Variety (Dec 1937)

yARIETY WeCm^^ 193f I^L TAKE ROMAPIC6 . roliimlira. iiniiliiotlbn. ' aniV rolnnsc.: -Stars O.i-aci) ■ Mo'ore; foaVurea ■ .Melv-Vn -Douif Ilolc-ri AVesliey. Stuiivt' .Ei'wlti, .DlroeteU Ijj^ K^Jwai'd H.. Urifllili. . Story -.l>,v jilfipherj Kiiy-ftmuse Avery;' liiKirifillon,. -GcoVrC .'Op- perihislmor,. JunVs' Murfin;- xsuiiit:!, fiiwii-n Aritlrlot;- tv-ini;, OscarvHiiijriini'i'stoln iiml Ben OuKliiiid. .. IlDdIo (JUy MU!<lo, HiVll. N. :Y., wueU Ooe. lO, "37..' lliiniVlTie tlhio, f!^. nilns.' . ' . "'V' . , !;; OrfiOo ' Sioore , /Afclvyn;.,I)i)iifefii.s ... J^Uiart.' Ki-.wl'n .'.,.IvTiirjf .ircf Mnml 1 Con . . \VaHer KlrtRjirord . ,•. i ,. , ..IJu'h.'inl Citl-lc .VCM-tllumul OoUschJilk i-; . . Rpl her . ifu'lr . . .■; Km hk . Mrcst . . vV. \V»Uer fittihl , . Unvry' .Novtorr .'. ;i T.volo. V tITei;ii« ,,. •. ;■.'.>ttenniaro !' f urei ;.. ...^Marvk Wintiltclin K.lsii Terry James GillhVlu..■ 3VIiii(liime. 'Dellii.. •Fanoho' l^rowii. MarKoti... Will lain KuiKJ... RiuTl',... .vVr..;. !Mon>*leur tSlnanl Pamela.. . . . ; Pinkcrl.on., . Johniii... . ... 1.;., Juan'....; . :, Senor Montt^ii... Pomi'til.., i .Vi.., Hciirl,., '. ■:.. , lUl Take Romanes' holds "dose to, thei' jGrace iVitiore forniulia arid svims tip" . as ; pretty . 'good entertairi.rnentV Mis5vRioore sings lots. of gr.ia,Tid.opera' excerpts, in this; <)rie,-..with the. arias : not^ajcirig thfemselves tp&.dbtfusiVe durtnjg the-unwinding ot a-hic^ little Toni^nce.;. ; A she's being pur- isued;, As thei, guy. tWeit does .the .pur- ; Suing/Melvyri Douglas plij>s 'the: light.i comiedy tbuGh. expertly . and ihgrar, ti'itingly,' The . Grace. Mopre .-fans now' Inipw .What to .expedt fi'om Her pictures, arid ;this one: should send , em away satisfied iand- give thie boxr of ftce a bit of a sparkptugging.. • . . . Story, itsielf isn't of the sock -sort, •b ut^tlseivfiiE^ainJaZ^ wJiich: to Jiang the :-diver,s and devi- ous, doings- of a diva. .Even thpii.gh the- ;arid .mojiients aren't ri^gli there is fenptigh . comedy -iriaterial fpr the.-cast to chew over and keep , the unreeling'studded;, with laughs .and gi.ggles. •. Pairt.-assign^d to Stuair.t Er^ : win finds him vip, the rijght. alley arid .collecting. hands'bmelyV while ' Helen ■We^tley, cast as the diva's shrewish dueriria .arid mentor,, bunts many a fiac Une.'splidly over-the bar; 'Repertoire, strung together-: .fbr : Miss :Moore- is happily.., diyiersified. and easily . \yi thin the, general- keriv; Th^ quality of voice arid; -interpret^- tiori leave nothing wanting; and the stq^irtg' of;the:.operatic nuggets ..deft-, ly meet . the, Tequlrements M the ' inedlum. The selection; are from' 'La TriSviata/, 'Mai:tha,' 'Manpn* arid •Madiame Butterfly.' .What will Irkely take the best toll on the:popu- lar e^r is Miss Moore's treatriierit of th^VMaissenet score's 'Giavotte.,' .The; filni'5 theriier, co-authored by Oscar Hammct"stipii[i- 41 and . B^^ Oakland, is ^catchily Interpolated- for . thtee hearings.. ■. Also . tossed into .the musical pot is a hillbilly dittV,. 'She'll. Bie Gomin'. ArPurid the/ Mpuntain/, •with . the sh^rp c6ri.ti:as,t in general accounting ^or prte. . of the pictufe's . iriitoe pleasing iriterliides.; ' Piroduction keefps" itself cbrisistent- -ly pitched in'-the bleeryireyed riioPd that it affects frprtr the start. • Doug- las steps around spryly in' word and situation,:. Making, . the : most 'of, a' character concepts that -ha^ becbfne as'.staridardized. in. recdrit Alms-: as ■ was the.- old rriustachioed- heavy.' He even: indulges: in:.slapsticlc; but with onfer oiiie prattfall arid no pie-stbpr ; (pin*.: Erwin; pl.ays ■ Dovlglas^ :■:man• , .Friday:' with r.thie .flipiiiess: of one wha; r . has beeri' thrbugh riiany • similar rou- tiiie.s , pef oi-e,and. cbmpourids plenty - riiidsectors. ..One ot the standout laugh bits oi the; .filrn . takes ;place diuririg one: of , the pperaitic. sessibns.. The bored Erwin resorts, to foridl.irig a ,p<iir of ditie across his printed prb? : graMi DbuglaS; quietly slips put:;,a b'll :arid nudgies" it over. tQward thie. dice. Erwin. is . shocked out. 'hi^ drowsy .agreement to cover the bet when ia dowager sitting on. the other side of .hirn: slides pyer-a challehgirig br.nkriot^! of her own, . ' " ■ .fJa.rartive stews .oyer,the efforts of an. Airierican.:.re'Uden,t,- Pi Bueribs Aireg to iet the 4iva ;to fulfllla icon-^. tract she had .iriade . fbr sbme .operia eri.aasiements in Argeritirie. " She had decided to. sidetrack:: this ;date : be-: cause of k better differ subseqiieritly X%T«riye"d'~^briTj"PaTisf^ chasing pri: Dpujilas' part and dpdg- ing by the soprano^; ^tlie •fprme:r finally tricks hiniself into her pres.'^ erice. yrhat follows, pivots around h'.Th-pre.isurc wooing,. ihafcie-be-, lieve. kidnaping , aboard, a ship arid . an')t.her: < frorri: • the. Buienbs : -Aires oT^'v house to :;Eibuglas' hjacienda, n->"-'!Ollaneous : ;.misunderstandings,; anil. the eventual, clinch; a Odec. -: Ev^ry, s.;a.: judges- -the acting career:, of • Ma'e; West,, itnever shall be said; that, she was ever dull, ■ - And her. new -fllrii, 'Every - Ddy's. ai Holiday,'. written - by heifself,.' is:: a .. lively,. innoc.ubusiy: bawdy ' arid rowdy ■ .'eritevtairimcrit,. mpre typical of- the star of 'She Doric: Him VWrong* than her other : recerit- YChicles. ■ At the?: present: moriient Mi^s; West's public relations, 'aire sprite what, en tangled by criticisms of a- recent :.riati'onal., broadcast.,:; Such, protests are likely , tp:'have-, ^cbin- mercial'irifluerice, for good or.jll,: on the exhibitions of her latest: picture;: It is certain she .wiU riot ;attract the. rnorally cohservativer-bXit then, she never did.- ■■- ■],'■:-■:::■. ■ Miss. .West's new : characterizatipri 1 is of a'3ow,ery girl.' riarned Fcach:es^ O'Day,- one tirne. actress of :the 90's', Whereas t)iambrid Lil; .despite ..cer- tain shortconniirigs,. possessed, a heart: of gold; Peaches: O'Day- is a cori-girl, with liberal yiewS' on the/subject :'of larceny. She is; :nbt:.disihbliried to isteal'frofri, hei": men friends; arid ..She always is; iri trouble With' the ppjice. tiil;: was:.ami4sirig,:.Peiaches .nriuch;.lesS so, arid rather ■dangeirouS.-besides.^.- -':- Most action, of the story, takes.: place |ri New York on :Nfiw Year's, 1900, : when: therev waS^ niuch gayety incidental, to the start' Of a. new. cen- tury iWhich ; promised :permarient be^ipe arid, iiriinterrupted' proisperity.,: Peaches ,has been absent frorh such jpirits as:''Trigger.': Mike's, but the lirge for some innocent furi brings. hier back to town; after she trims a yokel for ,$200;'' In : her firiery, re- ^ieemyd-frbrn-a-pa wri shop, , s he: .stepsf uptown^: to ~see".lh'e^ "excitement, t Her: presence soon is known, to the police, but not until af ter -shicv has caught a new victiiii .for shakedown,', the leader Pf : the vrefprm cpnimittiee. • .Uriidcr threat :bf arrest Peaches- takes the boat :tb Bpstoh, Hppijng that tiriie will .iaissuage the criminal cbm- plaint. .^ T^^^ . Sihe disgu.ises. fis. Mile. Pifi, and .retuirns . to :Brbadway :-a5 a •Firerich. riiusic hall linger. .Her. dis-. guise, is''good, ^ although', not good erioitigh • to: deceive Capt;. MciCarey, chief of detectives.; :'She,. wins, his. confidence. When she entices the po-" litical.: boss. ■ With the assistance :bf the refbrm: group she successfully manages to gfet McCarey- elected mayor of the city. . Through all this . Miss West . sways her: hips arid tosses, her-plumes in her inyimitable: minner. ; She sings, a not .very naiighty spng ' by ; Sam Goslow; • It is somewhat renriiriiscent of her earlier" conception and lacks surprise and npyelty. The meh. char- actefs in .the:fibn:ar.e broadly..drawri.. Edniund Lbwe is the police hero, and Rives a good account of. hiinself;. There is: substantial comedy relief supplied by Charles . Winriiriger, as the blu^ering . chairman of the re-, ffbrmers; Charlies Butterworth. 'his butler and political adviser;..'Walter Catlett, :Rtay : producer, arid , Llbyd- Nolan, the crobked boss, , There are. lesser part^ •^capably played ;by Roger . Imhbl. Herman. Bing and Chester. Conklin. ; Louis Armstroni; lead^ his band in'a street parade. George .Rector appears .in a^ shprt seauience. laid '* in a- replica bf his: ohe^tirrie restaurant. . : Miss: .West carries: all the femiinine; iriterisst, .as- there are :• 'other woriien ' : the cast. .: :-:.-~ Filrri has :beeri giverii /a ;gbod prb- ductiori b.v Emanuel • Cohen* : and A. Edward, Sutherland's.: direction' suc- ceeds in:' hi^hrlightirig' the ; comedy incidents, Some of the , gags are: pvierdorie, sutih as the. bldti me seltzer bbttle spray and the theft of somie costumes, irom a store windbw;' With the; /.inevitable - substitution of : the thief for one of: the: Wax modiels; j : The 'Westiari- dialog- is pungent; sometimeis funny,: consistentl-y bright, with olehty of dbuble entendre, riorie of which is objectibnable; .: F.Iin. HQSALIE ■ (MUSICAL )f. Miniature Rey^ 'I'll 'Take Rainanc,e* , .(Cpl). Amply diyerting fabl6 about a diva. :\yh6'is- romaBced'into ful-f . irtllirig. an bpei'atic : date, .Grace Mobjre starred..-,Studded.: w.ith arias .of Surefire pppular appeal. : : 'Every, Day's a Hp <Par)j.' ..Mae :We'st ". in; .'a. returin^ ■ Bpwei-y; of ^900! .:Gbp^ from. Edmund lJb^ye; - Charles Butteirworth, Chai'les Winhihger ;: arid .W£ilt?r;.Catlett.-.\.„..-• ■ vx. ■^ \. . . '''Ro^'lie-''V!(MG)V' -^Nels^^^^ dy; jrieanoi' PowelJ, Frank Jiibr'r ■ gain,: I'Edtria : May. ■OliVery^'llay ; :BQlgei"Carid others in ah. elabr O'rate musical extravaganza. Has. intertwining features; despite :it^ " • massiyeness.-' :Runs: over' .two ' hpiirs, '.: '{■■:) ■ :.::■■'-:- •: .T ... ■ 'hoiiliywpid Hotiir <MrB>^ ;:musical-:bpmedy;:-:^^ {■:./.:::.. :.'I|tfaiineq[uin'': ''(MG)..:;:-.Joan 'CraWfo,rd;v and Spencer ••"Tracy teamed.;:..Frank .Borz skillfully,: and ^iilrii.. shoUid' CO back: tb bpxbf flees the . big Craw-' ford follb\vihg,; •■' { -'-r. 'Love and Hisses' (20th).; Wincheli, Bernle : and; Siirnone Simon 'impri^gnate this musical. for big b.p. Value. -::<Charlie:-ChanatJVIoiit«:.CarJoL: r (l2Qth );^ 'Warner- Qlaiid's 16th: In -last' six years, somewihat' under . averager in sei;iiesi ■ but> o;k. ,;ipJ:: duals and- nabesir: '. .!BulIdior: : DruihmW Xie-.' .■ yenffe.'-..' ;:i[.'Par ).' • .'B*:,^' detectiye .■ ;.fictipn that . Will - ^get' ■ .by • in shiailer houses and on duals./. ', . !L0ye on Tdast*^ Hokey^ , slapstiGk . .cprrvedy serves.: principally^to-show. ppssibilitie •of $tieliia., Ardler;. fpr .aftei^ ppr- tipri of diialer^;' ,■. ; :' 'iPrescrlplion,. ror :; RonuuMe': . ('U).. .'.:Mischa\;^ Barrie and Kent-Taylpr in sorsb dualer;;•;:.. '. .-.':; V 'SerKeani Muypliy' (Warnfers)^ Tale abput i horse :(which wins the .Grarid. l^atiprial,;^^ W . who .wiris' the colpriel-s daugh- ter, and the cbloriel,:who. loses a bet.' ■ Brisk 'fare.-.-- •■ /^Ciider ; Susplclfi^ V (Cbi;); - Stars;! jack" Hjjlt •.in a m.urder' meUer . which- makes:/ a good . dualler,.': .:..' a reginient for the milU«iry escoi't. The newly wed couple probable have' 15 bridal:.isuites. .;'-:■ 'A,: - •■ ;;•;. ,- Williaip Anthony McGuire, who wrote 'The Great Ziegfeld,: is author- producer of -Rbsalie,' and W.- S. Van Dyke ('Thin Man* arid 'San Ffancisi- CO-) is the diirector, :Cble' P<>fter has Writeih new music and lyrics* :.Be- tween them they have concocted: a reiinarkabie eritertaintrierit, riiuch too iorig, but not without its high.isppts ,bf - enjoy merit.. ThcsC: aire riot in the extravaganza, passages, 'i^1pressiye /as^ they: are, although bverprodueed::ancl Ill-suited to r the romantic librettd, •the iritimWe bits are excellent. Mor- gan iis very funny in a.:'rUnnirig gag with a 'CJharlie McCarthy/ arid Billy Gilbert is ; anilUsing as .an. airport Of- ficial;- ■:";-.>: ■■.:■, ':■■ S: ':>^ ■;-■■■ ••' Ther'e is intierest in the first, screen appearance in Ariierica bf Ilona.Masr. sey; whorii .Metro has: beea grboming for two •:years.She is a very ;attrac-; tive yburig vi'.omah; .pqssessing ; con- siderable-self-aissurarice and a voice of Wide rarigev She. is at a disadvan^ tage in an urisympathetic part,v. but seems to have talent,. " ; additipri ;:to jOOkS. '■ • V'.: \ ': '■'■■■/,■.' ' - ;..^:. -'- ::.■• Jtay isolger, a gbod cbrriediari- and rated tops arilbng legit dancers; is the real discovery in :'R;osaUe.! His Ti.iimpr: is cfean, iirifdiced arid, sporitaricous^ His prily dance, is a flash. \^Rrobably there:was no. room.for any more; • ..;-; -::-•-.:■;'■;■:'.Fltn.":-' HpLLYWQQP HQTEL Hollywopdi' Piesc, 21.- - : Warner Bros, - reipao? -^if Flrt<t National prodqction. . ^-Ntiitur^ff DIcK I'owcll, Roae:* rtiat-y liaiw, ' HuBh .Heri)*rt. .Ted .Heal^.- OlehdaFun-ell.; Directed by Bup.by Berkeley. Story by : JeiTy Walt! tin.tt Waurice :L*o; .sereeh : play , by'.-Wald. I.eo ^'iinrt .Bldhiir*! Macauley.; .soiiKfi, ' .Dlok ' . Whltlnj? "«htl Johnny Mereerj .caiheni;.. (Tharles. RoBher.v PrevU?ved' at WB's, Hollywop4,-.Dtc. aOi •a?. . Riinnlnk time, 100. iiilriB. .. . ; :. .-4:.-..-.; DIok :.PoweU ■ ..-.. .l.K.>lii .L»\ne, ..y...l.i.Ted Hea)y .:..•; J<)hnnlfe:'D'AviB ;. ..AlH:i»VMo\vbray;^ i iVhxfiQiti- :T.nhBfo.rrt . . . .... . j Keri NJIeg: ,.. t^.:".. Al.Iyn ■ Joslyn. ,.. ^ISclgur .Kennedy. ..i . ii . . , ;;Curt ,]Bol9 . .Kddle AcUff ', .'...Sarah :KdwnrdB ......>\>IIy; Mah^r. ...:.. ...Ti'lbby Ta j-lor : ..' ,...T'aul. -lr\-li-ig-. ,.. .'ilosejnary. Xnne ;.. . .Hujfh Herbert ,. ..;.tj lenda. Farrcll. 1...'. -A>uella Paraons vi , . .\Iabel .Todd .,'., ..I.Terry Cooper , . l')uiiiii& -.ThonipMoh 7f .:.'-.tJTaT\t Mitchell- ..........Kritz .Fein; i.-;-. Perc Ty-estmor^. ,:,Clinton -nosemo.na; i:.::AVHIIam r)avl(l.<Son . •.. ;-'.:(SeoriRlu :Coojier i^-Jo^ RomanliiVl UonnleHoyvers.;,. Mona: MuniihaVl... . ..V.: Fuzzy :.'.'..•;:. .....'. -... CSeor.Kla-.... .... . '. Alexander .p.iipi'e;... Alice ...;:....... vi...-.'.. Kcri.-SMle».-. neriii.e WaU<>n.. ..:... CollnKh.ih: „ ...-;... Dre.ss PemsjneV.;. ... .. Camcramah ;. Mrs.- Al.irvhHli:.,.. ., Asst. Director 4>rew':. xJlfeb:;.. ;v.•;:;:..-.:.. • .Bfam:\vell, ., .-,-.....-... virKinja .. •<:;.... Che.st:er 'Marshall .;, .TgnSsy; ...-...... f.ouel l.t: .J'il i-.soVuM Dot; W:u-Miuid .Terry, .pooper.:;. i ■ ■...'.. D'uane Thnmi>.M6n'<.... n;: ii. :FaUinin::,. . .Th'e : RiiS-sian..... ';;.-.:, P^rc WOstrtiore.;.; ;..••.-. Colored: Man.<. ..'i': Director Keljtoh.;.;,., Seamstreas: .r..;..,:-; i ; i, • (WITH SONGS) • Hollywood^ Pec. 21. Pnraniiir • r('l^a.<!.e -.ot-' EmanbHl ('(.fu-ii'a l-icilo'ii:.; Sl.-ii.s-Aiub Wca^. :plre<.-l«d, liy /. ivVward ■ .Siii horliind. - -S'-ory; and •:;s.freen- pla • by .'Maf^ W'e.Mt. •■.'l»roduV:llon .TnanaKef, • Jo-) .NMdPl! lllin .e(lll.or.,.;^iay-CHi:tls8; taiiiera,' K;irl..!itni>:Si spevlMi! effect?',.: Clordoh ■ Jen- riiv':;; -, ni!i,slral . <l|,rec(l)cinr. -GSfeorke •: Stoll;. .B<J.^''^!>. .Sanj; ('oslow ^ nvusloT! ■arri(nBeinerils;< j." 0 . JihiTiiUi^ir;'' Vilartce': pn.s(imT)I«'.i!," "r>eRoj"-' I'i.'-UZ. ; : A.siilStant . difPVloi-. -. 'lC-.ir.l-: Tt.o.t.di;, J*rcvlr.\ved at :"Alcx-an<lej: IboaU'e.' ';01eiiilale,: l'"^ V 1.S; JtiinnlnK H:hie..:.'*0 wilh.'i. • T ;■^■)^ft^ 6■■i)l\y.}. .:..... : ,V.;'."-. Atue WcKt lilll^. Fill , ::.'■ . J.',.; - ,.: < •■■ In • JloCarej'.'.:.;. ... .:v.-.:. VJdlnu.nd ■ T.oWp C\T.\v -.. .... .;.'.:..; If'hnrle'M .•tloiterwort.h Van 'P..clc[hl(> \A\ t\ I'eilon Van'. liooii'...-•• ■ ' . , .;-.'i..CiyurlPR.-'\Vilitiliii;<;'r •Niri."' IJitllw........'...:.'...;. ..AValj'f \ (..'atlett •IU>nf"--t' .lohn .tiufidg... ....; ..T.,»-vd •Nolan JJ;'«v.t I,oyde)',.. ► .. ,'i;'. ...:, . l.oulf- A'rmsU'orij; :<*• V '.V irrotor. . ... .'..v., ;..', '■:•.... ILIlmself V ":\->: .KHiiiffinW!!-:.. .4. i. • .v./^tertnan: lllrif: •'f ■ vxev'^ -Mike, .-... ..;.v..:..- . ..Ilotfftr - Imlinf. ♦:-.'ii'.-.y,.. .-:c;he«tcr:..Cniik|ln ■ I);in).-vy-:(lip ivfij; ;..-,, huclen -.I'rlval Ji. ',::\K' -.' ni l',iill<*e. C'iiniiii1s«ioni>V. . -... ....' ....... ";:.\ilrtan MorrlH II;. 'I .- ; .-V. : .v; .-, .-..,l<'i:;inr(s AU-Onniil'il >j', .>..;.....,.... .' .John . .InO'i-iHuno Hollywood, Dec. 21. :Melr.o-f?«tldwyii->layer : r(elea.H.e - ot::W.II)lam' Anthfin .y McGuji-e' fl- production. : Star.s.'Siel- KonTHKildy an»l . Kieanor :J'owp)1; , feTiTures: KranU ,.\li).rBa.n, itay HolRer; Klily 'Gilbert, Ednii .'Mal Ollvor; Tlona, ^rilSfi^y a'nd'- jli'Ki- nnld Owen.. .l)l|-(|.ote<1 by W: Sv VVin. D.vk . Prom st.age ,play Dy .Wlllliuri; Anthb.ny Mc- fj'ulre ..hd Ouy. -.Ro.ltnh; ^tireeniday by:- Mc-r, :GuJre; 'wordn -tind :Tnuslc: by; Col6 .T'or'tor; inu.i'lcal dlref'tor;' Jfer.bert: Stoirth!) rl; nui.'^l- 'rai' i?fespr\ta(.lo ,'• M«rrlji-.-J/.\v; d'uocea. - A'].- Kertihu IlaKt'Jii niii.sidal .oondiinlor',. Goori,'Vi Stpd; «rra;'nRt'.Hi.et')t«'; _ Hoijr^'iv-:. Ktic.h.M^ .vdfa'l and . ;or<;hpstra, a't'ran^riiienlH,- T.en. "Arnii.u'd, Muri.'ny. Ciitte.r,-iT.^fNm :Jt«ab -iifid 'I'aiil .ila't- ciunrdt;. ramerJi, Ollyei; .T. '-AVMr.-i'h:. jiiontaKe, SlavJid. ■ .V»)rki>i)loh;-: '.'lllm;: {edlior, Hlao.ohe ."-'ewrll. ■t»r«vleu'e.il Rt-VMIatte. llu-ati-.p;' Wci-t- wiMMl, Ded.. .1«,:- '37. - n.unnliit; tlrne;. IW inlns.-.. ::. 1..;: .''i'l/«.in'-'Edny '... l<j|c.ii:-fior Hovvf.ir ..: f'rahk'.-Morjian Jdna'.-May- .<:mve:r .:;. ;.,:. Jtay Bolijer ,. i. ;-1Tona jranse.v .Mili.v. (411 bip'rt ;.. -.Ttcplira Id 'Owen ;..-.''J.'6ik> Kutherurd i..-ii-..!.'.l-nyj:iit^!y.'5V>,l , '.•.•,; N'l.rslhrii: <1.n>y . .Cioorffe '/■iyrvo .:.,. .t>^t:Hr' O'-.mica ,..•... Jpi'r.v f.'olitnna '..:.:; Ju net ■-ilepiilier njcU.Thoriie.-,..,.,;., iioFal'le. ■KlnK;..v. .Qiieen ,'•.■.••,•, ..., .. _-, HIir.'Drlniy..,....., Brehda..-. .:;.Vi.'..., oloff..,;.. <'h.Tnr<!ir(jr,v, . Frince J-laj).( 0 lji-:Ti|,i.un.ejl. i,. XIary. I'll 11(1 iviM..',;; .M'^rivrirt. .'Vrn(-.tiff.. .. M i-.-, t 'lillalian',....' Tnspph.... J. Nl l.sK. Baker..- -.:.".'.. fiy w^Kit^v^^^ -Stjper-hiusical ' extravaganza i.s 'Rosalie." the most lavish, ornate; tin seled arid .glittering prbductiori Which ,has come, .from; Holly wood. A Ftage play .0 rtce con fined wi thin- thie ■ 1 iberal proscenium ot the Nbw Amsterdam theatre -CN. Y.). where .Marilvn Mil- ler .scintillated for the Ziegfeld mari- a^eriient.' itbrealc.sthrbuRh the .chrysallis.'of celkilbid o.s:ft-.m^mnio'lh fantasy.: : It is a.25p-poliii.a qlf. a ma!?- tiff olaYin? with, a ba^ of -twine, fin .elephant .doing ,a .toe darice, .iKvei-y:' .Ihirig about it is gigiintic, garganViliiri and .cyclopic—except the box-bfflce values. These corisist of NelSoU Eddy; as a lirie-phiriging West Point cadetr baritone; Eleainor. 'Powell, a diancing.: Balkan Priricess; IFranik Morgan and Edna May - Oliver, afriusing musical comedy king and queeni and a light Operetta story, which, is presented: on. the scale btvCibiria/: Ready for hp 1^ day release,' it is aintjed. at the kid- dies, provided ; they can be tied into their seats for two hours without b rrip up;:the aisle;_':'-;'-::" :'::' There is ;ai tipbff in the first 10ft feet: that, whatever 'else 'Rosalie' is gping to be, it is out tb smash all rec- ords, for size. ■ Openirig: shots (from' the newsreels) ^show 8U,00Q cheering msiniacs at' an Army-Navy .football game. - Down: on the field Nelson ■ifiddy; is doubling for the cadet Who wears .'45' on ; his shirt. :: Ray Bblger : (nivore later) .gets into the gia^me la>ng enough : to .fuhible. the Navy in.to. a tpuchdownt and then Eddy intercepts a .pass. chahges his .pace, d<}dges a tackier and .^cbres for Arniy,. Theire is no try fbr.pbint, so the.:ganne:'ends sixrali, ; which: should satiisf/ thei ex-. tiibitbr's iri -Baltimoire* Scene cfiahges to' a Vassar dormi^ V)ry,- "where . ;Miss Powell , is . telling her classiriateis that . Eddy. is. a con- ceited—yoUng^niiin_.whbm_she-ney,et; Wishes: to see -again., SoOri, however, she . hears .'his voice iri -:a iserehade.- They. rriake a date, to .meet at festival time>iri the Balkan capitatl, cdnie next spring. : It's a bit far away from Poughkeepsiei but; Eddy has ari;;air-' plane, aind .what Lindbergh did'.lie can-do.;..;And-doesi •: it 'is: ia- ;the" festival scerieis- thiat Rosalie'; really shoWs - its.' cinematic girth. Setting fot* the peasant's folk dances seenis as: .big as Soldiers'. Field, .:"Chicago,:,.which: means .there are': hundreds . bf Albertiha: Aasch dancers. .• thbuskrtds of costdmed; ^ex- tras arid innumerable pthers; In the riiidst of; this: enseirible Miss Powell does ari; acrobatic tap atop:son)e nias- sive . drums : Which niust .have been very' difficult even: if it is riot very graceful,. :';: --•■•:.; ::...^jhdle,;:i^^ at. its.,hcight,; the red-menace::of revplutibri breaks 0 ut. . The royal family and household escape to i, America by . steaniship. Eddy, decides to fiy back to; West Point, in his airplane, 'Bdlger (ihOrc liiter.) goes- "by ;.:bOat. ' Th^' .dis^ guished yisitprs- \are.. entiertained:- at the; Academy, 'where., Miss',Powell masquerades' as a. eiade't." .tftiife 'ibVe'rs a re r eu ri i ted. m il i ta r y .'a uthor ities for- give Eddy for breakihi the; rules by, making ah; Atlantic .aerial round .itrip; without perrriissibn,',a'nd the wedding day is .set. The bid PalissMles^ 'which haye' seen plenty, never viewed suih nuptials, TheVe are' iO nriassive or- Wa'iter... Raymond P.^JBe anil-'JTl.'i OrchipHlra Be,nhy .Cidod'tniin ;«nd His Orehisst(-.a'; -. It Was bburid tp - happen Sooner t>r later; the films haye taken one Of thie better known ..radio : prpgrariris arid have: reversed ; the: picture preview idea by ifilmirig the 'Hollywood: Hotel' air hour..; It's a smash musical eriter- ttiiriment,; with .a liv-My and. amusing story , and some popular: ;sorig num- bers, : There's box office draw in this one;:;for all. theatres, from; first runs to the,smanest houses;. ;■ ■.. .Warners has' a.ssembled an excel- lent cast, npl : the> least interesting of .whom;is libuella (5.' Parsons," news-, paper columnist; who riiakes ah ef-: fective ;debut;a5. an actress . . Her performance; is • riot 1 jkel y. to disturb Katharine Gornell or; Heiert Hayes aind the ppsitibris they becupy; in: the theatre,: b.ut Miss: iParsbris Is hersielf. on the screeri, - and that's riews. .' She.'gets away with it' .: Production is elaborate; and Busby Berkeley's direction ' keeps the piay- er.s going iat top. speed; in leading roles are Dick Powell, Rosemary and Lola Lariisv - Hugh Herbert, Ted Healey. Gjenda Farrellv Alan •Mow- bray, DUane, rrThOmpson, Grant Mitchell iarid; iMgiar; Keririedy. ; Spe.^ cial orchestra nurhbers are Supplied Paige :;Hol.ly.wbbd fl liri stiidibs; arid broad-' casting; are the basiis of ;'a farcical story which Pokes furi at both the picture-hiaking business' and the radio industry^:, .Story is. by • .Jerry Wald arid ■ Maurice; Leo,. who ' have developed a satire, which is originiil: and .huriioi'ou;s: : :Eight musical- hum-: ber's are. by Whiting .and Merceif;, bes^ of which are Tm Like a Fish Out oiE Water' and 'Silhoiieted in the Moon- Mght.'. These and perhaps; several "others are likely to get humcroUs :airings..,:;;■-..^■,:;./',.'; ;. J- ■ All.; the;Abetter: knbwri ;Hollywood places of interest .la re; shOWri' iri the picture, includini( the exterior of the Holly wood ;' Hotel fpn. Holly wobd .Blvd.,;now a.not-tbo-promirient hb's-; telry. . Once the ;camei-as enter the door cbrisiderable license has been tajK'eri "with/ th'ie' iiiteribri^^^ a conrbinatibri of the Waldorf lobby and the Mme. DuBarry bbudoii', Even .the film studios have been bur- lesqued. One of them boasts a huge sign which, says. 'Miracle Pictures: .If .It's a Good PictUrej It'k a Miracle/ That's been a trade gag in the east for some time, but first tihie given such wide ii.sage. Lane sistei-s, Rosemary and Lola, turn in; good perfbrtnances. and Ted Heaiy and Hugh Herbert have some very funny material; pick Powell's song numbers 'are first rate. 'Hollywood Hotel' wiJi be a busi-' ness stinriulator ,and is well timed to follow right m after the. holiday buildup. • run: MANNEQUIN ' (WITH SONG) > . Hollywood, Dee. 21. v Metro-GoiclNyyn-Mnyer roleaflo :of Josejih, II. ■ Manklcwlcz .^roduptlon,'.. StjVrB ; "^oiin.: Crawford.' Spender:. Tracy; ..feM Urea A la ni .CurDs; • Ralph. Morfian. Dlreotoil \\y- Fi-a ii)^ Boi-zaKe. Story by . JCatherlne .Brush I Hcrt'.oji- plaS by'Xnwrehce Hiza.rd; muBk-al (jcore. bv Edwar'd ^i^'ftrd;'cninerti,- :Oeoi'Re. li'ol.s-ey; «"lltor, Frederick. Y. Shilth; »«>nK.-.•.•VhvuyH iind Always,' by Rdwrtrd \'^fai;d, Boh Wr.ljiht ityd Chet P.orreBt. PrevJ<)wed at Vlllaue theatre, Westwbod; Callt;,:; I'ljec.' 1^, ''AT..., Running time. ,02.mlns. Je.sHle Cn'Bfddy.'... .•; .'. . .:; .Toh.i T/.- HehneasBy ...... E<ldi© Miller,..,.>'. >• • ' BrlKPiJ.'.. • <;?• •.«• ITo'ry.J,. -. ■. ......f.'. -^.'i '•Pa' Cosflldy.,. .■..,-,'.■..;. Mrs. Casaldy., ....... • GirfTord.,.;..'(....,.. (. ■ ..-. i.Toan ; Crawford ■ .... .Spencyr Trac>.v ;.;..;. , AI;m Cui;lls ......ItHlph -Mofpaiv .. .. .Vfary ,1'hllirpB ,.... iOw-ar .O'Shea .Klly,al.M'l.h 1^J<?d'«Sn ■.. . . ;. -. T.oo ' Oorcey One of the : best . Joan .Crawford; :. starring pictures in- 'several seasoiis, ; 'Mannequin' is a down 'tb earth storjr; • interestingly related, excellently di-r rected by Frank Bo^zage, and splen- ■ didly acted by Miss Criawford; Spcri- c^r.Tracy, • "o is co-starred; ^arid .a:: hand-picked cast. Anri'ong the ..supr.-. .. porting; players .' ..a hewcomer of ■:' prospects,; Alan Curtis; heretofore a -' sniali bit aiptbr, 'who;;ha^ his big; . ehance:- and.makes the nriost'of it. . Filrii is- pointed v; Office receipts and v;ill' reyiye th? , Crawford faii fbllpwing.'.. There is'nbthing wrong arid every- (ing^^i^ght-^Wi^^ based on a'sbun^ "stbry.'by Katheririe;;': Brush which has been deftly adapted •' by: Lawrence Hazard. Yarn touches ;. some of the current -economic iprob:* • lems, but the. treatment of the! cap- ital-labor issue is, wholly, incidental to the romantic atigles. There' is no , preachment or inclusion of' cpritrp-' Versial text. Borzage excels in; this; • kind of story^ which-deals with the^ emotional .reflexes of : metropolita n; men and Women. His characters are ' shrewdly drawn, his b'ack'grburids au- , thentic and real.; .• ^','-'■%.'•• - . • •The Crawford-Tracy combination is good .showmanship; It is ; their / first;joint appearance, and beca,u.se' they' are distinctly opposite types,:;.. they are ; suited to the cpriflicts of • the story..; . /. .,;.':-" It's the old standby plot of the girl of the tenements; Who forces herself ... ',. frorii her envirbrim^nt..arid climbs ii\ y- the world* ;New..'aspect is that • the: : \yOrld has';changed^ and the men she -. ^meets;. and.. the: conditions encouri- tered..are mbderri. • :-.;,-■■--, -,•'-" ■: Borzage .unfolds . a ! discouraging : view of presentrday;.,teriemerit dwell-; ' eiirs,.their dwarfed viewpoints,- the in- equalities of > the domestic and eca- ; norilic : setup, arid., the depressing ef- - feet of Government relief, and what it cbsts in sel^Trespect. ■' Daughter ot a Hester street family marries- a chap fronj: .uptowri hoping therebyitb escape from her. surround-;; ings. The boy she marries,;:Whb pbse-f as aVrtiariager: of prize-fighter.s. turris out to be a lazy, gobd-fdrrriothirig;. .- She leaves him after he propbses sh* ■: help hirii in a blackmail, scheme. V:- Then she irieets a rough, .successful operator of a : line of ;harbor' tug- ; boats, a chap: who .is .uncouth but; . like ;herself, has set a mark of: de-;. cency 'and strives to attai n.: it. They; ' arie iriarried, travel to Europe foif ai honeymoon, and returri to New. York at the' rnorrtent' when labor troubles ;: destroy: the hushahd's .business;, A;t the sarne . tinte, husband NO.nI, .still intent pn blackmail, annoys the, RirU The ending,. :sbihewhat involved, is . developed saiti^factori ly.: Girl's role te"closer to the kind of; characterization which - won Mj.ss ;■ Crawford, her: ear.lier big followinjg; than she has had in sbrrie .time. Cur- -" tis is the ne'er do well and giVes a.. orOperly villairipus performance, best. feature of which is. a gradual insight of the despicable- side bf his .n.ature, He never overdoes ..his stuff , and b.e- cause he. ha^ youth,: si}c.,feet of heft: and-spme^ooks—he-risTjikelyi-tb-be-ra— valuable adjunct to the M-G stock' players. .Tracy, as the self-made tiigr :'... boat capitalist, has; his - serious ;rrip- ■ merits and gives a convincing; per-, ... fprmanpe. . . .;.v;■'''-,- --:-'; : But the filnn is primarily Borzage's.' .;- Without, the. attnpsphere he creates arid, the rriOverifient- of. his characters: through believable situations. .'Man- neiquiri-. would: be . routine 'eritertain- '■• -; ment.. He has highly: capable assist- ance, particularly.-. -from.; Elizabeth Risdori, mother of the tenement farii-: ily, and Oscar Q'Shea, defeated father ; :who makes i^oeeches; about the meth- ods of the. Washington admini.stra- tion. Leo Gorcey, one Of the orig- : inal 'Dead End' boys, is inclined to ; overplay' ai kid brother. Ralph Mor- gan provides a smooth foil for 'Tracy. Everything of productfon help has •: been - furnished by Joseph L.-. Man- ;kie,wicz, ::.MiSs Crawford Vcvooh.s ai . song entitled, 'Alway.s and Always,* Which has a. catchy air. :and all th» mechanical features are' first rate. • - 'Mannequin' should re-establish Miss Criawford as an important ex- hibitor asset. . :•;'• ' '.;;;'.•: • Flin.. Toima oEAHD^dp C. N. O'Deli, attached 1p the Par-- amount home office publicity depart- meht,; is one of!the younger grand- pops in the industry with birth Sun- day. (12) of a daughter. Ami; to the Ralph A. Elliotts in Washington. • O'Deli i» lit his 40s. ■;■ ^