Universal Weekly (1932-1936)

Sept. 2, 1 933 UNIVERSAL WEEKLY U The Box-Office New York Times Commends ^^Moonlight and Pretzels” Melody and Cheer. Blessed with a fund of comedy, several catchy songs, a good cast and enough of a story to hold all the ingredients together, "Moonlight and Pretzels" can be expected to linger at the Rialto for some time. It merits inclusion among the screen's most successful invasions of the musical comedy field. Leo Carrillo and Mary Brian head the cast and perform satisfactorily, but the honors belong to Lillian Miles, a comparative newcomer to the screen and to Roger Pryor, who is making his picture debut, although well-known to Broadway playgoers. Both have good singing voices of naturalness that is found too seldom in pictures of this type. Its story deals with one George Dwight, a song plugger, who is stranded in a small town, is rescued by a local beauty, Sally, and eventually wins his way to success in New York. Then, after a clash with his producers, he decides to stage his own show. His chief handicap is lack of money, and to complicate things Sally comes to town. The money is contributed by Nick, a gambler (Mr. Carrillo), but he loses control of the show and, for a time, it looks as if the young producer never will be able to ring up the curtain. But all ends well. The complications are not permitted, however, to impede the action and there are frequent excuses for songs and colorful dance numbers. One of the most effective is "I've Gotta Get Up and Go to Work," written by Herman Hupfield, who wrote "Let's Turn Out the Lights and Go to Sleep" not so long ago. Another good number, sung by Miss Miles is "Are You Makin' Any Money?" and Mr. Pryor sings several ballads. F. S. N. MOUNTAIN MUSIC Ho, Hey, Hey. Just think of Louise Fazenda, Victor Potel and the Warren Doane selected cast in this Hill billy comedy. It’s a UNIVERSAL R^L COMEDY + + + What Variety Says About "Pretzels ' In New York Two other outstanders are “Voltaire,” between $29,000 and $30,000 on its first week at the HollyMood, and the Rialto’s $22,000 on first week of “Moonlight and Pretzels.” The U Musical will hit the top gross the Rialto has had since it went under the operation of Arthur Mayer. Engagement well sold and exploited and three weeks, possibly a fourth, are expected. Rialto (2,000; 35-50-64) — “Moonlight and Pretzels (U) (2nd week). Begins its second week today (Tuesday) after rounding up a swell $22,000 first seven days; best Rialto has done since Par-Mayer partnership. Three weeks look certain. Roger Pryor and Mary Brian in a scene from Pryor’s first moving picture, “Moonlight and Pretzels.” The welcome accorded him in this picture confirmed Universal in its belief that Roger Pryor was a find. He is now on his way to Universal City to appear in the first of two productions which Stanley Bergerman will make for Universal. Its title is “A Bad Sister,” authored by Harry Saubers. + + + Roger Pryor Picked For His Second Universal Role Today Roger Pryor and his father Arthur Pryor will meet for the first time this summer, even though the meeting will occupy only twenty minutes. Young Pryor left New York early this morning by the United Air Lines, summoned by Carl Laemmie, Jr. to Universal City. When Pryor was discovered as a picture possibility by Stanley Bergerman, who came on from the coast to personally supervise "Moonlight and Pretzels," he chose Roger Pryor for the lead. After the first few scenes had been shot. Universal took an option on Pryor's services. Universal has just taken up that option and placed Pryor under a long-term contract. He will arrive in Cleveland at 12:52 and Arthur Pryor will be at the Cleveland Air Port to meet him and spend the twenty minutes the air transportation allows for stop-overs in this city.