Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1941)

Page 18 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW October 25, 1941 Shadow of the Thin Man MGM Mystery Comedy 97 mins. (Prod. No. 210) AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) Skillful blending of mystery and comedy puts this up on top with the best offered in "The Thin Man" cycle. BOX OFFICE SLANT: Should equal and may even better receipts for others in the series. Cast: William Powell, Myrna Loy, Barry Nelson, Donna Reed, Sam Levene, Alan Baxter, Henry O'Neill, Dickie Hall, Loring Smith, Joseph Anthony, Stella Adler, Lou Lubin. Louise Beavers and Asta. Credits: Directed by Major W. S. Van Dyke II. Produced by Hunt Stromberg. Screenplay by Irving Brecher and Harry Kurnitz. From a story by Harry Kurnitz. Based upon characters created by Dashiell Hammett. Director of photography, William Daniels. Art director, Cedric Gibbons. Plot: Powell, stumbling on the scene of a murder, is urged to investigate by Lieut. Sam Levene but he doesn't get interested in the case until, while attending a wrestling match, he runs into another murder. Despite considerable interference from his wife, Powell continues the investigation until he successfully solves the murder. Comment: Comedy is so cleverly blended with mystery in this show that lovers of either type of picture can be assured of seeing just what they want. It's smart comedy and yet there's a generous supply of action in the picture, making it popular with the classes as well as the masses. This time the Nick Charles family besides a dog, has a son, who while he doesn't figure in the plot, furnishes the background for some of the comedy. Powell plays his role as usual to perfection and Myrna Loy, looking more lovely than ever is an excellent foil for him while maintaining her own in the comedy field as well. Aside from the two principals, the best part is handled well by Sam Levene, who should make a name for himself by his performance in this picture. Of course, by now every exhibitor as well as the public knows that the title doesn't mean a thing because there is no Thin Man in the story unless it be Powell himself. But the title serves to identify the picture as one of that excellent series and that should go a long way toward bringing the public in. Aside from that, any exploitation should stress the comedy and the mystery equally in order to get the benefit of patronage from both groups of fans. Catchline: "Nick Charles solves another case — with the greatest of ease." MGM Two-Faced Woman Comedy 94 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Adult) Garbo scores in a delightful comedy; will register solidly with any audience. BOX OFFICE SLANT: Should draw well in all situations, particularly if exhibitors highlight its laugh-provoking entertainment qualities in advertising. Cast: Greta Garbo, Melvyn Douglas, Constance Bennett, Roland Young, Robert Sterling, Ruth Gordon, Frances Carson. Credits: Produced by Gottfried Reinhardt. Directed by George Cukor. Original screenplay by S. N. Behrman, Salka Viertel and George Oppenheimer. Suggested by a play by Ludwig Fulda. Director of photography, Joseph Ruttenberg. Art direction, Cedric Gibbons. Dance direction, Bob Alton. Special effects, Warren Newcombe. Musical score, Bronislau Kaper. Plot: Wealthy magazine publisher Melvyn Douglas, while at a skiing resort, meets, falls in love with and marries Greta Garbo, Legion of Decency Ratings (For Week Ending Oct. 25) SUITABLE FOR GENERAL PATRONAGE Down Mexico Way Riders of the Timberline Gauchos of Eldorado Roaring Frontiers Silver Stallion SUITABLE FOR ADULTS ONLY Chocolate Soldier How Green Was My Valley Appointment for Love Suspicion who teaches skiing, cares for little else. Their temperaments clash when he finds he must end his holiday, return to his job. He leaves without Garbo, resumes an old romance with Constance Bennett in New York. Later, Garbo goes to the city, pretends to be her twin sister, "lets her hair down" by dancing, swimming, playing and loving in a manner quite unlike her "sister," causing Douglas to fall in love again. When he returns to the resort to "tell all" to the woman he married, Garbo is already there, having rushed ahead by plane. He soon discovers the deception, but loves her all the more. Comment: It started with "Ninotchka" — this transformation of a tragedienne to a comedienne. And now the transformation has been completed in "Two-Faced Woman," for this comedy brings to audiences not only a glamorous Garbo but a laughing, loving, high-spirited, captivating Garbo. Moviegoers who heretofore felt that her dramatic art was not too appealing to their cinematic tastes will do an about-face, take her to their hearts as a result of her latest performance. The dialogue crackles with witty lines, many of which are lost in the din of laughter, and some of the situations, bordering on pure slapstick, will bring down the house. It seems strange to point to a Garbo offering as being solid audience stuff, but that's the happy truth about "Two-Faced Woman." Melvyn Douglas, always dependable, delivers his share of humor in a tailor-made role, while Constance Bennett, with a new hair-do, scores high in the laughter poll with a characterization different from most of her usual assignments. George Cukor's direction is in no small way responsible for the film's sparkle and gaiety. Some critics may find a fault or two with the result as a whole, but audiences, whether in Bennett's Switch, Ind. or Boston, Mass., will find it delightful, invigorating fun. Therefore, in your campaign, go in for all sorts of gags and promotions that will impart the comedy angle to the public. Catchline: "Meet a gay, lovable, down-toearth Garbo in the new season's most laughter-laden comedy." THEATRE OWNERS ATTENTION • AVAILABLE AFTER OCT. 25 SHOWMAN of EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCE and ABILITY. BUYING — BOOKING — PUBLICITY Specialist in Circuit or Single Theatre Operation. BOX M-35, SHOWMEN'S. TRADE REVIEW 1501 BROADWAY, NEW YORK CITY Gauchos of Eldorado Republic Western 56 mins. (Prod. No. 162— Nat'l Release, Oct. 24) AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) A good script helps to make this an outstanding Mesquiteers subject for the western fans. BOX OFFICE SLANT: Should do excellent business. Cast: Bob Steele, Tom Tyler, Rufe Davis, Lois Collier, Duncan Renaldo, Rosina Galli, Norman Willis, William Ruhl, Tony Roux, Raphael Bennett, Yakima Canutt. Credits: Associate Producer, Louis Gray. Directed by Les Orlebeck. Screenplay by Albert DeMond. Based on a story by Earle Snell. Based on characters created by William Colt MacDonald. Director of photography, Reggie Lanning. Musical score, Cy Feuer. Plot: When Renaldo learns the whereabouts of his mother and sister, from whom he has been separated since childhood, he deserts Willis' gang, takes some of its stolen money. Fatally wounded while escaping, he manages to send Steele to his mother with the money. Complications set in when the mother believes Steele to be her son, but they're all settled at the end. Comment: Action, gun battles, hard riding— all this, and a good script, too, make "Gauchos of Eldorado" one of the best of new westerns. The story has been well contrived, suspense is maintained as one difficult situation follows another, and performances, with one or two exceptions, are better than average for this type of film. Wherever westerns are liked, this new Mesquiteers effort should go over well; it's got the stuff to hold the fans in their seats. Give it the benefit of street ballyhoo, action cut-out displays in the lobby, and punchpacked copy in your newspaper ads. Catchline: "Hold on to your hats! Here come the Mesquiteers in their latest and best action-western." South of Tahiti Universal Action 75 mins. (Prod. No. Not Set— Nat'l Release, Oct. 17) AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) Very good companion feature where an action picture is needed, especially for younger audiences. BOX OFFICE SLANT: Good second feature. Cast: Brian Donlevy, Broderick Crawford, Andy Devine, Maria Montez, Henry Wilcoxon, H. B. Warner, Armida, Abner Biberman, Ignacio Saenz, Frank Lackteen, Barbara Pepper, John Merton, others. Credits: Directed and produced by George Waggner. Screenplay by Gerald Geraghty from Ainsworth Morgan's original story. Director of photography, Woody Bredell. Plot: Donlevy, Crawford and Devine, adventure seekers looking for pearls, are stranded on a tropical island. Maria Montez, supposed daughter of the blind chief, H. B. Warner, falls in love with Donlevy; burns their boat to keep them there. The other two make a deal with Henry Wilcoxon, trading boat captain, to steal the tribe's great stock of pearls. Donlevy, Maria's pet leopards and the chief's dogs lead a successful battle to both defeat the pearl thieves' plans and an uprising by Maria's native suitor. Donlevy becomes assistant tribal chief. Comment: Letting Donlevy have an entirely sympathetic role here is smart casting; and the resulting picture is a very good action subject. But after this one older patrons won't have to be told about Maria Montez. This comparatively new actress who is being groomed for star material has {Continued on Page 22)