moran, Grant Withers, Charlotte Wynters, George Cleveland, Marvin Stephens, Clara Blandick, Gene Morgan. Credits: Scott R. Dunlap in charge of production. Associate producer, William T. Lackey. Directed by Robert McGowan. Screenplay by Dorothy Reid and Marion Orth. Photographed by Harry Neumann. Film editor, Russell Schoengarth. Plot: Marcia and her father. Withers, a retired baseball player, come to Centerville to live. She meets Jackie, who lives with his mean uncle, Cleveland, on a farm. Cleveland does not approve of school, and wants Jackie to spend all his time working. Humiliated at a country dance because his uncle has ordered him home, Jackie decides to run away, and heads for the railroad station. At the same moment two tramps break into the house and steal some money from Cleveland, who blames Jackie for the theft. But Marcia and Withers go after the boy, tell him what has happened. He tackles the tramps, who were waiting at the station with him, and with the help of Withers, subdues them. Withers announces his marriage to the school teacher, Charlotte Wynters, and Marcia and Jackie are happy. Comment: The metropolitan critics are not likely to award it a gold statuette, or even a brass one, for that matter ; but in the averagesized towns throughout the country the masses will be pleased with this entertaining little program picture. With a rural community as its background, plus a story that, while not taxing the imagination, is nevertheless plausible and interesting, "Tomboy" should do best outside the big cities,, and that takes in a lot of territory. It's possible that even in the metropolitan districts, patrons who are tired of murders and gangsters will warm up to the film's homespun qualities. In the leading role, Marcia Mae Jones turns in a neat performance, proving that a bright future lies ahead for her. Some reach stardom almost overnight, only to fade out as quickly ; but Marcia Mae keeps plugging on in her own quiet way, gaining the experience that will stand her in good stead when that "big day" comes along. Jackie Moran is likeable as the over-worked farm lad, while George Cleveland, as his cruel uncle, is just as thoroughly despicable. Grant Withers, Charlotte Wynters, Marvin Stephens and Clara Blandick handle their assignments capably. Robert McGowan's direction is satisfactory. Get the interest of the young folk by organizing a baseball tournament between boys and "tomboys." The most popular "tomboy" might be elected, and apples could be offered kids attending a special matinee. (FAMILY) Catchline: "She's a regular fellow . . . who'd rather have a fight than a 'date.' " AUDIENCE SLANT: IT WILL PLEASE THE MASSES. BOX OFFICE SLANT: BUSINESS SHOULD BE GOOD ON FAMILY NIGHT; AT OTHER TIMES, EXTRA FEATURE SUPPORT MAY BE NECESSARY. Rhythm of the Rio Grande (Hollywood Preview) Mono. M usicdl ^^este^n 55 mins. (Prod. No. 3953, Nat'l Release, March 2) Cast: Tex Ritter, Suzan Dale, Warner Richmond, Martin Garralaga, Frank Mitchell, Mike J. Rodriguez, Juan Duval, Tristram Coffin, Forrest Taylor, Glenn Strange and others. Credits: Original screenplay, Robert Emmett, Marcel A. DePicard. Music by Frank Harford and Johnny Lange & Lew Porter. Directed by Al Herman. ' Produced by Edward Finney. Plot: Tex Ritter and his pal, Frank Mitchell, ride north from Texas seeking a friend who had written him about making a gold strike in a ranching area. They find raiders trying to burn out a ranch house and drive them away, only to have Suzan Dale, daughter of the owner, accuse them of being (Continued on page 17) It ain't no use, Higgins. Yoo think you can start a phone/ gold rush to RUSSELL Vlkkif^Wwl^ l do you? Well, we got HARRY DAVENPORT • LOIS RANSON \ ° ''"'e justice of our MAXIE ROSENBLOOM' ARTURO GODOY^%own for fellows^ DIRECTED BY GUS MEINS like youl A REPUBLIC PICTURE