Showmen's Trade Review (Jul-Sep 1942)

September 19, 1942 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW 21 The F.B.I. Front* (Stirring) 20th-Fox March of Time (Vol. 9, No. 1) 20 mins. The enemy within our own borders and how he is dealt with by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This is a sort of double-barrelled show in that there is mighty interesting insight into some of the operating organizations of the F.B.I, and as well some good spy melodrama based on the activities of a hypothetical Nazi Bundist acting as a cover for saboteurs. The film shows how a Bundist, who conceals Nazi saboteurs, is trapped by daring work in which a G-man poses as a friend of the Bund, obtains a job as waiter in a restaurant operated by "Bund Fuehrer August Baumeyer" and makes possible a wholesale round-up of the enemy agents. Sell it as a revelation of how G-men use science and daring in their secret war on Axis agents. Trouble Spot of the East* (Interesting) Univ. (7351) Variety Views No. 1 9 mins. Ceylon, the island that stands guard over India, is the subject of this reel depicting the principal occupations of the natives and showing some interesting shots of the preparation of cinnamon and tea for shipment. Glimpses of the business district where sparsely costumed natives and the odd buildings of a passing era are contrasted with modern dress and up-to-theminute Government structures round out an interesting bit of footage. Serenade in Swing* (Fair) Univ. (7122) Name Band Musicals IS mins. Jan Savitt and his orchestra are assisted by Martha Tilton, Six Hits and A Miss, Kenny Stevens and the Rhythm Rascals to dish up an (Released Saturday, September 19) MOVIETONE (Vol. 25, No. 4)— Lend-lease aid to Norway; Air-borne troop maneuvers; Women work in Navy Yard; Flying tiger comes home; Stalin and Churchill confer in Moscow; Wendell Willkie in North Africa; Advice on fuel conservation; Diving meet. PATHE (Vol. 14, No. 7)— Stalin and Churchill confer in Moscow; Air-borne infantry "capture" airport in maneuvers; Wendell Willkie in North Africa; Advice on fuel conservation ; President Roosevelt gives ship to Norway; William Jeffers to head nation's rubber program; Army reveals hidden weapons. UNIVERSAL (Vol. 15, No. 120) — President Roosevelt gives ship to Norway; William Jeflers to head nation's rubber program; Fuel oil to be rationed; Advice on how to conserve fuel in the home; Stalin and Churchill confer in Moscow; Women work in Navy Yard; Safety glass for airplane; Diving meet in Los Angeles; Tyrone Power makes an appeal; Willkie in Middle East. NEWS OF THE DAY (Vol. 14, No. 202)— Stalin and Churchill confer in Moscow ; President Roosevelt gives new sub-chaser to Norway; Wendell Willkie in Middle East ; Argentine General offers his services to Brazil in fight against the Axis; Flying Tiger comes home to Marion, Iowa (Des Moines only) ; How to conserve fuel oil; Air-borne troop maneuvers; Diving. PARAMOUNT (No. 7)— Use Union Pacific for military purposes; Churchill in Moscow; Japanese submarine; Willkie in Egypt; United States-Brazil food agreement ; Tyrone Power makes bond appeal ; Airborne troop maneuvers; Fuel oil rationing; Army reveals hidden weapons. (Released W ednesday, September 16) MOVIETONE (Vol. 25, No. 3)— Baruch reports rubber situation serious; Henderson urges nation to battle Ahead of Schedule Columbia's short subjects comedy department is now several months ahead of production schedule. Ten of its 28 two-reel subjects have already been completed for 1942-43 release. Included in the finished product are four Three Stooges comedies, two Harry Langdons, one El Brendel, one Andy Clyde and two "Glove-Slingers." hialf of these were made by Jules White and the other half by Del Lord and Hugh McColfum. array of old time offerings mixed with special novelty numbers. The action takes place in the City Museum where the group are caught in a blackout and proceed to rehearse. The museum pieces are used by the performers in putting over their offerings. Indian Temples (Interesting) Para. (Ml-2) Fascinating Journeys No. 2 11 mins. The very subject matter of this Fascinating Journey is enough to lull some moviegoers into blissful slumber, but those who remain awake will find, after all is said and done, that here is truly informative and interesting material on a subject rarely covered by the average travelog: the inner mysteries of India, its temples and its devotees. Idols and rituals of the Hindu are revealed, and the weird Shiva's Dance of Destruction as performed by a member of the Menoka Ballet is also shown. Moonlight glimpses of the beautiful Taj Mahal, temple of love, form a fitting climax to this timely reel photographed in Technicolor. * Indicates 1942-43 Release inflation; U. S. expedition to Australia; Send Christmas mail early to the boys abroad ; Tanker launched at Norfolk, Va. ; R.A.F. in mass review; Jo-Carroll Dennison of Texas crowned Miss America 1942 at Atlantic City ; Archbishop Stritch prays for boys in U. S. Services; Football: Army All-Stars vs. Giants (except Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle) ; Western Conference football teams start fall training (Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle only)'; James Cagney reads a message from Secretary Morgenthau. NEWS OF THE DAY (Vol. 14. No. 201)— First films of U. S. troops in Alaska; Nationwide gas rationing urged in rubber crisis; R.A.F. in prayer for victory as conflict enters fourth year; Army does Christmas mailing early ; Convoy system making history ; JoCarroll Dennison of Texas crowned Miss America 1942 at Atlantic City ; Whirlaway wins Narragansett Special ; Western Conference football teams start fall training. PARAMOUNT (No. 6)— Glider pilots graduate in Texas; Aviation Technical Command recruits create corps insignia; America urged to mail Christmas packages to boys abroad early; Baruch reports rubber situation serious; Baseball: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Brooklyn Dodgers; Football: Army All-Stars vs. Giants; James Cagney reads a message from Secretary Morgenthau. PATHE (Vol. 14, No. 6)— U. S. planes and troops in Alaska; R.A.F. observes day of prayer; War enthusiasm high in Brazil; Baruch gives rubber report; Fire engines from oil trucks; Football: Army All-Stars vs. Giants; Whirlaway wins Narragansett Special. UNIVERSAL (Vol. 15, No. 119)— Baruch reports rubber situation is serious; Archbishop Stritch prays for victory in Chicago; R.A.F. observes day of prayer; U. S. soldiers guard Alaska; Brazil speeds war effort; Under-Secretary of War Patterson opens new highway in Michigan; Christmas gifts to boys overseas should be mailed early; Football: Army All-Stars vs. Giants; Pick Mrs. War Bride and Mrs. America 1942 at Palisades Park, N. J. Inside Fighting China (Very Good) United Artists World in Action 18 mins. Tracing the upward and onward march of the New China from the days of the Jap invasion of Mukden through to the events following Pearl Harbor this subject is a camera study of China's travail and suffering. No punches are pulled in showing how the Japs treated their victims and the scenes of the vast army of coolies struggling in mass formation along the rough highways are filled with incidents that cause the spine to shudder. The shooting of helpless prisoners is another horror spot. Some excellent scenes of the now famous guerrilla Army trapping and annihilating a large Jap force are in contrast o the primitive methods of manufacturing war munitions and the maintenance of a school system for the nation's youth that promises much for the democratic China of the future. The Early Bird Dood It (Very Funny) MGM (W-353) Cartoon No. 13 9 mins. A wise worm takes precaution to protect himself from the early bird by making a deal with a cat to be hidden behind a tree near the worm's hole and nab the bird as it waits to catch the worm. Result is a three cornered chase with added merriment occasioned through the observance by the principals of all posted traffic regulations. After many temporary setbacks the worm manages to send both cat and bird on a detour that ends in oblivion and he blows a jazz version of taps on an Army bugle at the finale. Tex Avery directed. The Squawkin' Hawk (Good) Vita. (7724) Merrie Melodies No. 24 7 mins. A baby chicken hawk prefers chicken to worms as a diet and puts up such a fuss that his mother sends him to bed supperless. Sneaking from the house he invades a chicken coop and is staggering off with a hen many times his size when he is stopped by her rooster husband. He is finally rescued by his mother who hopes that he has learned his lesson and again offers the cringing worm. Climax shows the worm bestowing a resounding smack on the baby hawk who is still insisting on chicken. Reel is in Technicolor. Bugs Bunny Gets the Boid (Good) Vita. (7722) Merrie Melodies No. 22 7 mins. The wise-cracking, carrot-chomping rabbit comes in contact with a dumb buzzard that has been kicked out of the nest by its mother to search for food. The goofy buzzard is no match for the pranks of the heckling long ears and is coming out a very poor second best when the mama buzzard arrives and proceeds to embrace the rabbit for rescuing her offspring. This is not quite as good as the general run of Bugs Bunny's escapades. Reel is in Technicolor. Leon Schlesinger produced. Life With Fido (Tech.)* (Routine) 20th-Fox (3552) Terry-Toons 7 mins. A dog, good hearted but bewildered by a playful duckling he has adopted as his special charge, finds himself in a series of "fixes" that should be funny but fail to register as more than routine cartoon action, and so the reel claims its only distinction by reason of the Technicolor, which gives the animated drawings lively visual appeal at least. . . NEWSREEL SYNOPSES . .