Variety (Oct 1935)

Wednesday, October 23, 1935 PICT E S VARIETY 91 Film Reviews TOGETHER WE LIVE (Continued from page 13) Mack, who's featured and credited with direction and^ authorship, died. This delayed release. His name is omitted from ad matter. Pi.ojture has plenty of slaps at communism, some" of it hot too subtle, all in the cause of better Americanism. Looks like -Golumbla had this one laid away.on the shelf but dusted it off. Ahti-communlstic angle will have tQ be used If it gets anywhere at all. Not a name that means much for marquee. Picture Is distinguished In- that vital character of Hank Kavanaugh was portrayed by the late. Willard Mack,. and that the play was au- thored and directed by Mack. With- out his contributions, it would have been a rather sloppy concoction. It's the not entirely original story of good old American spirit; as typi- fied by a group of Civil War vets, versus the rising wave of radical- Ism. The general strike In San Francisco when he firat started writ- ing piece, is the background, partly depicted by obvious newsreel clips. Attempt Is made to play up fam- ily angle, with Hank, civil war vetr eran, striving to^brins up three boys and two girls according to his Ideals. It's when two oldest lads break aWay and start attending com- munist gatherings that subject gains monientum, climaxing with the boys from the Old Soldier's Home taking law in. their own hands to squelch red threat of violence. Herei, too, story smacks of vigi- lante'raids on communist halls dur- ing California strife. ." Only outstanding thcsplaii con- tribution Is by Mack. Wera Engels does well enough as the Russian girl agitator. Other just so-so perform- ances turned in by Ben Lyon, Esther Ralston, Sheila Manners, Claude Gilllngwater and the late Lou Tel legen. Looks like Columbia did not In tend this to be sold on anti-red slant but its possibilities along these lines as means of- ballyhoo In many localities are obvious,' As it stands, this alone is what may lift It slight ly above ordinary, flual programmer. ■ Wear. becomes acceptable film fare. It will get by on this side on a dual. •Born for Glovy' deals with an English and German encounter on the water at the opening of the World War. Story is entirely flcr tional and makes room principally for the heroism of a young English sailor , who .single-handed goes to work on a whole German battleship from a nearby rocky shore, stalling the Gefitiahs' long enough for the English to catch up with them. The boy has escaped frbrti a German ship where held prisoner, and alone, wJth a rifle, shot down enough - of the enemy from "his island hideout to bebbmb fin outstanding hero. He. is killed in the end. Clrcurhstances under which the lad escapes and his success in de- laying the German ship long enough for the English to get to it may seem far-fetched, but it all serves the purpose of the story. Boy goes through training and quickly gets nto the thick of fighting, two dif- fesrent sequences dealing with Eng- lish and German encounters. These scenes are . well staged and photo- graphed. One is shot at night. Mills, juve, plays the lad< in whose honor the British Navy erects a cross atop-the- barren island from which he tried to shoot it out with German battleship. Mills is an interesting type who screens well. He looks a coriier. Betty Balfour plays the mother, and Barry.lilackay the'fatherL They are satisfactory, as is -Jimmie Hanley, sailor^ buddie of Mills. Entire picture, well shot and re- corded. Char. DEUXIEME aUREAU ('Ihtelligence Service') (FRENCH MADE). Pa,ri3, Oct. 9, Pterra Btllon producttdn and Compansnle Francataa Clnematosraphlquo distribution. Stars 'Jean Murat and Vera Korene. Bas^d on novel by Charles Robert Dumas. Dialog by Bernard Zlmmer. At Aubert Palace Paris. ' Capt, Benolt Jean Murat X:ma FUeder... Vera Korene Dorothy. .Jeainlrie Crispin Count BrasUow Jean Max Weygelmanh Alcover Col. Gueraud ...Pierre Magnler Gen. von Raugwltz ....Georges Prleur Adj. Coltoret ..Pierre Larquey Llout. von Strainmer...; Jean Galland (In French) Fast-rinoving spy story with plenty of action and meller Interest terminating in a chase that doesn' exactly stand them on their seats but gives them a good thrill. Local moneymaker and a possible Ameri can remake, for anybody that's interested in secret service stuff. Vera Korene of the Comedie Francalse plays the diabolic woman spy, without scruples, who falls In love with her handsome adversary (jean. Murat) and dies to save him Does a very slinky job of it. Other outstanding player is Pierre Larquey, who holds up his own as one of the leading character actors of the French screen. Stern. BORN FOR OLORY Gaumont-Brltl.<;h production nnd releose Features John Mills. Betty BalCour, Barry Mackay, Jimmy Hanley. Directed by Walter Forde. Story, C. 3, Forester adaptation. J. O. C. Orton. Michael «0Bnt and-Gerard Falrlle; fllm editor, Otto Lud "Wig; Bernard Knowles. camera. At Glolie, N. T., week Oct. 10, "Jo. ' Ilu;inlng time, 70 mlna. Elizabeth Brown Betty Balfour Albert Brown John Mills Iileut. Somervllle Barry McKay Ginger.... .■ JImmIe Hanley Max Howard M. Crawford Capt. H, 0. Stoker Capt. Percy Walsh KLEIN DORRIT ('Little Dorrit') (GERMAN MADE) Bavaria Fllm-A. G. M^uenchen production and roleiaae. Stars Anny; Ondra. Fea turea Oustav Waldau. Hllde Hlldebrandt, Mathlas Wleman, Kurte-Melsel. Directed by Karl .Lamac. Adapted from story by Charles Dickens. At 70th Street. N. Y. week Oct. 23, .'35. Running time, 71 mliis William Dorrit. Gustav Waldau Anny,.. Seine Toechter.......... .Anny. Ondra Lily, Seine Toechter Ilde Hlldebrandt Pit, Seine Sohn,. Kurt Melsel Arthur Clennam Mathlas Wleman it because It is a 'real old Jewish song, but with a new subject.' Atmosphere Is excellent. . Wed- ding, synagogue and workshops are true, with equally gdod photography and lighting. Music Is effectively used. Cast has Ave Honored Artists of the Republic, of whom Poslavskl as Novik. Toporkov as the bride- groom, and Zorskin as the young worker who brings back the song, are especially e^ood. ' It is the first Soviet fllm of life abroad .without, cabarets,, dancing girls and stock exchanges. Bennett. CSUNAY LANY ('Homely Girl') (HUNGARIAN MADE) Danubia release. atarrlnK Pal Javqr. Dl- recfed-l>y Beia Gnal, StoCy, Laszla, Vnd'- nay; adaptation, Vadnay and.Gaal.. Cast: Gyula .Kabbe, Martin Ratkay, Istvan Be- kasay, X.,aszlo Sziiess. Ella Gombaszogl.' Gyula Gozon,. ill Muratl. . At Hunnia Playhouse, N. ., week Oct: 18, "35. Run- ning time. 80 mins. (In Hungarian) If there is any one factor in Euro- pean films which Is bunching almost aU of them, no matter what th& lan- guage, into thie same gieneral class, it is^the consistent triteness of story. Here is another picture with a yarn so threadbare as to make it almost hopeless except to those who are suffering from home-sickness. Pal Javor is the handsome Jiive and LIU Muratl the Ingenue. This time he's a lawyer who's been bothered so much by his secretaries falling, in love with him that he de- cides to hire only ugly dames. So Muratl has to put on a wig to get the Job. On the sidia, sans wig and gla.sscs, she ' carries' on a ronaance with him; Laszlo Vadnay. who wrote the story, has a rep over there. Miss Muratl has something. She's pretty and, in a better film, miglit have a chance to show her stuff. If she knows how to act she's Holly wood tirhber. Javor is Just a Juve nile here. Other actors don't get an opportunity to register. Production exceptionally good for this type of picture, but it won't get the film beyond the Magyar nabes. Kauf, (In German) Another from Gerniany, but this time based on a Charles Dickens tale, anti laid in London, Except for the charm which Anny Ondra brings to the screen, 'Klein Dorrit,' English trainslatlon of which is 'Lit- tle Dorrit,' the. picture has next to nothing. A lot of talk and not much action, affording virtually no amusement to those who do not understand Ger- man. A poorly written English synopsis Is furnished by program. .Story revolves around the Cin- derella theme, a rich woman's refu- sal to let her son marry the daugh- ter of a man who is in Jail for debt in London. Action finally reveals that the bid man is being kept in jail, although he has won a lawsuit making him rich, this ma,king things okay for the finish. Star in private life is Mrs. Max Schmeling. She has worlds of per- sonality and looks. Her father is played by Gustav Waldau, who doesn't particularly impress here, Mathais Wleman is the other half of the love Interest. Rest of the cast average. Char. BORDER (RUSSIAN MADS) Moscow, Oct. 6. Lennim production and Amsov release. .Scenario and Direction Mikhail Dubson; leading roles, Granovskaya. Polavskl, Toporkov, Zorskin. Running time 70 mIns. Effectively photographed battle scenes and a compelling, screen per- sonality in John Mills, young Eng- lish actor, cbmbine to raise this British-made to the point whore it TlioMo Roynl .leftters of Ulini-e r>.\ll» Mirror (Oct. tl) Ntw Paradha Revut Oy Waller Winchell "Moore nnd Iterol rii keil the house with llii'lr runny liuoilnR ir;m.?tle.i." J.WK MOORE] AND BII.I.V REVEL. ramdlne KeHtnunint Indeflnttely Per. Mgt. Wultelr IJntrlielor {In Russian) Most unpretentious, hence best Soviet picture about life abroad, Scene is a little Jewish village ^iist beyond the U.S.S.R. border, a Tocale which Director-Scenarist Dubson knows thoroughly. Border lis more genuine and less sentimental than the American picture 'Humoresq-ue" of a few years back, but remlnlsGent of it. It should enjoy a world-wide Jewish riabe'market. Class struggle provides the plot, Novik is a rich: Jewish niercnant who owns a factory near the vil- lage. By keeping Jews off his pay roil and working in cahoots wltn the local roibbi, Novik seeks to avoid labor troubles. Formula doesn't work, and times get worse in the village. Somebody resurrect.s an old superstition that troubles will end and ))eaco come back if the village's olde.st spinster and linniarrled man middle-ai.sle it. ypinstcr Is willing enough but tlie potential gi-oom balks because his .son, a worker, is :n jail. However, they unlock him, secretly planning a rearrest, and things go forward. The wedding comes off w'lth plenty of show. When workers brcfik up the proceodliigs. the newly- wed husband .slioot.s a soldier who 'la.M jnst mui'flcred a wunian, Ttierc i.x nothing left but to smuggle'the .bridegroorii across the Soviet bor- ..ler, and some young workers eiTgi- ueer it. Film ends v.-ith tiie group •singing a song which one of the re- turned .sniu{rgl>'rs bring back from ilic !ji>ci'.ilist side.. They warm to BRANDED A COWARD Times Pictures release of ETuperlor Pic- tures production. Features Johnny Mack Brown. Directed by Bam. Newfleld. Orig- inal story, Richard Martlnsen; adapted by Earl SnelL Camera, William Mobelea. At Central, N. 7., starting Oct. 19, '86, as half of double bill. Running time, B8 mIns. Johnny Hume..Johnny Hack.Bro'wn Ethel Carson..'....'. '.V..Blllle Seward Her Father loyd Ingraham Oscar .Syd Baylor Western that falls to measure up to its possibilities. Originality of plot is deadened l>y Weak pro- duction, lighting and photography, Despite some trim performing by Johnny Mack Brown, Syd Saylor and Lloyd Ingraham, its flaws rele- gate it to secondary dual statu.s. Opens with flashback which builds for basic theme—^the Inability of daring cowboy rider and naarksman to control his nerves under fire, Once he conquers this streak, in herited from youth when he saw parents shot down by bandits, Johnny rides to fame as U. S. mar- shall. Final denoumeiit la surpris ing twist with long-sought criminal revealed as his brother. There's a stage coach flght aind rescue that's a realistic hair-raiser. Lots of picturesque scenery - but otherwise it's typical western rough stuff. Johnny Mack Brown, who's been going; in for western roles .of late, makes virile rough-riding cow puncher.' Syd Saylor, as the stut- terer, does a bang-up Job In the comedy assignment. Best' straight acting done by Lloyd Ingraham as the express agent. Wear. WILD MUSTANG William Berke production nnd'AJax PIr tures release. Features Harry. Carey. Di rected ' by. Harry Fraser. Story, Milnroe Talbot; Bcreen _play, Weston Edwards camera, Robert Cllne. At Arena, N. T, Oct. 20-22, '33,' as fialf double bill. Run ning time, 02 nilns. ' N'orton :..Harry Carey JIM. .Barbara Frltchle Reno Del Gordon Ma Mc '. ..Cathryn. Johns Utah '. Robert Kortman Harry Carey fans Will go for this western'because it has action. Fits its claps. Typical outdoor story build-up, it only being a matter of how the out laws are going to be captured. Film flounders badly, until Carey enters Once he's returned to saddle, as sheriff and told to get Utah Evans and his cohorts, it picks up speed and races through one episode after another. Seems that Utah's play lDate.s consider it great stuff to brand their victims, thereby adding more men to their gang. Works great until they pick on the slierlff', son. Then the big drive is on. Fairly strong climax In that th .sheriff is about to be branded by outlaw.n and then his narrow escape IrOm being blown Into oblivion by d.vnamite.. DlaiOg is kept down to itiinimum, and that helps. Carey i.s at hi.s iiest in this feature. Re markably fine .supporting cast a.sid from droU characterization contr! Iiulion by C.'athryn Johns as i^emme s'nerlff who throws up the sponge. Wear, LOUISVILLE (Continued from page 10) and 'Unknown Woman' (Col), dual, about $5,500, okay. Rialto (4th Ave.) (3,000; 16-25-40) —'Virginia Judge' (Par) and ama- teur stage show of 20 acts froni radio station WHAS. Getting in neighborhood of ?5,500, nice. Last week 'Fighting Youth' (U) and 'Co- coanut Grove Reyels' on stage, tal- lied a nice' $6,000. Brown (Ind.) (J,500;. 15.t25.-40)— Freckles' (Radio). Good family trade, and should garner $3,000, Last 'week Love Me Forever' (Col); couldn't stand the gaff, and pulled in favor of 'Calm Yourself (MG). Fashion revue witli local 50-voice chorus proved decidedly weak, and take a puny $1,800. Strand (4th Ave,)—'King Solomon' (U) and ' torm Over Andes' (U), dual, four days, took .$1,500. Tyvo^ day lapse while house occupied by Masonic Grand Lodge, and then Way Down East' (Fox) and 'Two Fisted' (Par), which brought the five davs' take to about $1,800, so-so. Last week 'Here's to Rornance' (Fox) and 'Chan in Shanghai' (Fox), dual, a fair $2,900. any. Anderson (Libson) (1,000; 25-40)—'Shipmates Forever' (WB). Headed for peachy $C.500, holds over. Last week 'Lucky liegs' (WB) ather light $2,500. ~ National (Ind). (2.400; 25)—'Death From Distance' (FD), with five acts vaude. Things taking a spurt at this Fifth street liouse, with im- proved stage presentations, should hit around $3,400, oke. Last week Circumstantial Evidence' (FD) and All-Star Frolics on stage, light !;2,400. . ' Alamo (Ind) (900; 15-25)—'Gets Her Man' (U) and 'Hell Harbor' (UA), dual, splitting with 'Ruggles' (Par) and 'Outlawed Guns' (U), dual. Nice $1,600 Indicated. Last week 'Java Head' (FD) and 'West ward Ho' (Rep),' splitting with Black Room' (C.ol) and 'Lady Tubbs' (U), took $1,300. 'HANDS' $7,500 PROV., IIFE' 14G COLUMBUS DISCOVERS TOMPEH'FOR OK $S,500 Columbus. Oct. 22. (Best Exploitation; Palace) Quiet week, with not much money In prospect anywhere. Palace and Ohio will split what biz there is. Grand still Is good for sight-seeing cash, with house only three weeks old. Xo break seen. In Majestlc-union wcr, with that theatre (RKO) still closed down. Dope went out It would open last- Friday (18), but doors didn't swing. When scrap is settled, house will probably go second run. Palace did good Job. on 'Pompeii,' Best bet was invitational preview to teachers night before show opened, which turned out abput 2,000 heads. Harry Schreiber, man- aiger, planted two volcanoes on mar- quee, abput 10 feet high, with steam piped iip' from basement out their tops, which look good. Effort to have them banned as fire menace, with protest going to fire dept. from 'Unknown source, brought biggest belly laughs of last year. Estimates for This W«ek Palace (RKO) (3,075; 30-42)— 'Pompeii' (Radio). Looks like best money in city, may take $8,600^. Last week 'Broadcast' (Par), same. Broad (LoeW-UA) (2.500; 30-42)— Without Regret' (Par). Will knock off low $3,750. Nobody wanted poor old 'Chan in Shanghai' (Fox) last week, only $3,000. Ohio (Loew-UA) (3,006; 30-42)— 'Live My Life' (MG). Should take good $7,000; Crawford popular here. 'O'Shaughnessy's Boy' (MG) rapped out hot $8,000 easily. Grand (RKO) (1,157; 25-35)— 'Redheads' (Fox). Will be lucky if it clears $2,500. 'Diamond Jim' (U) hot stuff, $4,250. GOOD ANTIPODeIiZ; 'BECKY'S' FEMME DRAW r* Providence, Oct. 22. (Best Exploitation: Loew's) Outlook generally satiefactoryv al- though thei'e are indications that one or two spots are going to take It on the chin. Entertainrtient strong- er than,usual, but the balance is in favor of Loew's where 'Live My Life' is showing on a double bill, and the Strand where 'Hands Across the Table' also tops twin picture program". Loew's campaign was the out- standing one by far tills weekl Tiie- atre marking seventh anniversary, and bally centered about this as well as on Crawford picture. Newspaper a.dvertising was boost- ed to the skies; many cooperative ads. also in eyidencei one In par- ticular having a direct tie-up with the theatre's anniversary. Largest local bakery supplied a birthday cake for the lobby, and'in addition used inserts in packages handed out to. patrons during organlogtie. Quarter page size ad was used by baltery in announcing stunt. Theatre also Used all thfe possible routine stuff, such as windows In downtown department stores. Estimates for This Week Loew's- State (3,200; 15-26-40)— 'Live My Lite' (MG) and 'It's In the Air" (MG). Swell bill surei to ap- peal, better chances for a bigger killing if show wasn't so, long; best house can figure on is four a day but $14,000 is going Some. Last week 'O'Shaughnessy's Boy' (MG) and 'Cartoonland Revue' didn't hold Up, so-so $9,000. Strand (Indie) <2,200; 15-26-40)— 'Hands Across Table' (Par) and 'Waterfront Girl' (Mas), Getting the crowds and with any kind of a break gross has even chance of bet- tering anticipated $7,500, oke. Last week 'Big Broadcast' (Par) arid 'Wanderer Of Wastelands' (Par) best thing in town with $11,600 for a nine-day run. Fay's (2,200; 15-25-40)—'This Is Life' (Fox) and Jimmie LUnceford's revue on stage. Bill okay all around but It's the stage show that's doing moist of the pulling, house figuring on at least $7,200, good. Last week 'Bad Boy' (Fox) and vaude was oke, too, at $7,000, RKO Albee (2,600; 16-26-40)— 'Pompeii' (Radio). Opposish too tough no matter how you look at it; on top of that w6rd-of-mouth and press notices are against it; unless there's a miracle gross is certainly not going dver $6,000 at the most. Last week 'Affairs of Susan' (U) and Stepin' Fetchlt on stage boosted gross to $9,200, good. Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 16-25-40)— 'Here's to Romance' (Fox) and 'Chan' (Fox). Pace tepid, and with the opposition denting the take, $6,500 looks like top figure, fair. Last week 'Farmer Takes a Wife' (Fox) and 'Dressed to Thrill' (Fox) held up nicely at $7,100. Sydney, Sept. 26. - Good solid biz here and heatthy coin should flow into the various box-offices. 'Becky Sharp' (Radio) goes into the hit class, mostly oh femme trade. 'Forgotten Men' (BIP) opened strongly and should stick. 'Farmer Takes a Wife' (Fox) is out after two weeks and replaced with 'Legion of 'Valour' (UA). '39 Steps' (GB) is okay, as is 'Lamps of China' (WB). 'Now I'm a Lady' (Par) and 'The Gla.'s ivcy' (Par) are doubtful, but may develop. 'After Offlcc Hours' (MG) and 'Sequoia (MG) opened nicely and arc set for run.s. 'Public Hero' (MG) and 'Vag.tbound Lady' (M(J) held over for - second weelt. 'in Callcnlc' (WB) Is okuy on one week. Melbourne. Sept. 20. Ko (,ro\vlH on bi/, witli 'No More Ladies' (MG), 'Imitation of Life (U),.'Gold Diggers' (WB), 'Dralce of Knglahd' (BIP). 'Carnival in Spain* fPar), and 'The Black Room' (Co\) doing okay. BILLY AND BEVERLY BEMIS NOW APPEARING EDGEWATER BEACH HOTEL CHICAGO, ILLINOIS FOR AN EXTENDED ENGAGEMENT MiiniiK('i'«'»t MILES INGALLS CURTIS & ALLEN OFFICE ICKO ItiilldlnK. ICfli'hrrrllrr rrnl«r New Vorh CMy, N. ¥.