Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1944)

14 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW October 7, 1944 Shadow of Suspicion {Continued from Fagc 10) a fine job in the lead, with Marjorie Weaver turning in a good performance opposite him. Others in the cast worthy of mention are Tim Ryan who takes care of the comedy and Pierre Watkin as one of the thieves. Williarii Beaudine has capably directed. The credit for the interesting development of the production and its satisfactory handling belongs to A. W. Hackel. Tliey Live In Fear Columbia Drama 65 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) This story of a refugee who becomes an American student lacks conviction and hasn't much to offer in the way of entertainment. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: Suitable as a second feature. Cast: Otto Kruger, Clifford Severn, Pat Parrish, Jimmy Carpenter, Erwin Kaiser, X>anny Jackson, Jimmy Zaner, Jimmy Clark, Danny Desmond, Billy Benedict, Kay Dowd, Eileen McClory, Douglas Wood, Frederick Giermann. Credits: Produced by Jack Fier. Directed by Josef Berne. Screenplay by Michael L. Simmons and Sam Ornitz. Story by Wilfrid Pettitt. Photography by George Meehan. Plot: As reward for a kindness, an old man helps a Hitler youth to escape to America, where the youth is hindered by jealous schoolmates, suffers a serious injury and loses his will to live. The discovery of a letter to his mother enlightens his schoolmates and brings forth apologies. Comment: This might have been a good attraction in the days when the Nazis were overrunning Europe. But at this late date, and in the unconvincing manner in which it has been put together, it becomes just another program picture for the spots where second-feature time must be utilized. Not much can be said about the players, except that they do the best the}^ can with the material given them. Josef Berne directed and Jack Fier produced. Stagecoacli to IMonterey Republic Western 55 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) A ripsnorting western that will please the action fans. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: Good fare in the small towns and neighborhoods. Cast: Allan Lane, Peggy Stewart, Wally Vernon, Twinkle Watts, Tom London, LeRoy Mason, Roy Barcroft, Kenne Duncan, Bud Geary, Carl Sepulveda, Jack Kirk, Fred Graham. Credits: Associate Producer, Stephen Auer. Directed by Lesley Selander. Photography by William Bradford. Plot: A counterfeiting ring turning out silver certificates cause two Secret Service men to investigate. The men find the printer helping out of fear, uncover the crooks and bring them to justice. Comment: Second of the new Allan Lane western series, this has most of the necessary ingredients for good western fare. The good guys come along in disguise until they uncover the bad guys hiding behind the honestman front, and then the film tosses in shooting, fighting, riding, yelling, and plenty of what not. All these action essentials stew around for a while until the rip-snorting stops, the bad guys are licked, and the good guys leave until next time. Allan Lane is improving; his work is more dashing than in the first of the series. The others — the comic relief, the girl, and the villains of the piece — fill their niches neatly. Story selection and production give the reputation of Stephen Auer a rpusing cheer in the credit section. Direction liy Lesley Selander, an old hand with western sagas, whips the action to a frenzy at just the psychological moments. Everything is kept in the western tenor as movie fans liave been brought up to accept it. Tliundering 6un-Siingers PRC Western 55 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) Another in the Buster Crabbe-Al St. John series of westerns for their following. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: Routine western. Cast: Buster Crabbe, Al St. John, Frances Gladwin, Karl Hackett, Charles King, Jack Ingram, Kermit Maynard. Bud Buster, George Chesebro. Credits: Directed by Sam Newfield. Original screenplay by Fred Myton. Director of photography, Robert Cline. Produced by Sigmund Neufeld. Plot: Buster Crabbe arrives at a ranch to claim it as his own, having been left to him by an uncle. He runs into difficulties with his neighbor, who is found dead after an altercation between them. Crabbe is jailed for the murder, which had been instigated by the saloonkeeper who was after both ranches. Crabbe escapes and finally nabs tlie real culprit. Comment: This is just routine stufif for the neighborhoods and other houses having a regular western following. It should please the youngsters, for it has an average amount of action and gun-slinging — they'll never question the familiarity of the plot. Buster Crabbe will win the applause of his established fans for his role of the ranch owner innocently jailed, and Al St. John for his comic antics. Charles King plays the leader of the gang and Frances Gladwin does satisfactorily in the feminine role. Direction is by Sam Newfield. Index for September, 1944 Amusement Page Layout Sept. 2, p. 20 August, 1944, Index Sept. 2, p. 12 'Back to School' Campaign Sept. 2, p. 16 Equipment & Maintenance An .\merican Romance Sept. 16, p. 21 Dragon Seed Sept. 2, p. 16 Frenchman's Creek Sept. 23, p. 17 Going My Way Sept. 9, p. 46 Hitler Gang....Sept. 2, p. 17; Sept. 9, p. 52 Janie Sept. 2, p. 17; Sept. 9, p. 49; Sept. 16, p. 25 Lassie Sept. 2, p. 17; Sept. 9, p. 52 Lost Angel Sept. 2, p. 17 Master Race . .Sept. 16, p. 25; Sept. 30, p. 15 Merry Monahans Sept. 16, p. 21 Music in Manhattan Sept. 2, p. 20 National Barn Dance Sept. 30, p. 15 Seventh Cross Sept. 30, p. 15 Since You Went Away Sept. 23, p. 17; Sept. 30, p. 16 Wilson Sept. 2, p. 17; Sept. 9, p. 52; Sept. 23, p.|21 Exploitation Campaigns — by Stunts Baby Bond Premiere Sept. 30, p. 14 Bathing Beauty Contest Sept. 9, p. 52; Sept. 23, p. 21 Book Art Contest Sept. 9, p. 52 Cosmetic Tieup Sept. 23, p. 17 Post Card Stunt Sept. 23, p. 20 Money Dates for October Sept. 23, p. 16 'Doc' Layout Theatre Advertising Sept. 23, p. 20 Showbuilder Sept. 2, pp. 31-33 Showmanalysis Tlic Merry Monahans Sept. 16, p. 24 War Worker Contest Sept. 9, p. 49 Gene Russell, owner of the Rialto Theatre, Champaign, III., stands at the window of Art Floral Co., which tied in with Joyce Reynolds' selection by the Society of American Florists as their Flower Girl of 1944. Highlight of Russell's campaign was a USO Janie Hop & theatre jamboree. Splendid Wisconsin ^Janle^ Campdigns Fine campaigns on Warners' "Janie" were conducted inMilwaukee and Green Bay, Wis., by the Warner and Bay theatres. Highlight of the campaign launching the Milwaukee premiere at the Warner was an elaborate style show put on by Gimbel Bros, department store. The show presented 18 college girls and service men, with a tableaux worked around the title song of the picture and the personal appearance of Nancy Grey, radio commentator of station WTMJ. Other parts of the campaign included : Fourcard trailer on screens of nine Warner theatres in Milwaukee, two weeks before the preview ; lobby cards, 22x28, in these theatres, with special preview tickets also sold at the houses ; the line, "Janie's Coming Out Party," used in all publicity ; free radio announcements. Ari entire window display was put on by Gimbels publicizing "Janie's Coming Out Party." The store also incorporated this idea in their advertisements. A special screening was held for leading beauty shop operators in the city to start word-of-mouth advertising. At Green Bay, E. R. Brennan, manager of the Bay, gave his campaign a personal touch by including in his pre-opening-day newspaper ad an endorsement by "a typical American family." The ad, signed "E. R. Brennan and Family," read : "We like to see shows with all-around family appeal ! We saw 'Janie' at a special screening one day last week and everyone of us enjoyed it very much. We know you will too when you see it at the Bay starting Sunday. It's crammed full of genuine heart-warming happiness and laughter." The ad copy gave an unusual amount of interesting descriptive data on the leading characters in the picture, together with provoking catch-lines. Business was exceptional and the picture was held over. Horse in Boys' Magazine Tieup The Open Road for Boys, in its October issue, runs a full page on a contest for a name for Johnny Mack Brown's new horse, with $100, $50 and $25 war bonds as prizes. Page is illustrated with picture of the Monogram star and his horse, and facsimile of his letter to the "Open Roaders." SHOWMAN SAM SAYS: Did you ever stop to think how difficult it would be to run a theatre without compo board?