Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1941)

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November 8, 1941 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW Page 13 Four Jacks and a Jill RKO-Radio Musical Comedy 68 mins. (Block No. 3, Nat'l Release, Jan. 23) AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) Good songs, three swell dances by Ray Bolger but a confusing uneventful story. BOX OFFICE SLANT: Exploitation of names should give program headed by heavy drama some added draw. Cast: Ray Bolger, Anne Shirley, Desi Arnaz, June Havoc, Jack Durant, Fritz Feld, Henry Daniell. Directed by Jack Hively. Produced by and original screenplay by John Twist. Additional material by Monte Brice. Cameraman, Russell Metty. Art director, Albert DAgostino. Plot: Anne Shirley meets Bolger, leader of a four-man orchestra and telling them she is broke persuades them to let her stay with them. She gets them a job by telling them she is a friend of King Stefan of Aregal. She joins the band as a singer and is surprised when Desi Arnaz, apparently the King, comes to the cafe. But Arnaz is a pickpocket and he gives Anne the jewels he steals. Bolger gets angry and leaves the group but is persuaded to return when he hears she has returned the presents. Desi runs away with another girl and Ray is reconciled with Anne but the real King appears and he, too, takes a fancy to Anne just at the fadeout. Comment: As a vehicle for Ray Bolger, this offers him three opportunities to dance which he exploits to the limit. As a dancer he is excellent. In a romantic role, he doesn't quite fit. Anne Shirley tries out a new type of part for her — a singer — with a fair degree of success. The rest of the cast are largely unknowns, but RKO doesn't even credit some of the important characters such as the three other players in the band who seem to be on the screen much of the time and who really give good performances. There must have been some extra footage which explained a little more about the plot because there seems to be something missing in several scenes. The picture isn't strong enough to top a bill but it should be quite an acceptable addition to a program which already lists a heavy dramatic feature and has some drawing power. To sell "Four Jacks and a Jill," use the music angle, tieing up with music stores and local orchestras and radio stations; also tieup with local dancing schools. Catchline: "He danced his way into romance." Obliging Young Lady RKO-Radio Comedy 78 mins. (Block No. 3— Nat'l Release, Jan. 30) AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) Should please the less critical. BOX OFFICE SLANT: Passable supporting fare that could be improved by additional editing. Will need some smart selling to put it over. Cast: Joan Carroll, Edmond O'Brien, Ruth Warrick, Eve Arden, Robert Smith, Franklin Pangborn, Marjorie Gateson. John Miljan, George Cleveland, Luis Alberni. Charles Lane, Fortunio Bonanova, Andrew Tombes. Almira Sessions. Pierre Watkin and others. Credits: Directed by Richard Wallace. Screenplay by Frank Ryan and Bert Granet. Story by Arthur T. Horman. Director of photography, Nicholas Musuraca. Produced by Howard Benedict. Plot: An ace newspaper reporter retires to a mountain wilderness to write and finds, at a nearby lodge, the girl who spurned his attempts to make her acquaintance on a train. He helps her protect the youngster in her charge from dreaded newspaper no Legion of Decency Ratings (For Week Ending Nov. 8) SUITABLE FOR GENERAL PATRONAGE Buy Me That Town Riding the Sunset Trail Ellery Queen and the Murder Ring SUITABLE FOR ADULTS ONLY Hot Spot Swamp Water toriety. Together they pose as the child's parents to keep her identity hidden until the real parents arrive. Comment: Here's a fair comedy that would have been better with some additional editing. As it now stands, the action bogs down in too many spots, and the result is a passable piece of supporting fare. Otherwise, the familiar thin story is presented in average form with several laugh provoking situations. In its favor is the work of the cast, particularly little Joan Carroll, Edmond O'Brien and Ruth Warrick, but unfortunately they are not marquee names. Director Richard Wallace did his best with the material given him, but never fully overcame the handicap. Production is good. Arrange tieups with stores plugging merchandise and gifts for an "Obliging Young Lady." Distribute small envelopes containing tacks, with instructions to use as used in picture. The title is good for a teaser campaign. Catchline: ". . . and a little child shall lead them ... by the neck." A Date With the Falcon RKO-Radio Mystery Comedy 63 mins. (Block No. 3— Nat'l Release, Jan. 16) AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) The same comedy-mystery blend as in first of the series; should be as popular as predecessor. BOX OFFICE SLANT: A good second feature on almost any program. Cast: George Sanders, Wendy Barrie, James Gleason, Allen Jenkins, Mona Maris, Victor Kilian, Frank Moran, Alec Craig. Credits: Produced by Howard Benedict. Directed by Irving Reis. Screenplay by Lynn Root and Frank Fenton. Photographed by Robert De Grasse. Art directors, Albert D Agostino and Al Herman. Plot: The Falcon, about to leave on his honeymoon with Wendy Barrie, is asked by police inspector James Gleason to help him solve the disappearance of a man who has invented a formula for synthetic diamonds. The Falcon seems about to lose his brideto-be several times during the ensuing hour as he diligently pursues his clues and hunches and finally runs down the killers, solves the mystery and departs on his honeymoon. Comment: Somewhat similar in its comedy to the first of this series, this follow-up to "The Gay Falcon," should please as many patrons as its predecessor. Its drawing power, also, will be about on a par with "Gay Falcon." George Sanders again does a capable job in the leading role, and Jimmy Gleason, by now a top contender for Academy Award honors for his roles in "Meet John Doe" and "Here Comes Mr. Jordan," again scores with his interpretation of the police inspector. Wendy Barrie has little to do in the leading feminine role. Direction and production are satisfactory. Sell the picture along the same lines as you sold "The Gay Falcon." Catchline: "The Falcon catches a murderer and a few ladies' hearts along the way." I Killed That Man Monogram Mystery 70 mins. (Nat'l Release, Nov. 14) AUDIENCE SLANT: (Adult) Perfect entertainment for the murder mystery fans. Swell dramatic screenfare BOX OFFICE SLANT: Better than average program feature. Cast: Ricardo Cortez, Joan Woodbury, Iris Adrian, George Pembroke, Herbert Rawlinson. Credits: Produced by Maurice King. Directed by Phil Rosen. Screenplay by Henry Bancroft. Plot: A condemned killer is murdered by a poisoned dart as he is about to confess. Only a few people are present in the deathhouse at the time of the murder. Several clues lead to a prominent man, but there is no evidence. So the Assistant District Attorney works undercover until he gets the information he needs to apprehend the man. Comment: Starting with a bang and ending the same way, this swell mystery has all the ingredients needed for mass entertainment. It's a natural for the dramatic spot on any program. The new fresh story slant and splendid direction add considerably to the entertainment. Fine performances are contributed by Ricardo Cortez and Joan Woodbury. Taking everything into consideration, it's a better than average feature, and a credit to the production genius of the King brothers. Use newspaper headlines about crime for a lobby display. Use the title in teaser ads. Invite local crime prevention agencies to an advance showing. Catchline: "Murder in the prison death house." Playmates RKO-Radio Comedy With Music 96 mins. (Block No. 3) AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) Kyser's best picture to date and one that will entertain thoroughly in all situations. BOX OFFICE SLANT: Headed by two of the biggest names in the entertainment field today, not to mention the excellent supporting cast, this should reap rich rewards at the box office. Cast: Kay Kyser, John Barrymore, Lupe Velez, May Robson, Patsy Kelly, Peter Lind Hayes, Alice Fleming, George Cleveland, and Kay Kyser's band featuring Ginny Simms, Harry Babbitt, Ish Kabibble, Sully Mason. Credits: Produced and directed by David Butler. Screenplay by James V. Kern. From a story by David Butler, James Kern and M. M. Musselman. Director of photography, Frank Redman. Art direction, Albert D'Agostino. Music and lyrics by Jimmy Van Husen and Johnny Burke. Musical direction, Roy Webb. Plot: To get her client a radio contract, Patsy Kelly decides to team Barrymore with Kyser, whose popularity is high. A Shakespearean Festival is planned while Kyser brushes up on his Shakespeare. But Barrymore has no intention of appearing with the band leader, tricks him to avoid it. In the end, he finds that he, himself, has been tricked while Kyser and the band take honors with a colorful number, "Shakespeare in Song." Comment: This, the third film in which Kay Kyser has appeared, is undoubtedly his best. Perhaps the reason is the excellent support furnished the famed band leader by John Barrymore, Patsy Kelly, Lupe Velez and May Robson, as well as the scripting by James V. Kern and David Butler's direction. It's all a lot of nonsense, of course, but enter(Contimied on Page 16)