Showmen's Trade Review (1945)

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October 20, 1945 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW 43 BOX-OFFICE SLANTS Love on the Dole (Continued from Page 33) killed in a Socialist-police riot and Deborah accepts the hospitality of the town bookmaker, to the disgrace of her family. The picture ends on a note of helplessness for all the people of the little community. Comment: This story of poverty-stricken, decent, hard-working people — their helplessness in efforts to over-ride almost insurmountable obstacles just for enough to eat, a place to sleep and clean clothes for their backs — is not entertainment in the pure sense of the word without at least an indication that their problems might be met someday or that the future holds even slight promise for relief. Thus "Love on the Dole" lacks entertainment values. It is well produced, excellently directed with a sure sense of dramatic emphasis and acted by all of the principals and supporting players with near perfection. There is not one false note at any time. Deborah Kerr, for instance, is more beautiful and is a much better actress in this than in "Colonel Blimp." Clifford Evans is tops — and understandable, to boot. Some of the players' dialog is "swallowed" to the American ear and approaches the status of gibberish, but their acting ability permits American audiences to understand what they are trying to convey, even if they might miss part of what the characters are saying. In its entirety "Love on the Dole" is not what American audiences seek as their entertainment fare. Its theme is depressing — even though the author, producer and director have made a sincere and excellent attempt to show a segment of life in all of its stark, dramatic reality. The picture's career at American box-offices is extremely problematical. Battle for Music Four Continents Documentary 74 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) Should have strong appeal for music lovers, but might also achieve some measure of success in average communities if presented as a special added attraction with a strong top feature. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: Will do best in metropolitan centers. In small communities, however, smart showmen might stimulate interest through tieups with civic, educational and cultural institutions. Cast: The London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Adrian Boult, Dr. Malcolm Sargent, Constant Lambert and Warwick Braithwaite; Eileen Joyce and Benno Moiseiwitsch as piano soloists, and featuring J. B. Priestly, Jack Hylton, Brian Michie, Thomas Russell, Francis Stead, R. B. Morley, Charles Gregory, F. G. Bradley, Hay Petrie, Mavis Claire, Joss Ambler, Dennis Wyndham, Charles Carson, Ben Williams and Anthony Holies. Credits : A Strand Film Production made in England. Produced and directed by Donald Taylor. Associate, Leigh Clowes. Script and dialog, Leigh Clowes. Photography, Moray Grant and Larry Pizer. Plot: Performed by members of the organization, this is the story of the London Philharmonic Orchestra's fight for survival during the days of the Nazi bombings of England. Comment: Made in England, this picture presents an aspect of wartime life — the struggle for survival of England's musical art — that apparently few people in the States, with the possible exception of ardent music lovers, have had knowledge. During the German air raids, the London Philharmonic struggled valiantly to keep its organization intact so that the war-weary populace might have the morale-stimulating benefit of good music. The picture is not too well put together— photography and recording are spotty and there are other production deficiencies; but these are not enough to offset the entertaining presentation of some masterpieces of musical literature. Sir Adrian Boult, Dr. Malcolm Sargent, Constant Lambert and Warwick Braithwaite lead the London Philharmonic in orchestral performances of excerpts from Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, Mozart's Fortieth, Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet and Delius' La Calinda, among others; and Eileen Joyce and Benno Moiseiwitsch are present as soloists in performances of Grieg's Piano Concerto and Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto, respectively. When one considers that the dramatic sections of the film are enacted by real people, not trained actors, it is surprising how well they carry out their assignments under the circumstances. There is little doubt that the picture will have strong appeal for music lovers, and for this reason should have at least moderate success in the metropolitan centers; but there is also reason to believe, because its musical selections are so well known to even the general public, that it will also find some measure of success in the average communities as the second feature with a strong top attraction. The theme that good music is always a vitalizing and stimulating influence could well be utilized by smart showmen in tieups with civic, educational and cultural institutions. Index for September, 1945 Advertising Campaigns of the Month Bewitched Sept. 15, p. 12 Christmas in Connecticut. .. .Sept. 22, p. 24 Pride of the Marines Sept. 22, p. 24 August 1945, Index Sept. 15, p. 17 Back to School Shows, Sept. 22, p. 26; Sept. 29, p. 15 Equipment and Maintenance, Sept. 15, pp. 27-50 Exploitation Campaigns — by Pictures A Thousand and One Nights, Sept. 1, p. 17; Sept. 15, p. 13; Sept. 29, p. 18 Bells of Rosarita, Sept. 1, p. 20; Sept. 15,'p. 16 Caribbean Mystery Sept. 1, p. 18 Christmas in Connecticut, Sept. 8, p. 17; Sept. 22, pp. 23, 26 Duffy's Tavern Sept. l,p.20 First Yank Into Tokyo Sept. 8, p. 17 Incendiary Blonde Sept. 1, p. 16 My Pal Wolf Sept. 1, p. 18 Naughty Nineties Sept. 15, p. 10 Our Vines Have Tender Grapes, Sept. 1, p. 20; Sept. 8, p. 22; Sept. 22, p. 31 Over 21 Sept. 29, p. 18 Practically Yours Sept. 22, p. 25 Rhapsody in Blue Sept. 22, p. 23 Son of Lassie . . . Sept. 1, p. 21 ; Sept. 8, p. 17 State Fair Sept. 1, p. 20; Sept. 8, p. 16 Story of GI Joe, Sept. 1, p. 21 ; Sept. 8, p. 20; Sept. 22, p. 26 The Great John L Sept. 1, p. 17 The Harvey Girls Sept. 15, p. 10 Thrill of a Romance, Sept. 1, pp. 16, 20; Sept. 15, p. 10; Sept. 29, p. 15 True Glory ... Sept. 22, p. 25; Sept. 29, p. 15 You Came Along, Sept. 1, p. 16; Sept. 22, p. 31 ; Sept. 29, p. 16 Exploitation Campaigns — by Stunts Beauty Contest Sept. 15, p. 10 Doubles Contest Sept. 8, p. 16 Radio Dart Throwing Contest, Sept. 8, p. 20 Singing Contest Sept. 15, p. 10 Style Show Sept. 22, p. 26 Van Johnson Contest Sept. 1, p. 16 Job Ads on Screen Sept. 1, p. 18 Money Dates for October Sept. 15, p. 13 Requisites of a Good Manager. .Sept. l,p. 21 Show Builder Sept. 1, pp. 51-55 Smart Showmanship Sept. l,p. 17 Hubbard Scores with Hunt for 'Falcon' In a recent tieup on RKO Radio's "The Falcon in San Francisco," Earl L. Hubbard, advertising director of the 20th Century Theatre, Buffalo, tied up with local radio station WEBR for special promotion on the film. The station, which carries the "Radio Adventures of the Falcon," provided spot announcements and plugs four days in advance of the film's opening. Bringing the Courier-Express into play, Hubbard also arranged to have a "roving Falcon" on the street, with both the radio station and newspaper announcing that the first person to identify the "Falcon" would receive a $25 victory bond, which was also promoted and given by the American Safety Razor Corp., sponsor of the Falcon radio program. The stunt attracted considerable interest and helped the theatre's attendance. In the photo shown here the winner, Miss Mary H. Czapp, receives her bond as winner of the contest. Others in the picture are (1-r) William A. Schweitzer, WEBR ; John K. Mulvey, the "roving Falcon" ; Harry Petty, district supervisor of the American Safety Razor Co., who donated the bond, and Earl Hubbard. Area Premieres Set on 'First Yank Into Tokyo' Area premieres on RKO Radio's "First Yank into Tokyo," got underway this week, with the first openings taking place in Seattle, Salt Lake City and Denver on October 9, followed by Portland on October 11, with Cincinnati set for October 25 and Milwaukee on October 29. Details on the advance campaigns have been worked out by S. Barret McCormick, and Terry Turner has been in Washington preparing for the area premiere in that city on October 31, which will include Baltimore and Richmond. Additional premieres are set for St. Louis on November 3, Minneapolis on November 9 and Kansas City, Des Moines, Omaha and Los Angeles on November 15. Bob Mochrie, general sales manager, will announce additional dates soon, with New York and environs scheduled for an early run spearheaded by the Broadway opening at the RKO Palace. Merchants Cooperate on 'Rhapsody' In Cincinnati, Toledo Campaigns Advance campaigns on Warners' "Rhapsody in Blue' in Cincinnati and Toledo brought forth an unusual degree of cooperation from the leading stores and shops of both cities. For the engagement at the Albee in Cincinnati, displays were planted in Fair Store, Rollman's, Shillito's, Kline's, Mayor's, Willis Music Store, Jenny's, McAlpin's, Gidding's, H & S Pogue and Big Store. Victor Records promotional material was displaved in about 80 music stores. Campaign for the showing at the Rivoli in Toledo was highlighted by displays in United Music Shop, Lamson Bros., LaSalle & Koch and Lion Store.