Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1941)

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Page 18 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW October 18, 1941 Moon Over Her Shoulder {Continued from Page 15) becomes associated with Dailey, a fisherman. She does not reveal to him her marital status. When he proposes, she gives no answer. The baffled fisherman goes to Sutton for advice, learns Sutton is Lynn's husband, while Sutton learns Dailey is Lynn's "hobby." A fight follows, with Lynn deciding to hold on to her husband for keeps. Comment: Wrapped up in sixty-eight minutes of running time is as enjoyable and entertaining a marital comedy as any audience would want to see. "Moon Over Her Shoulder" isn't likely to get any blue ribbons from the critics, but from the customers— who, after all, are the ones who lay their money on the line to be entertained — it will attract favorable comment. Dealing' along humorous lines with marriage, it will appeal especially to women, and that's always a good omen for the box office. The leading roles are capably performed by Lynn Bari, John Sutton and Dan Dailey, Jr., and Alfred Werker's direction is commendable. Where a little extra effort in showmanship is expended, this picture should show surprising results at the box office. For campaign suggestions, see Showmanalysis in this issue. Catchline: "When hubby told wifie to get a hobby — he didn't mean a glamor-guy!" Ail-American Go-Ed United Artists Comedy-With-Music 48 mins. (Nat'l Release, Oct. 31) AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) Has enough laughs to delight theatregoers of all ages. BOX OFFICE SLANT: Should do well as supporting fare. Cast: Frances Langford, Johnny Downs, Marjorie Woodworth, Noah Beery, Jr., Esther Dale, Harry Langdon, Alan Hale, Jr., Kent Rogers, Allan Lane, Joe Brown. Jr., Irving Mitchell, Lillian Randolph, Carlyle Blackwell, Jr., Mickey, Betty and Martha Tanner. Credits: Producer-Director, LeRoy Prinz. Story by Cortland Fitzsimmons and Kenneth Higgins. Director of photography, Robert Pittack. Musical score, Edward Ward. Plot: A boys' college, constantly being chided by a girls' college for their impersonations, finds a way to get even when the girls' college decides to award scholarships. One of their boys impersonates a girl and joins the other girls headed for the college. There complications arise when he falls in love with the president's niece, but they manage to get together for a happy ending. Comment: Pleasing entertainment that should fare well in the situations for which it was intended. It might have been an outstanding production in the "streamlined features" field if it had lived up to its opening scenes, for it starts off with a bang, but the story falls short as the film progresses and it ends up by being just another program offering. However the comedy sequences, Frances Langford's singing and the ensemble production numbers are sure to be a delight to audiences of all ages. Johnny Downs is swell as a female impersonator, and capably aiding him are Harry Langdon, Marjorie Woodworth, Noah Beery, Jr., and Esther Dale. LeRoy Prinz, producer-director, has done exceptionally well with the material given him. Since the story concerns college theatricals, your best bet is to attract, through your advertising, all schools and colleges in your vicinity. Circularize amateur theatrical groups. Catchline: "A husky queen (?) with a terrific uppercut." Down Mexico Way Republic Western 78 mins. (Prod. No. 42— Nat'l Release, Oct. 15) AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) A treat for the Gene Autry fans by reason of a lavish production. BOX OFFICE SLANT: Vigorous selling should make it register above average for Autry series releases. Cast: Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, Fay McKenzie Harold Huber, Sidney Blackmer, Joe Sawyer, Andrew Tombes, Murray Alper, Arthur Loft, Duncan Renaldo, Paul Fix, Julian Rivero, Ruth Robinson, Thornton Edwards, the Herrera Sisters. Credits: Associate producer, Harry Grey. Directed by Joseph Santley. Screenplay by Olive Cooper and Albert Duffy. Based on a story by Dorrell and Stuart McGowan. Photographed by Jack Marta. Art director, Ralph Oberg. Plot: Two promoters using the names of Gibson and Gerard come to Sage City to finance a movie whose locale will be there. They leave with $35,000 and then Autry discovers they are fakes and takes after them. In Mexico, it is revealed they had been using the names of their bosses. Meantime Gene has learned that no one in Hollywood knows these names. But when he finds Gerard and Gibson are not the two he had met, he almost gives up, forgetting that Hollywood still doesn't know them. Eventually when the promoters try to pin a robbery on him, he turns the tables and captures them all. Comment: This is the second of two special high-budget Autry releases on the '40-'41 program, and the additional money invested in production is visible in the larger scope of the staging and the general tone of the treatment. Acting and story are of the typical western character and plot weaknesses handicap the offering insofar as broadening the appeal to draw non-western followers and convert them to fans for the star is concerned. The Gene Autry fans, to repeat, will take the picture in stride overlooking, as perhaps many of those in the non-western class will not, the plot-flaw which evidences itself in connection with the hero's mental lapses when he conveniently (for the plot) accepts the crooks on good faith though previouslv informed that there were no producers known by their names. Smiley Burnette is in his usual role but here has a part which is somewhat subdued in favor of Harold Huber, who plays the role of an exbandit with flourishing gusto. Fay McKenzie is believable as a Senorita. There are some elaborate sets, striking photographic effects and a large company to make the picture attractive from the visual standpoint. Play up Autry as the star of actionful, exciting BLACKOUT A KNOCKOUT Many stunts accomplished by theatremen come under the heading of showmanship, but none were ever more deserving of the title than the bit of smart exploitation put over by Manager J. Harry Abbott of the Grant Theatre, Georgetown, Ohio, on behalf of "I Wanted Wings." He succeeded in getting the Mayor to set aside the night before the opening for a blackout, with the power company agreeing to shut off all lights. Then he borrowed an air-plane sound effects record from WLW, Cincinnati. At blackout time, the record was played over a public address system, mounted in the courthouse tower, with the sound of airplane motors gradually increasing in volume as the lights were blacked out. To increase the effect, a dozen aerial bombs which had been spotted around town were cut loose. At the close of the blackout, Abbott spoke through the mike with an appeal for national defense cooperation and a strong plug for "I Wanted Wings." The stunt was a terrific success. The cost: a lot of hard work and $3 for fireworks. And business was increased 40 per cent above normal. entertainment the super-western star of today offers. Employ the tieups with Autry licensees, and work up displays and merchant cooperation of music stores via the film's music. Catchline: "Gene and gay Senoritas find laughter and romance 'neath the blue skies of Old Mexico." Jesse James at Bay Republic Western 56 mins. (Prod. No. 151— Nat'l Release, Oct. 17) AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) Fulfills the action fans' demand for gunplay, hard riding and fisticuffs. BOX OFFICE SLANT: Business might go slightly above average, with the Jesse James angle accounting for extra patronage. Cast: Roy Rogers, George "Gabby" Hayes, Sally Payne, Pierre Watkin, Ivan Miller, Hal Taliaferro, Gale Storm, Roy Barcroft, Jack Kirk. Credits: Associate Producer and Director, Joseph Kane. Screenplay by James R. Webb. Original story by Harrison Jacobs. Director of photography William Nobles. Musical direction, Cy Feuer. Plot: Jesse James (Rogers) settles down, but not for long, because Watkin, railroad president, is fleecing the settlers out of land they bought. To complicate matters, an outlaw who resembles Jesse is working for Watkin. But eventually Sheriff George "Gabby" Hayes, with the help of Jesse, rounds up Watkin and his gang. Comment: As an outlaw, Roy Rogers is "killed" ; as the hero, he wins the girl — all in one picture. It's a dual role for the popular cowboy star, but it is hard to mask his good nature and congeniality with a black hat and a two-day growth of whiskers. Result : his "evil side" is not convincing. As the retired Jesse who returns to work on the side of law and order, however, he is the Roy Rogers his fans like. The picture moves along smoothly, fulfills the action fans' desire for gunplay, hard riding, fisticuffs, etc. Gale Storm is a most attractive heroine, while impish Sally Payne adds further feminine interest in a more or less amusing vein. Suave and sinister, Pierre Watkin does well as the villain. "Wanted" cards posted on poles leading into town, a print of the picture being "stolen" by a man dressed as James (tip off the police department beforehand), a music shop tieup on the songs — these are representative stunts that can be incorporated in your campaign. Catchline: "Jesse James rides again . . . into action, thrills and adventure!" Flying Cadets Universal Drama 60 mins. (Prod. No. not set— Nat'l Release, Oct. 24) AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) Should please action fans, youngsters and adolescents. BOX OFFICE SLANT: Suitable for week-end action booking. Cast: William Gargan, Edmund Lowe, Peggy Moran, Frank Albertson, Frankie Thomas, Roy Harris, Charles Williams, John Maxwell, George Melford. Arch Hendricks, Louis Lorimer. Credits: Associate Producer, Paul Malvern. Directed by Erie C. Kenton. Original screenplay by Joseph West, Roy Chanslor. Stanley Rubin. Director of photography, John W. Boyle. Musical direction, H. J. Salter. Plot: To attract students to his flying school, Albertson engages his brother, Lowe, ace flyer and soldier of fortune. Student Frankie Thomas is an ardent admirer of Lowe but fails in his first flying test. When he overhears Lowe telling Gargan, another instructor, that "the kid should be sent home," he decides on a desperate move to prove himself to the man he worships. After he has gone aloft, Lowe discovers the boy is his son by the wife Lowe was separated from years ago. Frankie is brought down safely, and father and son are united. Comment: While the picture as a whole