Variety (Oct 1937)

Wednesday, October 6, 1937 FILM REVIEWS VARIETY COUNSEL FOR CRIME roiumbla production and release. Tea- i ntto Kiuper, Douglass Montgomery, ^T"w.auenno Wells. Directed by John BrXm acreenploy, Fred Nlblo. Jr., Qraca v-vilie I-ee Loeb, Harold Buchman; ff Sri Harold aitumates camera, Henry Otto Meyer. - At Varsity, Wncoln" dual. Bunninf ttme, 61 mlns. William Mellon Otto Kruger Paul Maddox..... .Douglaaa MpntgMnerjr 4nn Mclntyre ^... Jftcquelln* Wella ^nator Maddox..... ...Thnraton Halt Mri: Maddox .Nana Bryant «-ia-y., Gene Morgan Bdwin Mltfhell .Mnro l^wrence Ail Stewart Robert Warwick George Evuna Stanley Fields Entertaining for the moat part is 'Counsel for Crime/ but not o£ b.o. caliber. None of the cast is front rank, although several able perform- ers are listed. It's mostly Otto Kru- ger, a criminal lawyer who flxea alibis for his clients before they commit murder or mayhem. , Makeup department added to Kru- ger's glamour by handing him gray hair, which he wears attractively. General sltuatioA ftnda him the father of a child from one of those heaven-made marriages with Nana Bryant, and the lad ^ows up to study law, Douglass Montgomery. Mids Bryant, having married long s&ice and the wife of a senator, Thurston Hall, had adopted the boy and kept it a secret. On graduation day Kruger picks off. the lad «nd offers him a law-clerk's job, which is seized upon eagerly. * Thurston Hall gets the least crack at the picture of anyone, barely .showing in three frames, wmle^Nana Bryant adds to it with a show of motherhood turmoil, lest her secret get but. . Woo interest is conflned to Montgomery and Jacqueline Wells, latter an office stenog and very loyal to her boss (Kruger), even though his policies are shady. Yeggs doing their, bit are Stanley Fields" and Marc Lawrence, both up to their call. > Gene Morgan is the office handyman, and slightly comic. Douglass Montgoinery looks the part of the fledgling lawyer, all their usual top-heavy conceit, etc. He bears the weight of the world on his shoulders, and the earnest hope that ; throu.^h him' all the legal malprac- ' tice shall be erased. Even though Kruger is a bad egg, the sympathy all goes to him rather than his son, who is right before anything else. Film doesn't dally much, but builds directly to what the audi- ence feels must necessarily happen— the son be pitted against the father iri courtroom encounter. Writers added zest to it by having the father accused and confessed a murderer. After building all the sympathy for Kruger, he couldn't get a first de- gree charge stuck, of course, and so only goes to prison for 20 years. Fade is on his assurance to Nana 3ryant, who comes to see him in his cell, that both will be punished, but hevs is the worst. Won't disappoint those who get caught wiUi it on a dual. But will disappoint at the wicket if standing by itself. BttTn. Moonlight on the Range (WITH SONGS) Spectrum release of Jed Buell-Gcorge H. . CuliaKhan production. StQjrs Fred Scott. Directed by Sam Newfleld; story, Whitney , Williams; screen play, Fred Myton; camera. , Hobei't 011 lie; muslr, Don Swander and June Hershey. At Arena, dual, two days, Oct. '37. Running time, 52 mlns. Cast: Al St. John, IjoIs January, Dick Curtis, Frank lia Rue, Jimmy Aubrey, .Oscar Gahan, Georfre Morrell, Carl Mat- thews, Wade Walker, BUI McCall, Shorty Miller, Jack JSvana, Rudy Sooter. Selection of a snappier title would . have been more in keeping with the quality and speed of this all-around good western. Label might lead the kiddies to believe that it's a moon- light cream puff party and so have a reverse action at the b.o. Follow- ing the opening singing, run-off •speedily dissipates false impression 6t title and develops another zippy, fighting Sam Newfield second- runier. Newcomer Fred Scott is not of the pretty boy type, but, rather, a husky who looks more like what he's sup- posed to be than the rest of the . leather lads. His lusty baritone fits his frame and fits in neatly in sev- eral musical notches created for 'Shindig.' vSundown Trail,' 'Albu- querque' and 'As Time Goes On.' None of the songs is very good lyrically, but sound nice in the sage background, although all listen pretty much the same. Haart throb, Lois January, looks more at home in parlor type stories and would do well to steer clear of similar western roles. Because of the always overshadowing hero roles, femmes don't get much chance ft being anything but up-gazers while the big boys emote, which frequently makes the gals not a little ridiculous, •ner appearance is no exception. Suspected of being on the wrong side of the law, because of his evil naif-brother double, Scott is kept on me run by both the law. seeking his mae and the fact that he holds a grudge for his unsavory frere whom ne seeks to rub out. He fights his way into a job by licking a bully ex- loreman and flights his way clear of charires by finally collaring his orother in a mountain cabin and lit- eiaiiy wipmjT uo the floor with him. ■ ^" the yarn the killer b olher (Scott in dual role) wings - f ,!.J^°'19 » timed gun battle be- . "vecn the two. Shooting match Is very well staged, as is all the gun and fist work. Sam Newfield some- where learned the effect of good hand-to-hand battles, and uses them to advantage in all his prods with- out once kifling his grip on what might easily be too well staged. Capable support and good camera work enhance a better than average western film wherein even the horses are good and a little comedy is' found in an unusual jail escape.. Hurl. SMASH AND GRAB (BRITISH MADE) London, Sept. 21. General Film DIstrlbs releasr at Jack Buchanan Prod. Star* Jack Buchanan; features BIsle Randolph. Directed by Tim Whdlan. Screen play. Ralph Hpence, Jack Buchanan: original, Tim WhelHn; camera, Henry Harris. At Pboenix, London, Sept. 20. '37. Running time 77 mlns. John Forrest. .Jack Buchanan Alice Thomby KIsle Randolph Malvern ....Arthur Harsetson Pallno Anthony Holies Cappelano Kdmund Wlllard Bellini...... .....David Burns Rankin., , I .awrence OroNitmlth Carole. /.oe Wynn Prashlns I^i wrence Hanray As near an imitation of 'The Thin kfan' as could be wished for. There is a distinct difference in produc- tion cost from all angles, but the British attempt is an excellent one and should be good entertainment, as well as a big draw in the prov- inces and might even be a desirable second feature for the U. S. The West End might jibe at it, however, because its story won't stand analy- sis. Buchanan plays' a suave, noncha- lant detective for a burglary insur- ance Co., which' is suffering from the operations of an international smash and grab ring. Elsie Randolph has the role of his wife, who has to participate in her husband's busi- ness, accepting jobs as a jeweller's assistant in a Bond Street shop, and submitting to the proprietor's dis- lonorable attentions; then descend- ing one step lower, as manicurist in a barber shop which is the head- quarters of the gang. This pair of musical comedy lumi- naries reveal concealed talent as straight actors, and never once re- sort to either song or dance.' More or less of a daring experiment for Buchanan, who displays an earnest- ness and sincerity one doesn't look for or expect. Small, but competent, cast, well directed, with- good photography. But whoever heard of a barber's mud-pack hardening on the face of a dead man and, when removed, breaking into large sections which could readily be put together and form a death mask? Jolo. WHISTLING BULLETS (WITH SONG) Ambassador release of Maurlcp Ponn pro- duction. Features Kermlt MaynariJ and Harlene Wood. Directed by Jack Hnellflh. Screenplay by .Toseph O'Donnell from. Htory by James Oliver Curwood; Ulm editor, Richard G. Wray: -long:, Connie lifle; cam- era. Jack GreenhalRh. At Ohaloner. N. Y,, double bill, Oct. 5, '37. Running time, 68 mlns. Iiarry Graham Kermlt Maynard Tim Raymond ..Tack InRram Anita Saunders Harlene Wood Ace Beldon.. Marston Wllllama Capt. Saunders Gnice Mitchell Dave Stone Ka.rl HacUett Sam. Sherry Tansey Bart Cllft Parkinson Karl...I Cherokee Alcorn THE WESTLAND CASE Universal release of Lorry Fox-Irvine Rtwrr production. Features Preston Foster. Carol Hutfhea, Barbara Pepper. Dlrcclcd by Christy Cabnnne. Screenplay by Rob- ertson White from Jonathan Latimer's novel, 'Headed for a Hearse,' Camera, Ira Morgan. Reviewed In Projection Room, N, y., Sept. 80, '87. Running time, «!i mlns. Detective Crane .Preston Foster Hmlly Lou Carol Hughes Miss Kogan Barbara Pepper Williams. ...i Frank Jenks "rentlno ...Astrld AlUvyn Bplston George Meeker Wcstland., .Theodore Von Eltz Pfazee Clarence Wll."5on Woodbury Russell Hicks flprague roIIo Lloyd Warden i Selmer Jackson Mtrom Thomas Jackson Hnvcmeyer ,..., Ben Lewis Bookkeeper .Charlie Murphy Fedfo .Eddie Kane Mannia Grant ....Thomas Qulnn Taking the reverse to the usual slant on a crime-mystery story, with an innocent man ready for execu- tion, only a few days before s super- detective is tumied loose on the case, this Crime Club story fails to meas- ure up to its potentialities. 'West- land Case' represents expensive pro- duction values, careful producing and several good acting efforts, but it seldoni rises to its initial promise. With an apparently innocent man headed for the chair, the high- powered Sherlock of this fable is handed the assignment of gathering sufficient evidence to warrant a re- prieve. There were numerous angles for building the talents of the sleuth, but only a few were taken advantage of; Those that were over- looked or which were not aptly maneuvered are what weaken the whole fabric. Presumably the authors and pub- lishers of 'Headed for a Hearse' novel would have difficulty. Just the same as film fanal will, in following the mystery and attempts to solve it. There is such a thing as making it too baffling for screen consumption. Such is the ease here. Audience is not let in often enough on what De- tective Crane is doing or striving to accomplish. There is not sufficient excuse for his bragging. Preston Foster might have done better with brighter dialog. Carol Hughes is okay as the sweetheart of the condemned man, and Frank Jenks again scores as comic relief, Barbara Pepper, as the voluptuous playgirl blonde, gives a nice imita- tion of Mae West even' down to one or two lines. Importance of her in the plot seems to have been a pro- duction afterthought to give the yarn more feminine appeal. George Meeker provides his usual steady performance. Remainder of cast is featured by expert portrayals by Astrid Allwyn, Theodore Von Eltz, Clarence Wilson, Rollo Lloyd and Edna Salee. Christy Cabanne's -direction repre- sents one of his weaker attempts. Ira IVIorgan is fair in his photograph- ing with the location work done around' Chicago outstanding. Larry Fox and Irving Starr produced with an eye for making it a topflight entry. 'The Westland Case,' aside from lacking marquee names, is only strong enough for duo combos. Wear. Inside Stuff-Pictures Heavy play being given the Jack Doyle-Judith AUen-Delphine Dodge love triangle, with Mi.ss Allen's f2,000,000 alienation suit providing the highlight of the week, has brought both Doyle and his Irish shadow, Jimmy McElveen, to the attention of producers. Both Hibernian lads look like fairish bets for films. Doyle's glamorous history since he first broke into print as a crooning heavyweight mounted to swift climax after climax the last few months with the colorftil backgrounds of Lake Tahoe, Cal-Neva, Reno, and now Hollywood figuring prominently. Doyle stands around six feet four, and is a good-looking youngster. Mclleen has a lot of m.c. ex- perience behind him in NY niteries and now wants to act. In the east, an indie film in which Doyle had a bit is getting quick re» vival bookings, with Doyle's name going up on the marquees. 'Whistling Bullets' is noteworthy in proving what an indie producer, having a limited budget, can accom- plish with a story about Texas Rangers when film-making staff works intelligently. Instead of a meandering cactus fable, film is nearly a full hour of tingling excite- ment, action galore and nicely pitched suspense. It should rate high on twinners where they relish western fare. For once, the scripter followed closely the general idea of the orig- inal author, James Oliver Curwood. it hinges on the effort of the Ranger high command to locate stolen money, by placing one of his force in prison and getting the western outlaw outside so he can tip-off where the swag is cached. Not only has the escape episode been cleverly done, but it has been kept subordi- nate to the exciting events that trans- pire in the open spaces. Kermit Maynard, the Ranger who lives to capture the bandit and his pals with the stolen cash, looks 50% improved since his efforts several months ago. It may have been the direction, dialog and events but his performance here indicates he is building in deserved popularity. Looking like a Ranger, Maynard now adds some acting ability to his ath- letic feats. Remainder of cast is well chosen, with Harlene Wood as an acceptable boyish heroine; Jack In^ gram, Maston Williams. Karl Hackett and Bruce Mitchell adding much to the realistic ring of happenings. Story is kept moving at an even tempo by director Jack English, who has cashed in on several suspenseful moments eflectively. Joseph O Don- nell has done commendable script- ing, with the producers wi.sely mak- ing the smooth dialog incidental to the acUoii. Jack Greenhaiah's pho- tography, except for a few lai^se.'f. i-s unusually good. Ylza.r. Life Begins with Love Columbia production and release. Stars Douglu.sH Montgomery, Jean Parker. Dl- rpcted by Raymond B. McCarey. Screen- play. Thomsjs Mitchell and Brown Holme.s; story, Dorothy Bennett; camera, Luolcn B.illard; editor, Viola Lawrence. At Var- .slty, Lincoln, dual. Running Mnie, 72 mill!). •'urole Jean Parker Drake IV ,..Dougla.<ts Montgomery •Jortle Edith FcUowes Mllllicnt Leona Marlde Colonel Drake Lum.Hden Hare Hol)prt.s Aubrey Mnther Afc'Jraw .Tames Burko Mr.s. Murphy Minerva Ureral ManPhlld Scotly HeckeU rttevie Joel DrvIh Maggie Joyce Kay One of the lesser prints, strictly of second feature classification. Limp- ness of the story lays with Douglass Montgomery's carriage of an already simpy role in simpy fashion. Ex- cellent work on the part of Jean Parker is unable to get it out in the open. Detracts a bit, also, to have her go hook and line for Montgom- ery's lacey characterization. Fourth in line:to inherit millions, Montgomery is following the tradi- tional path—^liquor bottles, women, etc., while plans are being laid to transfer to him all the vast holdings now operated by his grandfather, Lumsden Hare. • While wiell-juiced one evening, he promises a street corner soap-boxer's audience he'll give all his jingle away when he in- herits it. Contrasting, Jean Parker .runs a nursery school, with one problem child, an orphan, Edith Fellowes. Hookup is that the school wSis en- dowed by the Drake (Montgomery) millions, and in seeking refuge from the lawn clamorers for the share- the-wealth program, Montgomery scrams to it and gets a job as janitor to hide out. Ointment fly is Leona Maricle, who wants to marry the Drake millions through a slight altar procedure involving the pickled grandson. Film belongs to Jean Parker and Edith Fellowes, most of the gofngri- on directly involving or attrib'utaWe to them. For a nursery-Schooler, Instance of the way cooperation often goes between foreign press and studio publicity department is case of a correspondent who got a tip-a foreign star was coming in ahead of schedule, and called up publicity department to let him know when they got a confirmation. Studio had none, and each day the correspondent called up they said they were with- out word, but would call him back qs soon as they knew when she was due in. Scribe's daily tickler got pretty tiring all around and studio asked the correspondent not to be so worried about it, they'de surely let him know long enough before her arrival for him to meet her at the fiying field. Two hours after studio assurance correspondent picked up an afternoon paper and on page one was a picture of the star. Story revealed star had arrived from abroad the day before. Though no official explanation was issued this week as to why Pathe newsreel views of the Chinese-Japanese struggle were withdrawn in the previous week, cameramen learned that Pathe newsreel officials were in- censed over Universal hewsreel's attempt to put the finger on the clips as old shots from the previous Sino-Japanese trouble. One report that the Government ordered the Pathe clips withdrawn was discoimted by rival newsreels, with executives recalling no previous instance where Federal authorities ordered any deletions In the last 10 years. Th^y said that there have been instances wher6 the secretary to the chief executive had 'sug- gested' certain changes but these wei^o made only as a request. Cost sheets for costumes on Warners elaborate color production, 'Adven- tures of, Robin Hood,' have run into a very pretty penny, around $439,000 up to now, according to estimates of the costume department. Olivia de Havilland has 18 changes, all her gowns b^ing expensive brocades costing around $800 each. Each of the 45 court ladies has nunieroua changes cost- ing from $75 to $200 each, while more than 200 specially designed male costumes figure in the budget as well. Mllo Anderson is superintending the costumes. Film also requires heavy expenditure for props while the cost of keeping the company out on location a month or more will make 'Robin Hood' run well oVer the $1,000,000 mark. Gang of femme scril>es from the Boston papers in Hollywood recently gandering the lots set such a terrific pace that a flock from a rmajor studio who had been assigned to squire them had to go to a hospital threatened with pneumonia superinduced by fatigue. Other publicity boys cried a halt because they couldn|t take it with the fast-stepping gals from Bean- town. Same bevy of femmes also was spotlighted at a number of swank social functions in the film colony and came through with colors flying higher than the Bunker Hill monument proving themselves snappy on the uptake. Pix execs who were planning a certain deluxe cruise next winter to South America were allegedly told there was a raci^il quota by the travel bureau who have the winter cruise under charter. Some went over to another cruise, but lately, with the market crash, the number of reserva- tions lias created a new attitude. The film bunch, many of whom counted on visiting S. A.. exchanges while en tour, are still burning and plan making an issue of it either with the foreign line or the travel bureau. Paramount turned a chilly eye not long ago when Warners tried to borrow Porter Hall for a top role in 'The Adventures of Robin Hood,* offering $3,000 a week for the player's services, considerably more than he draws from Paramoimt. Hall was eager to play the part but no dice with his bosses, who needed him for 'True Confession.' Now he's washed up with that chore and Paramount, with nothing else for him to do, has cast him in a routine role in 'They Knew What Happened.' Jean is probably the best looker and best dresser ever to draw pittance salary. The Fellowes kid^ capability established several times before, is a harum-scarum with ideas about buckets of blood, murder mysteries, and an otherwise rampant imagi- nary. Miss Maricle, clothes-horse mostly, is best in a short interlude while Si Wills (unbilled) is doing photos of her in bridal finery. She stops tirades and goes to milk-and- honey poses several times in a split second. In oddity, the tagging of an Italian woman with an Irish name, in- herited from her husband, works out amusingly with Minerva Urecal. In the juvenile section, Joel Davis and Scotty Beckett take it away several times. Former is a cUte one, way- laid at every opportunity by the latter, a self-styled 'problem' child.' Film is a bad break for Miss Par- ker, who has been out for some timfe. Will see the lesser bookings ex- clu.siely. Batn. THIS IS CHINA T.i»on We'-hMler proihidlon aiid Indie re- IcaHf. Cuincra, l^rl"' Bcrnu; niunlcal score, Alfrpil TThI; niirrutlve fommfntary, Jack Fo.MlPi", narration, Ahijs Xnvrllla; American r<'-'>'1ltlii(f, Ben Uadln. Al ("ameo. N. Y., week Oct. 4, '37. Ilunning lime, 08 mlns. Inside stuff on present-day China may have some vogue because of in- terest created by the war. situation. Picture as first shown needs cutting badly, but contaips some fine photog- raphy and a high proportion of un- usual shots. Coverage is wide and includes shbts made in Mongolia, the Yangtse Valley, life of a typical Chi- nese farmer, and scenes of daily life in Pekin and Shanghai. Back-breaking labor and daily ac- tivity of the average Chinaman is shown to be so far below western standards of living that the routine of an auto belt worker seems Uto- pian by comparison. Coolies pulling ricltshaws, oarsmen, practically in galley slavery, and other human power machines are pointed up to suggest that the only way many can find happiness is in escape via the illegal opium pipe. Shots of a bona flde opium den, with addicts serving as performers, will undoubtedly be considered the most interesting parts of the film. A subsequent police raid on the den. shooting of those who try to escape, and the hospital prisons In which ad- dicts are placed are further high spots of the picture. Responsibility for spreading the opium habit in China is placed squarely at the door of John Bull's avarice and Japan is blamed for the present-day smug- gling of the dream poppy into China to lindermine morale, Numerotis shots of invading Japa- nese are accompanied by comment which would serve its purpose bat- ter if understated and if more clear- ly directed at military officials who rule Japan. - Sections of the film reveal modern progress in China. Expert medical attention is brought to a cholera struck community, to contrast with treatment by ritual and prayer shown earlier. The frankness of this picture made by a Swiss expedition headed up by Leon Wechsler, who also did 'Win^s Over Utopia,' contrasts favorably with the Amkino handout on the same bill titled 'Jubilant March' showing the anniversary hey-hey of Russia's national minorities in Red Square. The usual European group gym- nastics, mass alley-OOP, and ju»^M=ng through hoops for Comrade Stalin, who smiles through all 20 minutes of this film, is a poor contrast (as a pic- ture) to this realistic film study of an unhappy nation. Commentary bv Jack Foster of the N. Y. World-Telegram staff could have been better, with narratinn by Alois Havrilla too much in the traveloc style for this type of pic- ture. Ben Radin. resportsiblo for the American re-editing, i.s the son of the Cameo's owner, Mat.ty Radin,