Showmen's Trade Review (Jan-Mar 1947)

42 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, January 25, 1947 BOX-OFFICE SLANTS The Macomber Affair (Continued from Page 39) Macomber." Photography, Karl Struss. Produced by Benedict Bogeaus and Casey Robinson. Plot: A beautiful woman accompanies her husband on an African hunting expedition. There she finds that his cowardice turns whatever little love she had for him to hatred. At the same time she falls in love with the famous hunter who is their guide. When she kills her husband during a shooting session, she and the hunter must return for questioning, she to stand trial. Comment: With star names like Gregory Peck, Joan Bennett and Robert Preston for box-office draw, and the fact that Peck is being seen in two pictures currently in release as well as being publicized for an Academy Award, make this a good bet for any house where heavy drama is liked. The picture has a very small cast, for the story is about an African safari that involves the eternal triangle. With most of the footage revolving around the actual hunt, one finds that outside of the sequence in which animal life, on the run, is depicted, the rest of the picture quite naturally, calls for the three main characters to be present in every scene. This gives Peck a chance to prove his versatility as an actor, for here he gives a splendid interpretation of the paid guide, or "white hunter." Miss Bennett, though quite good as Robert Preston's wife, awakens no sympathy for the character she portrays, since one is confused regarding her status. It is only at the very end of the film that an explanation is forthcoming. Preston is excellent. He interprets his character with such understanding that one is won over to his side, in spite of the man's failings. Two others who impress are Jean Gillie as a barmaid and Reginald Denny as a member of the police force. The Pilgrim Lady Republic Comedy-Drama 67 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Adult) An enjoyable bit of entertainment that will find favor with average audiences. It will add an hour or so of chucklesome fun to any program. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: In a few situations it may stand alone, but for the most part it will need stronger feature support. The title is misleading, for unless they are informed otherwise, most patrons may think the picture deals with an early period in American history. Cast: Lynne Roberts, Warren Douglas, Alan Mowbray, Veda Ann Borg, Clarence Kolb, Helen Freeman, Doris Merrick, Russell Hicks, Ray Walker, Charles Coleman, Carlyle Blackwell, Jr., Harry W. Cheshire, Dorothy Christy, Paul E. Burns, Tom Dugan, Jack Rice, William Haade, William Benedict. Credits: Associate Producer, William J. O'Sullivan. Directed by Lesley Selander. Original screenplay by Dane Lussier. Photography, Reggie Lanning. Art direction, James Sullivan. Musical direction, Richard Cherwin. Plot: Two unemployed young men decide to be agents for the authoress of a sensational new novel. They believe the writer to be a studious, drab young girl, but they exploit the book and it is selected for a book club before they learn it was written by her spinster aunt. The girl, now blos somed into a lovely young lady, falls for one of her literary agents. The spinster aunt marries a literary critic. Comment: With few variations, the plot of this comedy-drama is strongly akin to others that have preceded it. And when the picture gets under way, and this fact is realized, one is inclined to sigh hopelessly, "What — not again." But there is something about the film — probably due to Lesley Selander's direction — that makes one perk up as the story progresses, so that by the time it's all over, the spectator's reaction is one of pleasurable satisfaction. Not that "The Pilgrim Lady" is the acme of perfection, for it isn't. But as a program picture (as its producer intended) it is an enjoyable bit of entertainment that will find favor with average audiences. Members of the cast do well with their roles but, as stated before, it is apparently to the credit of Director Selander that this variation of an alltoo-familiar plot holds one's interest throughout. The picture will probably stand alone in only a few situations; for the most part, it will support a stronger feature; but it will add an hour or so of chucklesome fun to any program. it's A Me, Son! EagleLion Comedy 62 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) Kenny Delmar, the Senator Claghorn of radio fame, is introduced to motion picture audiences in a picture that has a logical story woven around his characterization. Plenty of laughs for the mass audiences who enjoy this type of entertainment. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: With the right kind of advance selling, this picture should pay off well at the box-office. Has a large pre-sold audience because of the title, which attracted national attention. Cast: Kenny Delmar, Una Merkel, June Lockhart, Kenneth Farrell, Douglas Dumbrille, Jimmy Conlin, Matt Willis, Ralph Sanford, Daisy, Vera Lewis, Margaret McWade, Ida Moore. Credits: Directed by Ben Stoloff. Original screenplay by Robert Kent and Paul Gerard Smith. Photography, Clyde De Vinna. Produced by Aubrey Schenck. Bryan Foy in charge of production. Plot: Financial hardships have no effect on the loyalty and faith of a loyal son of the deep south. He refuses to have anything to do with anyone connected with the "north," even when it means some monetary reward. Things become quite complicated when he uses some unexpected money to help his daughter and her boy-friend, and his wife needs the cash for her Senatorial campaign. He is forced to run against his wife, but all ends happily after some crooked politicians are disposed of. Comment: This is the first home product to be turned out by Eagle-Lion under the production supervision of Bryan Foy. The company has several English-made pictures ready for release; but this one, based on the radio character that .has attracted such national attention, is its first domestic offering for general consumption. And a good picture it is, suitable for any situation that can use a homespun, corny tale with lots of laughs. The title alone has enough draw to insure quite a following of pre-sold customers, for there are few people who are not familiar with the Senator Claghorn character introduced on the Fred Allen radio show. The story has been logically woven around the main character, and Kenny Delmar gives a fine account of himself, in this, his first appearance before the motion picture camera. His performance is convincing and believable, and his lines have been wellspotted for laughs throughout, a credit to Ben Stoloff's direction. In supporting roles Una Merkel does a good job as Delmar's wife and June Lockhart, as his daughter. Kenneth Farrell, as Miss Lockhart's sweetheart, and Douglas Dumbrille as the villain, capably fill their respective roles. With the right kind of advance selling, this picture should pay off well at the box-office. Born to Speed PRC Drama 65 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) Fastmoving, clean-cut action-drama about midget auto racing that should be a crowd-pleaser. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: Should get by nicely as supporting half of double bills. Will get good word-of-mouth. Cast: Johnny Sands, Terry Austin, Don Castle, Geraldine Wall, Frank Orth, Joe Haworth. Credits: Producer, Marvin Stahl. Director, Edward Cahn. Screenplay, Crane Wilbur, Scott Darling, Robert B. Churchill, from an original story by Robert B. Churchill. Photography, Jackson Rose. Plot: The mother of a young man doesn't want him to follow in his dad's footsteps and become a midget auto racer, because the father was killed in the game. But the youngster does get into racing, with the aid of a former buddy of his father's. Despite the machinations of the friend's niece, who wants the boy to keep out of racing because she loves him and is afraid for him, and a villainous midget race competitor, the fellow emerges victorious. He is hurt at first, but manages to win the big race, the girl and his mother's pardon. With his winnings, he gets married and starts a gas station. Comment: This is a very satisfying picture,, with possibilities for promotion that are obvious to good showmen. It is the first time that the vast reservoir of 45,000,000 midget auto fans has been tapped. The picture is a faithful picturization of midget racing and should please even those who are not fans. Johnny Sands shows promise of much bigger things, with a flair for clean-cut delineation of the "typical American boy" that ought to make the bobby-soxers squeal with delight. Terry Austin is fine as the young girl, and the rest of the cast is more than up to par. Robert Churchill deserves a hand for originating the story and participating in the screenplay; many of the situations are patent enough, but action and plausibility are what count in such a film, Exhibitors can count on good mass audience reaction from this effort. Song of the Sierras Monogram Musical Western 56 mins. AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) Wakely's best western to date, with plenty of action, good story, smart production and tuneful music. BOX-OFFICE SLANT: The steady improvement of the Wakely series is being re