Showmen's Trade Review (Jul-Sep 1942)

16 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW July 18, 1942 *7Ue Bo^-O^^ice Slant Joan of Ozark {Continued from Page 9) either ingredient to reach the goal of audience enjoyment. The adherence to either principal would have resulted in better screenfare as there are instances where the action consequent to each endeavor provokes interest. Judy, as the hillbilly heroine, and Joe, as the gullible agent who becomes smitten with her charms, each perform in expected character. Some of the action and a few of the situations give promise of enjoyment but these are invariably interrupted too soon with bits of inane mugging or uncalled for clowning. Eddie Foy, Jr., does not dance and the balance of the cast are called upon for only incidental action and dialogue. Sell this as Simon pure hokum and don't promise too much in the way of enjoyment. Catchline: Joe and Judy join the "G" men to smash a spy ring. Kukan-The Battle Cry of China United Artists Documentary 61 mins. (Nat'l Release, July 18) AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) The actual shots of long suffering China, highlighted with the excitement and thrills of actual battles and bombings, should be well received by the average theatre customer. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: With China taking major headlines in newspapers and getting top consideration on radio this should do exceptionally well. Credits: Produced by Herbert T. Edwards. Photographed by Rey Scott. Plot: The heroic exploits of some 400 million people who have battled a ruthless aggressor for five years. What is happening behind the lines in China where a people of many religious beliefs and political differences have cast aside their personal disputes and united under one banner to fight for freedom and a better world to live in. How the most antiquated and primitive tools — many times only bare hands — are working tirelessly to grow and harvest the crops, transport the materials, mould the weapons, to resist an enemy equipped with the finest sinews of war that modern science and machine age methods can produce. Revealing practically every detail of China's famous "secret weapon" — the individual determination of its entire populace to endure shot, shell, bombing, fire and untold hardships and torture to stand united and fight to the last atom of human resistance. Comment: This travelogue in color carries the spectator through all of the interesting places that are in the current newspaper headlines and takes many sidetrips to illustrate what China's dogged will is accomplishing through community effort with only the most primitive of tools. Rey Scott, who made the picture, spent two years moving to the various places of interest to record the exciting and thrilling scenes and incidents. Among the highlights are shots of China's vast Guerrilla Army and how every farmer, clerk and housewife reaches for the hidden guns and takes to the scene of battle to harass the enemy by sniping, blowing up roads, etc. The bombing of Chungking is shown in all its terrifying detail and considerable footage is devoted to the work of the firefighters and others who go about the work of reclamation and reconstruction. Throughout one is made to actually feel the indomitable will of the populace to survive and fight back with everything they have to fight with. There are some excellent scenes of the front line fighting forces that have stood so valiantly against the Japs and a few shots of Generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek and his American-educated wife going about their job of keeping morale at fever height and caring for the orphaned and homeless kiddies. The Burma Road and the less publicized Red Road which is used to carry the war supplies from Russia are both given prominence as well as several little known communities where the work of feeding, clothing and caring for the vast Army of more than 4,000,000 troops is going on. This is a liberal education, not only of what China has gone through and is going through in the cause of democracy but of the terrain in which the big battles are being fought and the immensity of the reserve of fighting spirit that is undoubtedly the most formidable weapon of Chiang Kai Shek. Catchline: Thrilling, exciting and inspiring. Actual scenes of a nation fighting planes and tanks with their bare hands. Atlantic Convoy (Nat'l Release, July 2) Columbia Spy 66 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: Fast action marks this melodrama of naval battles, spy and sabotage complications, thus it should thoroughly satisfy general audiences. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: Should prove a booster for business as a companion feature at all situations. Cast: Bruce Bennett, John Beal, Virginia Field, Clifford Severn, Larry Parks, Stanley Brown and others. Credits: Directed by Lew Landers. Produced by Colbert Clark. Screenplay by Robert Lee Johnson. Photography by M. W. Stoloff. Plot: Beal has the central role as a weather operator working with the U. S. Air patrol off the coast of Iceland. He becomes suspected because his predictions of sinking of ships by German U-boats seem too accurate to be made on other than "inside information." Suspicion mounts when he accomplishes a most daring rescue of some British children when he, as a volunteer, goes out in a plane with a U. S. pilot. Hurt by the suspicion which hangs over him, Beal deserts his post, gets aboard a fishing boat and completely vindicates himself when he aids importantly in the sinking of this ship, a "contact" with the enemy, by pilots of the U. S. Coast Patrol. Comment: This is good screen entertainment and it will stand up as a pleasing ofifering in the majority of situations. Lacking bigmarquee strength, the film nevertheless should rate as a satisfactory draw if supported by some good exploitation. It will prove a decided asset as an added attraction to a bill headed by a comedy. The action is paced excellently and the roles are well played by -Beal, Vi rginia Field, Clifford Severn as the cabin boy, and others in an able cast. The character as portrayed by Beal builds up sympathy for the suspected man and at the same time good suspense effect is maintained as to the mystery of the spy contact through which German U-boats are obtaining information. Promise them action and realism in a drama about the U. S. air and naval heroes on duty in Iceland. Please Report Your Monthly Bond Sales Totals to the W.A.C. Promptly Fills That Empty Window For temporary periods there are empty show windows in most communities. Smart exhibitors seek them out, arrange to fill them with displays advertising current or coming attractions. One example of how it was done is shown above: Manager Lester Pollock of Loew's, Rochester, N. Y., transformed a dingy, empty window into an eyecatching ticket-seller for his engagement of Alexander Korda's United Artists release "Jungle Book." 'Miniver' Selling Aids Are Offered Exhibitors "Around Town With Melisse," the editorial cartoon which is considered one of the most influential two-column ads in the United States, has been made available free to M-G-M's customers in connection with engagements of "Mrs. Miniver." Melisse, nationally known artist and designer has been acclaimed by leading department stores and publications as one of Arnerica's foremost fashion creators. The use of the strip by an important New York store resulted in a Life magazine article giving her countrywide prominence. Mats may be ordered from National Screen Service. Also available from M-G-M is a two-color window streamer that affords exhibitors numerous tie-up opportunities with florists and other flower outlets. The streamer, headed "Everybody Loves the Beautiful New 'Mrs. Miniver' Rose," shows Greer Garson with a bouquet of the famous roses and also carries a shot of Miss Garson with her co-star, Walter Pidgeon. "Mrs. Miniver" has been recommended by the Motion Picture Committee of the Department of Secondary Teachers of the National Education Association and has been given the leading section, plus full photo cover, of the latest Group Discussion Guide of the organization. Famous Freedom Bell Helps Drive at Capitol Theatre The famous Freedom Bell, sister to and cast in 1752 at the same time and place as the Liberty Bell of Philadelphia, stands mounted at the Capitol Theatre, New York, where it is rung for every purchaser of a U. S. War Bond of $100.00 or over. The Freedom Bell is the property of Historic St. Paul's Church of Eastchester, Mt. Vernon, N. Y., the American Shrine of the Bill of Rights and Freedom of the Press. The bell is to be replaced in the belfry of the place of worship in the summer of 1943 as a memorial to the late Sara Delano Roosevelt. Organ Concert Draws Crowds Discovering an eight-year-old musical genius. Manager H. B. Sobottka of the Paramount, Portland, Ore., featured the youngster in a popular concert via the theatre's Wurlitzer console, drew extra crowds and extra coin to the box-office.