Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1943)

October 16, 1943 SHOWMEN'S TRADEREVIEW 9 Mystery of the 13tli Guest Monogram Mystery 61 mins. (Nat'l Release, November 12) AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) There's many a laugh for everyone in this murdermystery, in spite of the strange goings-on. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: One of the better whodunits. Cast: Helen Parrish, Dick Purcell, Tim Ryan, Frank Faylen, Jacqueline Dalya, Paul McVey, John Duncan, Jon Dawson, Cyril Ring, Addison Richards. Credits: Directed by William Beaudine. Screenplay by Tim Ryan, Charles Marions and Arthur Hoerl. From the novel by Armitage Trail. Director of photography, Mack Stengler. Associate 'Producer, Charles J. Bige!ow. Produced by Lindsley Parsons. Plot: On her 21st birthday, a young lady goes to the vacant home of her grandfather to read the will left by him thirteen years before. An attempt is made to murder her and three other murders are committed before the private detective, hired by a kindly uncle, is able to solve the case — and also win the girl. Comment: Mixing plenty of lightness with murder and strange goings-on. Monogram has turned out a mystery that is one of the better whodunits. It is good entertainment for the following of this type of fare, for things begin to happen from the moment the picture starts unreeling. Outstanding in the trio of detectives trying to solve the mystery is Tim Ryan. He handles his role so well, that he dominates every scene and steals the picture. Good work is also turned in by Dick Purcell and Frank Faylen, the other two detectives and Helen Parrish, the leading lady around whom all the trouble revolves. While this is the general variety of murder-mystery, by spotting the comedy well and not letting it interfere with the suspense and action of the picture, William Beaudine, the director, has turned out a workmanlike job and Lindsley Parsons, in the producer's berth, has given it satisfactory eerie backgrounds. For street ballyhoo, have a man whose face is covered by a mask, carry a sign that the "Mystery of the Thirteenth Guest" can be solved at your theatre. Twin young ladies would attract considerable attention, if the public were asked, via imprinted heralds, which one was the correct heir. For lobby, telephone placed on a table, wired for slight shock, could be used for advance ballyhoo. RKO Radio The North Star Drama 105 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Adult) An inspiring and eloquent tribute to the undying courage of the Russian people. Splendidly directed and excellently portrayed. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: Its superiority over the majority of war pictures may well be appreciated by thoughtful moviegoers and bring to the box-office the large attendance the picture merits. Cast: Anne Baxter. Dana Andrews, Walter Huston, Walter Brennan, Ann Harding. Jane Withers. Farley Granger, Erich Von Stroheim, Dean Jagger, Eric Roberts, Carl Benton Reid, Ann Carter, Esther Dale, Ruth Nelson, Paul Guilfoyle, Martin Kosleck, Tonio Selwart, Peter Pohlenz, Robert Lowery, Gene O'Donnell, Frank Wilcox, Loudie Claar, Lynn Winthrop, Charles Bates. Credits: Produced by Samuel Goldwyn. Associate Producer, William Cameron Menzies. Directed by Lewis Milestone. Original story and screenplay by Lillian Hellman. Director of photography, James Wong Howe. Special photographic eflfects, R. O. Binger, Clarence Slifer. Art direction, Perry Ferguson. Music by Aaron Copland. Lyrics by Ira Gershwin. Choreography, David Lichine. Russian technical adviser. Zina Voynow. Legion of Decency Ratings (For Week Ending Oct. 16) SUITABLE FOR GENERAL PATRONAGE Footlight Glamor Cherokee Strip Empty Holsters Guns of the Pecos In Old Chicago In Old Monterey Land Beyond the Law Mexicali Rose Old Barn Dance Prairie Thunder Ride, Tenderfoot, Ride Union Pacific Dancing Masters SUITABLE FOR ADULTS ONLY Oklahoma Kid Souls at Sea Rams Came Under Two Flags Adventure in Iraq OBJECTIONABLE IN PART Song of the Saddle Plot: Russia is at peace. In a little village on the Bessarabian border crops and swine are being assembled for shipment; Farley Granger has been awarded a scholarship and will soon have to be separated from Anne Baxter, the girl he loves. On leave, Dana Andrews, a military flier, takes Farley and Anne, Jane Withers and a group of children on a hike to Kiev. On their way German planes attack; back in the village Nazi bombs have taken several lives. The invasion of Russia has begun. Men of the village become guerrillas. Nazi soldiers take over, order blood transfusions from native children for their wounded soldiers. Meanwhile, Dana, liaving joined his squadron, has been killed in action. Jane has been killed, Farley blinded. Guerrillas attack the occupying Nazis, force them to retreat from the village. But the war has just begun, and the villagers must leave their homes. As they move away from the wrecked and ruined village, Anne tells them of the free world to come, that they must all fight for the earth, which belongs to the people. Comment: No finer or more eloquent tribute to the undying courage of the Russian people in their war against the invading Germans, has ever been brought to the screen. Here, in a story that moves from laughter and gaiety to death and destruction as Nazi hordes overrun the peaceful countryside, is pictured the bravery and determination of a people who will iight to the death for their homes, their land, those they love. Lillian Hellman's screenplay of her original story is a drama that deeply penetrates one's emotions, makes the limitless resistance of peace-loving villagers something to be long remembered. And Lewis Milestone's splendid direction brings forth characterizations that one feels must befit such people. Anne Baxter, Dana Andrews, Walter Huston, Walter Brennan, Ann Harding, Jane Withers, Farley Granger, Dean Jagger, Eric Roberts — all skillfully submerge their own identities to become typical Russian villagers defending their land. "The North Star" is a fine and commendable example of Samuel Goldwyn's production craftsmanship. However, with no intention to detract from the film's quality, its emergence at a time when entertainment in the lighter vein is reported to be most in demand by moviegoers makes predictions of its box-office values far from infallible. Suffice it to say that the film's superiority over the majority of war pictures may well be appreciated by thoughtful moviegoers and bring to the box-ofifice the large attendance the picture merits. Columbia Comedy 67 mins. (Nat'l Release, Sept. 30th) AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) The Bumsteads give you more than your share of laughs and Dagwood's blunderings in this latest picture. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: One of the better offerings in this series. Cast: Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, Larry Simms, Ann Savage, Jonathan Hale, Irving Bacon, Marjorie Ann Mutchie, Danny Mummert. Daisy, Thurston Hall. Grace Hayle, Rafael Storm. Credits: Produced and directed by Frank Strayer. Original screenplay by Karen DeWolf and Connie Lee. Based on the comic strip, "Blondie," created by Chic Young. Director of photography, Philip Tannura. Plot: Dagwood's boss has him look after the daughter of a prospective client, while he takes the father away. The girl, in spite of her father's objections, has decided to be an actress, so she gets the Bumsteads to help her put on a show. When the father returns, this causes no end of trouble, but things work out all right in the end. Comment: The Bumsteads are at it again, this time in a story that will more than satisfy the following they have built up by their exploits. By digging fun at small theatre groups, the picture contains more than the average amount of laughs interwoven with the usual amount of Dagwood blunderings. Besides the regular cast, consisting of Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, Larry Simms and Jonathan Hale, Lake's boss, there are Ann Savage, as the would-be actress, and Rafael Storm, as her fortune-hunting boy friend, to help add to the complications encountered. Produced and directed by Frank Strayer, who has been handling this series since its inception, the picture gives full play to the family humor sometimes to the detriment of the action. Exploitation by cooperation with small theatre groups would be a natural. Imprinted heralds to be distributed by real estate offices should be arranged, with defense building projects lending their support in neighborhoods where these are found. Here Gomes Elmer Republic Comedy 74 mins. (Prod. No. 303— Nat'l Release, Nov. 15) AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) Loads of good, clean fun with Al Pearce and his gang and other radio personalities. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: Any part of a dual bill in most situations. Cast: AI Pearce. Dale Evans, Frank Albertson, Gloria Stuart, Wally Vernon, Nick Cochrane, Will Wright, Thurston Hall. Ben Welden, Chester Clute, Luis Alberni, Tom Kennedy, Artie Auerbach, Arlene Harris, William Comstock, "Pinky" Tomlin, Wendell Niles, The Sportsmen. The King Cole Trio and Jan Garber and His Band. Credits: Directed by Joseph Santley. Original screenplay by Jack Townley and Stanley Davis. Director of photography. Bud Thackery. Associate Producer, Armand Schaefer. Plot: To bring Al Pearce and his entertainers to New York, and incidentally get set himself, Frank Albertson turns many tricks. Once there, however, they find Albertson's phoney stories have a kickback, so that instead of a job they're kicked out. Pearce resorts to a job as Elmer Blurt, door-todoor salesman, but things eventually right themselves and the gang make a hit on a radio program. Comment: This picture can't miss a very satisfactory box-office in subsequents and all (Contimied on Page 17)