Variety (May 1939)

14 VARIETY fHiM reviews Wednesday, May 31, 1939 TARZAN FINDS A SON Hollywood, May 27. iMelro rtleose o( Sam Zlmballat produc- tlon. Peaturcn Jobnny Welinmuller nnil HaureeD O'Sulllvan. Directed by RlrhanI Thorpe. Screenplay by Cyril Hume. Uaecd on obaracters created by Edear Rice lJur- rouffha. Camera, Leonard Smith; editors, Frank Sullivan and Geno Rueclero. Frc- vlewcd' at Carthay ITIrcle, May IH), '30. Running time, 81 MINS. Tarzan Johnny Welnsmullcr Jane Maureen O'Sulllvan Boy John Shellleld Mr. Lancing Inn Hunter Sir Thomas Loncing Henry Stephenson Mm. Landns Frieda Inescort Mr. Sinnde Henry Wllcoxon Mn. Rlch.tnl Uinclng Laralne Dny Ur. Richard Lancing Morton Lomry 'Tarzan Finds a Son' carries more credulity and believable jungle ad- venture than the l^ng list of pre- ceding Tarzan features unwound at intervals during the past 20 years. Ape-man's chummy attitude with the wild beasts of the jungle, and his tree-swinging acrobatics, elaborated .on previously, have been minimized here. Picture is a cinch setup for the kids, and may catch on for nominal biz in the action houses. It's under a handicap due to absurdities and wildly impossible situations identi- fied with Tarzan and spread pretty thick in the several preceding Tarzan features and serials turned out in bound film. Tarzan and the Missus save a baby In wrecked plane that crashes in the jungle. At age of five, Tarzan is proudly teaching his accepted son the jungle lore, when a searching party arrives to establish death of the baby, who. has come into heavy inheritance in England. Ian Hunter and Frieda Inescort are out to grab the inheritance for themselves, and start plotting death of Tarzan and snatch of the youngster. But while they are at cross-purposes with Tarzan, the Missiis consents to trip of the kid to the outside and ac- companies the party through a savage tribe domain. Natives capture the safari and start a wild cele- bration of death in their village. Boy escapes through stockade to bring Tarzan and a herd of elephants to completely wreck the village in a wild stampede that routs the savages. There are animal thrills and stunts aplenty throughout the picture. Stock shots of wild life have been i^eaUy intercut; while a fight be- tween hyenas ;md leopards in the jungle is a thriller. Naturally, youngster's wanderings from the jungle home provide opportunity for the kid to be chased—and he is on several occasions—by rhinos, alliga- tors, lions and .hyenas. Youngster also goes perilously near th'e falls for a rescue by Tarzan; and at another point is saved in the nick of time from the web of a tarantula tribe. Underwater episodes, in which Tarzan and the boy play for long periods, is exceptional and highly interesting. For added interest, baby elephant pal of the boy is along for some splashing, and this episode is a top spot in the picture. Johnny Weissmuller has made three previous Tarban features, and athletically runs and swims through as the ape-man in okay fashion. Miss O'Sulllvan is the jungle wife, and gets in some good dramatic work in battling against herself to give up the youngster to the outsiders. Tarzan's boy, little John Sheffield, does nicely and performs his athletic chores satisfactorily. Kid takes di- rection easily, and might get over in other pictures aside from the Tarzan group. Balance of cast is nicely set up for what they have to do. ProductionaUy, picture is top grade in all technical departments. African jungle locale for back- grounds is one of the best jobs of its kind turned out in Hollywood for some time. Camera work throughout is excellent—same goes for. the sound department which blended the jungle sounds neatly for background effects on the sound track. The underwater shots, taken in Florida, will merit attention from technical standpoint. With a minimum of dialog, and script concentrating on action and animal antics, picture Is a likely setup for good biz in the foreign field; requiring minimum of voice dubbing. Richard Thorpe's dliectlon moves along at a speedy pace, and he takes fullest advantage of cute antics of the ape Cheetah, and the baby elephant, for some elemental comedy. 6,000 ENEMIES Hollywood, May 24. Metro release of Luclen Hubbard produc- tion. Features Walter'Pldgcon and Rita Johnson. Directed by George U. Soltz. Screenplay by Bertram Mllltaanser; based on story |>y Wllnion Meuard and Leo L. Stanley; camera, John Seitz; editor; Con- rad A. Nervlg. Previewed at Alexander, Glendale, 2iIoy 23, '39. Running time, 61 ateve Donegan Waller Plilgeon Anno Bnrry Rita Johnson Dr. Malcolm Scott Paul Kelly 'Socks' Martin Nat Pendleton Joe Sllenus Harold Huber Warden Parkhutet Qrant Mitchell Phil Donegnn John Arlrdge Dan Barrett J. M. Kerrigan 'Bull' Snyder Adrian Morris llnxle Ouinn Williams Dawson Arthur Aylesworth •Wlbbla' Tern.... Raymond Hatton *Dulch' Myers Lionel Royce Bnnsom iv^?,"" Jt'*"' Vfnntc Willie Fung ' 'Peaehle' Helena Phillips ]3vnnn Uatron '. Esther Dale holds plenty of he-man material to rate it as a good supporter in the secondary first runs and nabes. It's a standard B offering, with especial attraction for the kid trside. Walter Pidgeon, relentless prosecu- tor, is framed for a one to 15 year prison stretch after being elected d.a. [nside the walls, he's tossed around and is a' marked man for vengeance of many inmates that he sent up the road. Gains respect and admiration of the convicts by taking a terrific beating in a boxing match. Let in on the proposed break, he frustrates wholesale delivery Ly turning steam on passageway leading to the un- guarded back gate. Pidgeon returns to his old df.a. post to convict racketeer boss, Harold Huber, re- sponsible for wholesale framings and murders. Script has been neatly set up to eliminate unnecessary sequences, and director George B. Seitz main- tains interest throughout with a breezy and suspenseful pace, al- though at times yarn di s deeply into over-theatric situations. Prison sets and episodes are realistic, with a mess hall riot particularly well executed. Pidgeon carries force and con- viction as the prosecutor, and has a herioic attitude when forced to face the many prisoners he had sent up. Rita Johnson, framed on embezzle- ment charge and inmate in the women's section, does nicely as ro- mantic interest opposite Pidgeon. Paul Kelly is decidedly sympauetlc as the prison doctor, while Nat Pendleton is okay as gangster out to get the attorney. Balance of cast is adequate. Miniature Reviews 'Tarzan Finds a Son' (M-G). Most logical Tarzan offering so far. Good for the kids and sat- isfactory for the family trade. '6,00« Enemies' (M-G). Prison meller with action aplenty. Standard B supporter for duals and action houses. 'Jamaica Inn* (Par). Charles Laughton in a melodrama from a best-selling novel. Should get good but not sensational b.o. The Oppenhelms' (Amkino). Filmization of Feuchtwanger's novel about Nazi persecution; of limited audience appeal. Itacketeers of the Bange' (RKO). iStandard western that wUl please in the action houses. JAMAICA INN (BBITISH-MADE) London, May 20. Associated British-Paramount release ot Muyflon-er production. Stars Charles Laugh- ton. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, Screen play. .Sidney Gllllat, Joan Harrison, from novel by Daphne du Maurler; dialog, Sid- ney ailllat. J. B. Priestley; camera. Harry SIradllng. Bernard Knowlcs. . At the Re- gal, London, Running time: 99 MUiS. Sir Humphrey Pengallan..Charles Laughton Butler Horace Hodges Groom Hay Petrie Agent Frederick Piper Joss Merlyn Leslie Banks Patience Marie Ney Mary Maureen O'Hara Harry the Peddler ISmlyn Williams .Salvation Watklns Wylle Watson Jem Tretaeame Robert Newton Roy Stephen Haggard Tenant .....William Devlin Friend Basil Radford Friend Jeanne de Casalls dialog, splendid suspense, artistic production, good photography and intelligent direction. Acting Is com- petent with the lone drawback being the lack of marquee names. 'Secret Journey' should get by here, and has a fair chance In America duals. International spy story deals with the theft of the formula for a new cartridge. The hero is a British secret-service agent who poses as an irresponsible philanderer. After her persistent pleading, he consents to let his sister cooperate' with him to make the acquaintance of a German general via the medium of the Teu- ton's son, an artist Young German and girl fall in love, thus resulting in the usual comolications. Jolo. Superb direction, excellent casting, expressive playing and fine pro- duction offset an uneven screenplay to make 'Jamaica Inn' a gripping version* of the Daphne du Maurier novel. Since it's frjuikly a blood-'n'- thunder melodrama, the story makes no pretense at complete plausibility. But it has a sturdy basic situation, vivid characterization, rampant ac- tion, steadily mounting suspense and recurrently arresting cinematic touches. In short, everything for potent business but several marquee names. Cast has extraordinary per- formance strength,. but Charles Laughton, is the only sure b.o. 'draw. Yam concerns a gang of smugglers and shipwreckers on the Cornish coast in the early 19th centuiy and the district squire who is their im- dercover brams. Young naval of- ficer joins the band to secure evi- dence against them and a young girl who comes from Ireland to stay with her aunt saves him from being hanged by the desperadoes. Balance of the story is a development of the chase technique. Atmosphere of the seacoast and the moors <5 strikingly recreated and the action scenes have a headlong rush. Withal, there are frequent hits of brilliant camera treatment and injections of salty humor. It's a ^ical Alfred Hitch- cock direction job. Laughton has a colorful, sinister part in the villainous squire with a strain of insanity. It's an expansive part, somewhat along the lines of his Capt. Bligh, and he makes it an enormously engrossing trouper's field day. Maureen O'Hara, i newcomer still In her teens, is a looker and plays satisfactorily in the limited confines of the ingenue part, but is made up to look entirely too sophisr ticated for the character. Leslie Banks gives an admirably restrained performance as the fierce leader of the gang, wisely avoiding bluster and permitting the portrayal to shine through from within. Marie Ney brings conviction to the role of his wife and the others of the nearly- all-legit cast are eminently per- suasive. Picture could stand judi- cious cutting, but is otherwise ex- cellent entertainment. The Oppenheim Family (BUSSIAN-MADE) Amkino release o( Mosfllm production, Directed by Gregory Roshal. Scenario by Seradma Roshal, from novel by Lion Feuchtwnnger; music by Nikolai Krlukov. At Cameo. N. T.. week May 23, '30. Run- ning time, 07 MINS. Rerthold Oppenheim....-...V. P. Balashov Martin Oppenheim I. M. Tolchanov T.lselotte A. I. Voltalk Edgar Oppenheim N. S. Plotnlkov Ruth Oppenheim G. L. Mlnovltskoya Sybil R. D. Esslpova Jacques Lavendel O. N. Abdulov Henry Lavendel S. D. Zlkov Jacobl S. M. Mlkhoels Francois S. I. Doeprov T^renz A. I. Blagonravov Weller - N. I. Bogolyubov Pachlnko V. R. Solovlev Rlchord A. A. Konsovskl Vogelsang M. F. Astangov Rlttersteg K. D. Karalsklkh Qutwetter 3. A. Martinson SINGING COWGIRL (WITH SONGS) Grand National nieasa o( Coronado pre- ductlon; executive producers, George Hlrll- man, Don Lleberman, Features Dorothy Page, David O'Brien, VInce Barnett. Di- rected by Samuel DIege. Adaptation, Arthur Hoerl. Bongs, Al Sherman. Walter Kent and Milton Drake; camero. Max Stengler: editor, Guy V, Thayer, Jr, At Arena, N. T., dual, week May'26, '39, Running time, SO MINS. Dorothy Rendrlck Dorothy Page Dick Wllllama David O'Brien Kewple Vlnce Barnett Tom Harklns Ed Flel Billy Harklnn DIx Davis John Tolen Stanley Price 'Gunhnnd' Qnrrlck Warner Richmond Norti Pryde Dorothy £hart Rex Hnrklns^ ..Paul Barrett Dr. Slocum Lloyd Ingrahnm SherlR Toaslry .....Ethan Allen Trigger* Wllklns Ed Gordon Deputy ShorlR Merrill McCormlck Prison melodrama saturated with action and excitement With the Intrigue and execution of a wild ftrlsnn break for a climax, this one SECRET JOURNEY (BRmSH-HAUE) London, May 19. .\nglo-Amerlcan production and release. Features Basil Radford, Silvia Si. Claire, Thorley M'alters, Directed by John Baxter. Adapted from story, 'Lone Wolves,' by Charles Robert Domes; camera, James Wil- son,. At Cambridge, London. Running time, 71 MINS. John Richardson Basil Radford Helen Richardson Hllvin St. Claire Max Von Rangwltz Thorley Waltera General Von Raugnltz....Peter Canthorne Inspector Welter George Hayes Rcnolt Tom Helmore Colonel Blondin Joss Ambler This is a consistently reasonable tale, with 'good, often brilliant, (In Rrissian; with English Titles) For once the Soviets have turned out a propaganda picture without pro-Commimist bias, but the effort lacks showmanship and is' disap- pointing drama. "The Oppenheim Family,' adapted from Lion Feucht- wanger's novel, The Oppermanns' (reportedly with the author's help) is the story of a Jewish family's per- secution oy Berlin Nazis. Despite the timeliness of its theme, it lacks the entertainment qualities for broad appeal; The film's treatment of Nazi race bigotry and barbaric cruelty seems authentic enough, while its por- trayal of the suppression of free thought in the schools and the con- centration camp terror is all too familiar to everyday newspaper readers. But that customary in- ability of the Russians to appreciate the value of pace in story-telling has rarely been more evident The pic- ture takes 97 minutes to put over an idea that Hollywood could punch home in half the footage. There's no denying the film's pro- jection of character, for the parts have been cast with admirable dis- regard for HoUywoodian ^amor. But the producers have fallen into the usual rut of choosing only out- right villainous types for Nazi parts. It seems reasonable to suppose that many of the HiUer storm troopers are merely misguided young Ger- mans rather than deep-dyed stock- company heavies. That many of them may be rather handsome and sincere Teutons doesn't lessen the Nazi brutality—it actually accentu- ates the tragedy. But tlie Soviets seemingly cannot admit that a vil- lain may look otherwise than vil- lainous. It's a common failing, but it weakens the effectiveness of 'Op penheim,' The picture also has numerous glaring production fiaws—obvious bits of the sort Hollywood solved years ago. As an example, the camera shows (and the cutter has allowed to remain) long-shots of the otherwise attractive Ingenue, G. L. Minovitskaya, with the thick- est ankles that ever distracted an audience's attention. That is charac- teristic, rather than exceptional. The cutting Is wretched throughout, since it permits the story to dawdle and yet chops up the continuity confus- ingly, while the photography and sound aren't much better. There is still evidence of power in Feucht- wanger's story, but the studio has hashed the compulsion out of It Although the direction has so palpably flubbed the technical phases of the production, it has elicited per- suasive performances from all the principals. A. I. Voltslk and R. D. Essipova are unusually good-looking leading women. Hobe. Class 'C western falling far short of acceptable standards. Crooning Dorothy Page is featured as a sing- ing cowgirl rancher. Her boxoSice possibilities are nil In this type of role, generally assigned to tough hombres or two-fisted but gentle western heroes. In a pinch, will fill bottom notch on double program. Action meller is barren of nov- elty. Crooked lawyer and gang of ouUaws plan to take possession of a ranch on which presence of gold Is suspected. They murder its owner and his wife and almost succeed in wiping out the sole survivor, a lad of eight Intervention of neighbor- inf rancher (Dorothy Page) and a drifting cowboy (David O'Brien) foils the plot and they bring gang to book in rough and tumble gun- fight Performances of Miss Page and O'Brien are acceptable although the latter is held down by the director and given a subordinate role and lines that should be his instead of the girl's. Warner Richmond as a. killer and Stanley Price as a crooked lawyer and leader of the mob make a shambles of the art of murder. Vince Barnett usually de- pended on for comedy. Is given little to do, hence he's wasted. There is some excellent scenery, riding and a superfluity of gunplay, but these are overshadowed by crass and cruel killings that have seldom been exceeded in any western. 'Prairie Boy,' one of the trio of songs sung by Dorothy Page, is made the theme song in an attempt to get over mother-love for an orphaned boy. Other two numbers are nondescript mustang chants. Cuando Canta La Ley (WITH SONGS) (SPANISH DIALOG) (In Spanish; no English titles) Hollywood, May 26. Paramount release of Darlo Farella pro- duction. Stars Tito Gulzar; features Tana, Marting Garialaga, Paul Bills, Pilar Areos. Directed by Richard Harlan, Screenplay by Enrique TlhthofT. Songs, Tito Gulzar and Neuette Noriega; dialog director, Gab- riel Navarro; camera. Jerry Ash and Wil- liam Slekner; asst. director, William Far- alla. Previewed in Projection Room, May 23, '30. Running time, 77 MINS, Alberto GaUlndo Tito Oulzar Maria Lulsa Pineda Tana Adobe Martin Garralnga Eduardo Pineda Paul Ellis Rosa Pineda Pilar Areos Br. VasQuez Jose Tortosa Montoya Carlos Ruffino Jose Carlos Montalban Pedro Raoul Lechuga Miguel Jose Pena Pepet Chico Arroylto This is the fourth and final In se- ries of Spanish dialogers starring Tito Gulzar produced by Darlo Fa- ralla for Paramoimt's Latin market. To fill those requirements, picture will stand up neatly for some satis- factory grosses. Will also catch at- tention in the Mexican houses on this side of the border for profitable biz. Story is laid along the Texas- Mexican border, with Gulzar a Mexi- can secret service operative on the trail of a murderer. Befriending Martin Garralaga, pair are hired by Tana, girl-owner of an extensive ranch. Plot and cross-plot with plenty of intrigue, dastardly doings and romance between Gulzar and Tana, provides an entertaining story structure. Guizar gets his man, after several fast chases and delivery of five well-spotted songs. Guizar will be a popular western star to audiences in the southern countries. He displays a good per- sonality, puts over his songs in fine style, and rides and shoots his way through trouble. Tana is acceptable as romantic interest with comedy capably supplied by Garralaga. Picture has some excellent chase shots, with horses dashing up and down cliffs in thriller rides. Pro- duction carries values in all depart- ments, especially uniformly excell- ent photography which would qual- ify for features in much higher budget brackets, and with more lengthy shooting schedules. TITLE CHANGES Hollywood, May 30, 'Clouds Over Europe' is new title for 'Q Planes' at Columbia, Warners switched from 'Family Affair' to 'Daughters C^ourageous,' 'The Singing Swinger' is latest tor TCiS - handle for Caruso' at Warners. The Fighting Irish' became 'Laughing Irish Hearts' at Republic. 'Playing with Dynamite' is final tag for Tprchy^ Dead or Alive' at Warners. THE MISSING PEOPLE (BBITISH-IHADE) London, May 20. Grand National production and release sun will Fylle; features Lyn Hordlni;' Kay Walsh. Directed by Jack RaymonS! Screenplay, Ludla Haywnrd, from story by- Edgar Wallace; camera, George stretton. a ^fJCJ"'*"' ^"'"•'•n' Running time. 60 MINS, Mr, Reader will FylTe Peggy Gillette Kay Walsh Joseph Bmnstone Lyn Hardlnir Sam Hackett Ronald Shiner Rurtee^. Ronold Adam Doris Sevan Patricia Roo Ernest Branstone Anthony Holies Horry Morgan Reginald Purdell "The Missing People' is a delight- fully naive and amiable, though im- plausible, melodrama, all on one key, with macabre musical accompani- ment There are only occasional comedy scenes, while the plot Is 'a penny dreadful,' a British colloquial- ism, the equivalent of U. S. dime novels. Cannot aspire to anything beyond a small programmer on this side. It's another In the series of 'Mr. Reeder* pictures that Will Fyffe has been making here for Grand Na- tionaL Mr. Reeder is Scotland Yard detective again, practically re- tired, but who bobs up at the most opportune moments when the Yartl is baffled. In this Instance the po- lice have to cope with a series of 27 mysterious disappearances. All the victims had been in receipt of monthly cash remittances, by regis- tered mail, but the regular communi- cations cease directly the recipients fade out of the plctut«. But it's in- evitable that Reeder's charmed life should serve in good stead as ha solves the case. Will Fyffe, as always, gives an in- ^atlating characterization. Support- ing cast IS -competent Jolo. Racketeers of the Range (WITH SONGS) Hollywood, May 25. RKO release ot Bert Gllroy production. Stara George O'Brien, Directed by D. Ross Lederman. Screenplay by Oliver Drake; story, Bernard McConvllle; camera, Harry Wild; editor, Frederic Knudtson. Pre- viewed In FroJecUon Room, May U, '39. Running time, 61 MINS. Barney O'Dell George O'Brien Whopper Chill Wills Helen Marjorls Reynolds Penny Ci\y .Seabrook Whltlock Robert FIske Benson k John DUson LarkIn Monte Montague Hank Bud Osborne Dutcta Hen (^orbett Ray Uay Whitley Flash Onrtufl Mack Skeeter Frankle Marvin Standard setup for a George O'Brien western, providing plenty of fast riding, gunplay, rough-and- tumble fights, and the usual villainy. Picture grooves nicely for the west- ern trade. O'Brien in this one is an Arizona cattle-rancher who prevents an in- dependent packing firm from selling out to the combine to protect prices for his neighboring ranchers. Plenty of skullduggery by the combine to lick him, including rustling of his cattle with fleet of trucks; but O'Brien and his cohorts win out in the end. Although the heavies make use of fast cars and trucks in their rides around the country, O'Brien and his followers flnd it convenient to over- take both trucks and a cattle train on horseback. Rather obvious in the picture, but will be overlooked by western-minded audiences. O'Brien Is okay in the hero spot, with Marjorie Reynolds opposite for romance and displaying good per- sonality and flare for getting over ability. Gal can ride, and easily spotted as thoroughly competent astride a horse in both long shots and closeups. any riding doubles seem unnecessary here. Final chase, in which O'Brien and his followers overtake the com- mandeered cattle train and dispose of the band of heavies, is thrillingly displayed aboard the moving train. Sequence shows some outstanding work by the studio technical staff, which is on par with process back- grounds inserted in .top-budgeted pictures. Several cowboy ditties (uncredited) have been inserted, with Chill Wills leading the string quartet. Wills also gets over some elemental comedy with Gay Seabrook which will get by with the western audiences. Di- rection by D. Ross Lederman It okay. Spoilers of the Range (WITH SONGS) Columbia production and release. Stars Charles Starrett; features Iris Meredith, Sons of Ploneera. Directed by C C. Cole- man, Jr. Original screenplay. Paul Fronk- lln; camera, Allen Slegler; editor, William Lyun; songa. Bob Nolan and Tim Spencer. At Colonial, Lincoln, dual. Running time, 6S MINS. Jeff Strong Charles Starrett Madge Patterson Iris Meredith T..obo Savage UIck Curtis Cash Fenton Kenneth MacDonald Sherlft Hank Bell Bob Bob Nolan Dan Patterson Edward LeSaInt David Rowland Forbes Murray Santos Art Mix Kendall Edmund Cobb Harper Kdward Pell, Sr. Not among the best of the Charles Starrett western series, 'SpoUers' still has enough to hold his audience. Story has too many halts to figure the next move to satisfy the average sagebrusher fan, who likes action, and plenty of it Narrative, an original by Paul Franklin, involves the frame of some ranchers by. a gambler, who gets (Continued on page 16)