Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1941)

October 25, 1941 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW Page 23 lowing a trip to a lodge hideout in the north woods, Margaret takes separate rooms in the same apartment building where Boyer has fitted up connubial quarters. Annoyed, he carries on affairs with Rita Johnson and Ruth Terry, flames of the past; but these affairs have no effect on Margaret. Not until she realizes how she and Boyer have been working at cross-purposes do they find happiness. Comment: It's getting so that a picture featuring Charles Boyer has all the girls in town (adolescents as well as spinsters) beating a path to the theatre. Such activity will probably take place in the communities where "Appointment for Love" is exhibited, and the girls won't be disappointed. For here is a delightful marital comedy that should please not only the feminine contingent, but the men as well. It deals with a problem undoubtedly faced by many married couples, yet the problem is handled in a light-hearted manner that gets it over much better than would have been the case had it been treated seriously. Margaret Sullavan, relieved from her customary tragic roles temporarily, is charming and convincing as the doctor-wife who has her own ideas about marriage, and the supporting cast is highlighted by Rita Johnson, Eugene Pallette and Reginald Denny. Boyer, of course, is Boyer, performing with ease and carefree assurance. With its chief appeal directed to adult audiences, the film should draw best in the better class firstrun houses. Gags, newspaper contests and spot broadcasts based on the marital angle should arouse interest in your engagement. Catchline: "She wanted their marriage to last ... he wanted it to begin." Weekend for Three RKO Radio Comedy 66 Mins. (Block No. '4— Nat'l Release, Dec. 13) AUDIENCE SLANT: This amusing little comedy should provide diversion to balance a heavy associate feature. BOX OFFICE SLANT: Will stand on its own if properly exploited; otherwise, will need stronger feature support. Cast: Dennis O'Keefe, Jane Wyatt, Philip Reed, Edward Everett Horton, Zasu Pitts, Franklyn Pangborn, Marion Martin, Hans Conreid, Mady Lawrence. Credits: Produced by Tay Garnett. Directed by Irving Reis. Screenplay by Dorothy Parker and Alan Campbell. From a story by Budd Schulberg. Director of photography, Russell Metty. Art direction, Van Nest Polglase. Musical direction by Constantin Bakaleinikoff. Plot: When a husband neglects his wife, and an old friend of hers comes to visit them over the weekend and stays indefinitely, things are bound to happen. And they do. Comment: Although not a pretentious comedy entry, "Week-end for Three" is amusing cinema fare that should counteract the effects of a heavily dramatic feature on a double bill. With such well known writers as Dorothy Parker and Alan Campbell responsible for the script, not to mention Budd Schulberg for the story, one might have expected more than what develops; but the total result isn't enough of a letdown to justify any complaints, except from those who may judge the film too critically. As a whole, the performances are good, although Philip Reed, more at his ease as a dark, handsome, romantic hero, strives too hard in his role as a happy-go-lucky, fast-talking, obnoxious week-end visitor to make it convincing. The picture was designed for laughs, and with a houseful of patrons, should fulfill its producer's aim. Humorous "week-end" invitations, tieups on toasters, gas ranges, refrigerators, furniture and other articles that are part of the domestic scene, a "what-wouldyou do if the wife's old boy friend showed-up-for-the-week-end" letter-writing contest, and similar stunts should be used in selling the picture. Catchline: "Just a nice, quiet week-end for three that turned into a riot, with the laughs coming thick and fast." RAY MIDDLETON • GLORIA DICKSON OTTO KRUGER DON DOUGLAS • FORRESTER HARVEY • TERRY KILBURN WILLIAM MORGAN -DIRECTOR* Screen play by Malcolm Stuart Boylan From the novel "Mercy Island" by Theodore Pratt A REPUBLIC PICTURE Buy. U. S. Defence Bonds